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NOAA is taking major steps to expand domestic aquaculture and boost American seafood competitiveness. The agency has designated 13 Aquaculture Opportunity Areas (AOAs) totaling over 21,000 acres in U.S. federal waters – off the Gulf of America and Southern California. These areas are intended to support multiple commercial aquaculture projects, strengthen the nation’s seafood industry, reduce reliance on imports, and create high-quality American jobs.

The announcement coincides with the release of two final programmatic environmental impact statements for the Gulf of America and Southern California. These documents identify prime locations for aquaculture development and fulfill directives from President Trump’s 2020 Executive Order on promoting American seafood competitiveness and the 2025 Executive Order on restoring American seafood competitiveness. Together, these efforts aim to grow a robust, U.S.-focused seafood industry that prioritizes American workers and consumers.

Currently, Americans consume roughly $15 billion in farmed and imported seafood each year, much of it produced under labor and environmental standards lower than those in the U.S. By expanding domestic aquaculture to complement wild-capture fisheries, NOAA is promoting an America-first approach: supporting coastal communities, creating jobs, and delivering high-quality, homegrown seafood.

“The U.S. leads the world in aquaculture science and technology, yet we rank 20th globally in marine aquaculture production,” said Eugenio Piñeiro Soler, Acting Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere and NOAA Fisheries Assistant Administrator. “Expanding domestic aquaculture will strengthen American health, provide good-paying jobs, and drive sustainable economic growth.”

The final AOAs are grounded in 19 scientific support products and incorporate extensive public input, building on draft documents released last year. NOAA’s transparent, science-based process ensures that decisions reflect American-driven priorities.

Southern California: NOAA identified 10 prime sites for aquaculture – eight in the Santa Barbara Channel and two in Santa Monica Bay – ranging from 500 to 2,000 acres, totaling 16,500 acres. Potential operations include seaweed, shellfish, and finfish farming.

Gulf of America: NOAA designated three sites off the Texas coast, ranging from 500 to 2,000 acres each, totaling 4,500 acres. These sites are also suitable for seaweed, shellfish, and finfish aquaculture. NOAA is further supporting these efforts by investing in baseline environmental surveys to provide valuable data for prospective farm applicants.

The AOAs will be finalized with two official decision documents following this announcement. While just the first step, these designated areas unlock significant potential for U.S. aquaculture, creating jobs, supporting thriving coastal economies, and increasing the availability of high-quality, American-raised seafood for U.S. families.