NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service today announced that it is seeking comments by Tuesday, Dec. 22 on the identification of geographic areas containing locations suitable for commercial aquaculture within the Gulf of Mexico and off Southern California, as well as areas that should be considered nationally for future Aquaculture Opportunity Areas.
This proceeding is being carried out in furtherance of the May 2020 Executive Order on Promoting American Seafood Competitiveness and Economic Growth, and following NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service recent announcement on the selection of Southern California and the Gulf of Mexico as the first regions that will host Aquaculture Opportunity Areas. Under the Executive Order, the Commerce Secretary is tasked with identifying a total of 10 such areas by 2025.
