Aug 20, 2026
In July 2026, NOAA issued a request for information (RFI) to collect information to help identify the next geographic region(s) of focus for Aquaculture Opportunity Areas (AOA) identification (read the complete Federal Register Notice). Input will be accepted through September 14, 2026. The public input provided in response to the RFI will inform NOAA as it works with other Federal agencies, Regional Fishery Management Councils, and in coordination with state, jurisdictional and tribal governments to identify AOAs nationally.
A listening session is scheduled for August 31, 2026 from 3-4pm EDT. Comments will be accepted at the meeting. Register to attend the Public Listening Session.
Submit all electronic public comments via the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal by September 14, 2026. Visit https://www.regulations.gov and type NOAA-NMFS-2026-2179 in the Search box. Click on the “Comment” icon, complete the required fields, and enter or attach your comments.
The RFI requests data, comments, views, information, analysis, or suggestions from the public to support the identification of AOAs in U.S. waters, including siting parameters that can be used to select potential areas for further analysis:
- Regions of the country where NOAA should consider analyzing for potential Aquaculture Opportunity Areas
- Types of aquaculture these areas may or may not support
- Water depths and distances from shore that should be considered
- Locations where the presence of aquaculture gear may overlap with areas used by fishing operations and other commercial users
- Locations where aquaculture gear may overlap with protected species like whales, dolphins, and sea turtles
- Areas that may be important for subsistence harvest or other cultural resources
- Areas that may be important for outdoor recreation or conserving natural resources
More information