NOAA's National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS) collaborated with NOAA NMFS to initiate a marine spatial planning study to identify draft Aquaculture Opportunity Area (AOA) Options within State waters of southeast, southcentral, and southwest Alaska as part of the AOA identification process. An AOA is a defined geographic area that has been evaluated to determine its potential suitability for commercial aquaculture. NOAA is identifying AOAs as directed by Executive Order, "Promoting American Seafood Competitiveness and Economic Growth" (May 7, 2020). This notice invites public comment on the preliminary results of the marine spatial planning study including the identification of draft AOA Options in Alaska State waters. NMFS will consider information received in response to this notice when finalizing the results of the marine spatial planning study, and may or may not identify AOAs after further public participation and review under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).
This is a notice published in the Federal Register by Commerce Department, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Notices communicate information, guidance, or policy interpretations but may not create new binding obligations.
This document is classified as a notice. It may or may not create enforceable regulatory obligations depending on its specific content.
Notice of availability; request for comments.
Submit your comments on the marine spatial planning study and draft AOA Options by May 23, 2025. Late submissions may not be considered. NMFS and NCCOS will hold two virtual listening sessions for the collection of oral comments at the following dates and times (see ADDRESSES section for the link to register):
| Document Number | 2025-07029 |
| FR Citation | 90 FR 17051 |
| Type | Notice |
| Published | Apr 23, 2025 |
| Effective Date | - |
| RIN | - |
| Docket ID | RTID 0648-XE717 |
| Pages | 17051–17052 (2 pages) |
| Text Fetched | No |
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| Type | Proposed | Final | Method | Conf |
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