NOAA today announced the initiation of plans with state partners in Alaska to identify Aquaculture Opportunity Areas in Alaska state waters, making Alaska the third region after Southern California and the Gulf of Mexico to identify such areas. NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service will seek public comments will be sought as the identification process advances.
In making the announcement, NOAA noted support for the effort from Alaska Native organizations, the Alaska Department of Fish and Wildlife, the Governor of Alaska, members of the Alaska legislature, and industry and research institutions.
NOAA Fisheries Asst. Administrator Janet Coit called said that Alaska is “uniquely positioned to benefit from a growing marine aquaculture industry,” adding that Aquaculture Opportunity Areas identification efforts “use the best available science, Indigenous Knowledge and collaboration with local communities to foster shellfish and seaweed aquaculture — benefiting Alaska’s Blue Economy.”
