Presidential Executive Order 13921, Promoting American Seafood Competitiveness and Economic Growth (May 7, 2020), called for the expansion of sustainable seafood production in the U.S. to ensure food security; provide environmentally safe and sustainable seafood; support American workers; and remove unnecessary regulatory burdens. To support the E.O. requirement to identify AOAs for round 2, NOAA’s National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science and National Marine Fisheries Service collaborated with the State of Alaska to identify potential AOA options in the state waters of the Gulf of Alaska.
Aquaculture application: An AOA is a defined geographic area that has been evaluated to determine its potential suitability for commercial aquaculture. NOAA used a combination of scientific analysis and public engagement to identify areas within the AOA that may be environmentally, socially, and economically appropriate for commercial aquaculture.