Topic
Aquaculture
The Aquaculture topic displays datasets representing aquaculture activities in state waters and proposed aquaculture activities in federal waters. There are currently no permitted commercial aquaculture facilities in federal waters in New England. Under the Aquaculture topic, the Portal also displays maps of state shellfish management areas and managed shellfish beds.
Latest Updates
2026-03-23 Updated Aquaculture Data Directly from the States
2026-02-17 Proposed Commercial Blue Mussel Mariculture Facility
Data Providers and Sources
- Maine Department of Marine Resources; Office of Geographic Information Systems
- New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services
- Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries
- Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management Division of Marine Fisheries; Geographic Information System
- Connecticut Department of Agriculture, Bureau of Aquaculture; Department of Energy and Environmental Protection
- New York State Department of State; Department of Environmental Conservation
- US Army Corps of Engineers New England District
- US Food and Drug Administration National Shellfish Sanitation Program
- US Census
Data Considerations
The states have provided data representing aquaculture activities in state waters for display in the Portal. The data are developed and maintained by the states, meaning that when states update or revise their data, the Portal will automatically reflect those updates. State aquaculture data sources include:
- Maine Aquaculture Lease Sites – provided by Maine Department of Marine Resources
- New Hampshire Shellfish Aquaculture – provided by New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services, Fish & Game Department
- Rhode Island Aquaculture Lease Sites – provided by Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management Division of Marine Fisheries
- Connecticut Aquaculture Gear Areas – provided by Connecticut Department of Agriculture, Bureau of Aquaculture
- New York Aquaculture Lease Sites – provided by New York State Department of State
The Portal also includes datasets depicting the footprint of proposed commercial aquaculture facilities in federal waters. Those data have been gleaned from permit applications submitted to the US Army Corps of Engineers by project proponents.
For an overview of aquaculture in the Greater Atlantic Region, including state and regional resources, and siting and permitting guidance, visit the NOAA Fisheries Aquaculture in New England and the Mid-Atlantic page.
Status
Aquaculture data were reviewed in early 2026 and individual state data sources were integrated. Check the metadata associated with each individual state data source for detailed status information.
Examples of Data
- Proposed Newport Mussel Farm 2026
- Maine Aquaculture Lease Sites (ME DMR)