The National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS) continues to support efforts to boost the domestic production of seafood and streamline permitting of aquaculture in the United States. By leveraging spatial modeling expertise, NCCOS conducts technical siting studies to identify the most suitable and optimal locations for aquaculture development in U.S. waters. Most recently, these precision siting analyses have played an instrumental role in the placement and permitting of two aquaculture operations in both state and federal waters of the Gulf of America (formerly Gulf of Mexico), both of which are currently in development.
The first project, the North Central Gulf of America Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture (IMTA) pilot project, is a groundbreaking initiative for the region, and a result of successful partnerships with various stakeholders, including NOAA Fisheries, the Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission, and research institutions such as the Dauphin Island Sea Lab and University of Southern Mississippi. This innovative aquaculture operation will culture a diverse mix of species, including red drum, eastern oysters, and native macroalgae. The IMTA approach integrates different species at various trophic levels, creating a more sustainable and efficient production model.
The project is located in state waters offshore from Alabama, seaward of the Fort Morgan Peninsula and southeast of Dauphin Island. The operation, which is expected to run for approximately four years, will also emphasize community engagement and education. These activities are designed to foster greater understanding of sustainable aquaculture practices.
The second operation, the Ocean Era Velella Epsilon project, represents a more traditional aquaculture approach of raising a single species. Located in federal waters approximately 45 miles southwest of Sarasota, Florida, the demonstration net pen project will hold a single cohort of approximately 20,000 red drum (Sciaenops ocellatus). The redfish will be reared for about 12 months before being harvested.
“Partnering with NOAA/NCCOS was critical in helping us site this demonstration net pen project and ensure that it is environmentally responsible while also advancing the future of seafood production,” said Neil Anthony Sims, Founder and CEO of Ocean Era. “The technical support provided by the NCCOS team in site selection and spatial modeling has been invaluable.”
NCCOS conducted spatial analyses and exhaustive planning and siting processes to identify highly suitable project sites for both operations. These analyses considered various factors such as the presence of natural resources (i.e., coral reefs, submerged aquatic vegetation, hard bottom habitat, and marine protected areas), cultural resources (i.e., historic shipwrecks, sunken aircraft, and pre-contact archaeological sites), man-made structures, industry, navigation, transportation, commercial and recreational fishing data, and military activity. These considerations ensure that projects are placed in areas where they will have the least impact on sensitive marine ecosystems and other ocean users.
NOAA is committed to prioritizing American seafood competitiveness, as called for under the May 2020 Executive Order on Promoting American Seafood Competitiveness and Economic Growth and April 2025 Executive Order on Restoring American Seafood Competitiveness. By successfully siting and permitting new aquaculture operations in U.S. waters, the agency is expanding economic opportunities in coastal and rural areas, increasing seafood security, and decreasing our reliance on foreign fisheries.