NOAA is asking the public to weigh in on the creation of Aquaculture Opportunity Areas in federal waters near Southern California and the Gulf of Mexico, as well as suggestions for future AOA sites.
The public will have until Dec. 22 to submit comments.
This announcement comes after the May release of an Executive Order on Promoting American Seafood Competitiveness and Economic Growth. NOAA Fisheries Assistant Administrator Chris Oliver last month said that growing the nation’s aquaculture industry is critical to expanding and stabilizing the sustainable seafood supply during uncertain environmental and economic times. It provides quality jobs, economic opportunities and a boost in seasonal tourism and commercial fishing.
For more, visit https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/aquaculture-opportunity-areas.
For questions about the RFI, reach out to Diane Windham, Aquaculture Coordinator, California NOAA Fisheries West Coast Region at diane.windham@noaa.gov.
