The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has published its Atlas for Aquaculture Opportunity Areas (AOAs), identifying 77 locations suitable for sustainable shellfish and seaweed aquaculture operations in the Gulf of Alaska. The initiative forms part of NOAA’s efforts to strengthen the US seafood sector, reduce reliance on imports and support domestic job creation.
The AOA programme supports the Promoting American Seafood Competitiveness and Economic Growth and the Restoring American Seafood Competitiveness, both aimed at enhancing the competitiveness of the US seafood industry. NOAA has previously identified AOAs in federal waters in the Gulf of America and Southern California, with the Alaska atlas marking the first application of the process in state waters.
“Americans should have access to safe, healthy, locally produced seafood,” said Neil Jacobs, NOAA Administrator. “This atlas is a powerful source of coastal data, maps and analysis that will inform aquaculture development in the state of Alaska and reduce America’s reliance on seafood imports.”
Americans consume approximately US$15 billion worth of imported seafood each year, often sourced from countries with lower labour and environmental standards. NOAA aims to expand domestic aquaculture to complement wild fisheries, supporting coastal communities and improving the availability of high-quality, locally produced seafood.
“Alaska has more coastline than the rest of the nation combined, and we should be using that resource to its full potential,” said Mike Dunleavy, Governor of Alaska. “This atlas helps identify where aquaculture makes sense in our state waters. It will support creating new job opportunities, strengthen food security for Alaskans, and add to Alaska’s already tremendous seafood industry.”
The report can be accessed from – https://repository.library.noaa.gov/view/noaa/72440
