NOAA Fisheries Identifies Aquaculture Opportunity Areas in Federal Waters of the Gulf of America

What is happening:

On September 19, 2025, a notice was published in the Federal Register (90 FR 45206, September 19, 2025) announcing the availability of the Final Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (FPEIS) for the Identification of Aquaculture Opportunity Areas (AOA) in U.S. Federal Waters of the Gulf of America . This FPEIS supports NOAA Fisheries' decision to identify three AOAs in federal waters of the Gulf of America , off the Texas coast.

The publication of the FPEIS and identification of AOAs concludes a multi-year planning effort to identify areas that may be environmentally, socially, and economically suitable for offshore aquaculture development in the Gulf of America.

This cross-agency effort continues advancing the objectives of President Trump's 2020 Executive Order "Promoting American Seafood Competitiveness and Economic Growth" and supports the 2025 Executive Order "Restoring American Seafood Competitiveness". This work aims to enhance regulatory efficiency and help to reduce the seafood trade deficit by empowering U.S. aquaculture production.

The three AOAs identified in federal waters of the Gulf of America range in size from 500 to 2,000 acres, and are potentially suitable to support finfish, seaweed, shellfish, and multispecies aquaculture operations. For more information about how NOAA Fisheries utilized a combination of scientific review, spatial analysis, and public input to identify these areas, visit the Identifying Aquaculture Opportunity Areas in Federal Waters of the Gulf of America website.

Where can I learn more about Aquaculture Opportunity Areas:

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Quick Glance Contact List for the NOAA Fisheries Southeast Regional Office

Permits Mailbox: The Permits Office in St. Petersburg, Florida now has a Permits mailbox in the front lobby (263 13th Ave. South, St. Petersburg, Florida 33701). You can now drop off original permits for permit transfers. Envelopes with information labels will be provided so that your documents can be attached to the correct application. The mailbox will be checked daily. For more information, contact the Permits Office at 877-376-4877.

Other contacts:

Media: Allison Garrett, 727-551-5750

Recreational Fishing Coordinator: Sean Meehan 727-885-4202