Aquaculture

Aquaculture is the breeding, rearing, and harvesting of animals and plants in all types of water environments.

Aquaculture supplies more than 50% of the seafood that is consumed worldwide, and that percentage is expected to rise as the world’s population grows. In the United States, aquaculture only accounts for about 5% of seafood production, but there is an increasing interest in the potential for offshore aquaculture to complement wild-capture fisheries while supporting environmental, economic, and social sustainability and reducing the seafood trade deficit.

The Mid-Atlantic Council has an interest in ensuring that Council-managed fisheries are not negatively affected by the development of aquaculture facilities. While the Council does not have regulatory authority over aquaculture permitting, development, or operation, the Council can provide input and guidance to developers and federal and state agencies to ensure that aquaculture facilities in the Mid-Atlantic are developed in a manner that is compatible with the protection of Council-managed species and their habitats, and with commercial and recreational fishing activities. The purpose of this web page is to provide information related to aquaculture activities in the Mid-Atlantic region.

Aquaculture Policies

• NEW: MAFMC Aquaculture Policy (approved 6/7/22)

  • MAFMC Aquaculture Background Document

• NOAA Aquaculture Policies

Comment Letters on Aquaculture Policies

• MAFMC and NEFMC Comments to National Science and Technology Council's Subcommittee on Draft Strategic Plans to Enhance Regulatory Efficiency and Promote Coordinated Aquaculture Research (9/7/21)

Background on Aquaculture Regulations and Permitting in the U.S. Northeast Region

The marine aquaculture permitting process is complex. Projects that are sited in U.S. waters must meet a number of federal, state, and local regulations that ensure environmental protection, water quality, and healthy oceans. Currently, no single federal agency is authorized to approve or permit offshore aquaculture facilities in federal waters. Most federal aquaculture activities and programs that are specific to aquaculture are carried out by the Department of the Interior, Department of Commerce, and the Department of Agriculture.

The NOAA Fisheries Office of Aquaculture focuses on regulatory, technical, and scientific services related to marine aquaculture. The program includes five regional aquaculture coordinators, who coordinate regulatory and permitting activities, serve as liaisons with the state and local government and stockholders, and assist with grant management. Information about aquaculture in the Mid-Atlantic and New England is available here.

• CRS Report: U.S. Offshore Aquaculture Regulation and Development (10/10/19) – provides an overview of the U.S. offshore aquaculture regulatory framework

Offshore Activities in the Northeast Region

NOAA Fisheries Aquaculture Opportunity Areas

NOAA Fisheries is currently working to identify Aquaculture Opportunity Areas (AOAs). An AOA is a small, defined geographic area that shows high potential for commercial aquaculture. NOAA will use a combination of scientific analysis and public engagement to identify areas within the AOA that are environmentally, socially, and economically appropriate for commercial aquaculture.

• AOA Frequently Asked Questions

• NEFMC Letter to NOAA on Aquaculture Opportunity Areas Request for Information - 12/18/20

• NMFS Letter to Council Coordination Committee (CCC) Regarding Council Involvement in Aquaculture Opportunity Areas and Associated National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Processes (5/14/21)

Manna Fish Farms

Manna Fish Farms, Inc. is seeking to develop a commercial aquaculture farm in federal waters approximately 9 miles off the coast of Long Island, New York. This aquaculture project intends to raise steelhead trout and possibly black sea bass in submerged net pens.

• Project Page

• Materials from October 2020 Council Discussion:

  • Staff Memo: Pre-application meeting for Manna Fish Farms proposal

  • Additional Manna Fish Farms Information

• New York Offshore Preliminary Farm Information/Project Overview (November 2022)

Blue Water Fisheries

Blue Water Fisheries, LLC is seeking to develop a commercial aquaculture farm (Farm) to raise steelhead trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) and lumpfish (Cyclopterus lumpus) in federal waters off the coast of New Hampshire.

• Materials from December 2020 Council Meeting Discussion

  • Staff Memo: Pre-application Meeting for Blue Water Fisheries Proposal

  • Blue Water Fisheries Project Summary

  • Blue Water Fisheries CASS Technical Report

• NEFMC Letter to NOAA/GARFO on Blue Water Fisheries Aquaculture Project in Federal Waters off MA and NH (12/22/20)

• NEFMC/MAFMC Letter to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers regarding Blue Water Fisheries permit application (07/02/21)

Additional Resources

• Programmatic Environmental Assessment (PEA) for Funding Aquaculture Research and Development Projects (2003) – This PEA analyzes the potential impacts on the natural and human environment from aquaculture research and development projects funded by federal financial assistance awards.

• Guide to Permitting Marine Aquaculture in the United States (2022) - This guide was created to assist individuals with navigating the federal permitting process for marine aquaculture for finfish, shellfish, invertebrates, and seaweed

• NOAA Coastal Aquaculture Siting and Sustainability (CASS) - Providing high quality science, guidance, and technical support to coastal managers to grow sustainable aquaculture while maintaining and improving ecosystem health

• NOAA Coastal Aquaculture Planning Portal (CAPP) - a Toolbox for Sustainable Aquaculture Coastal Planning and Siting

• NOAA Fisheries Web Story: New App Answers Aquaculture Siting Questions in Seconds (October 2019)

• ASMFC Habitat Hotline: Marine Aquaculture Along the Atlantic Coast and Beyond (2019)

• ASMFC Habitat Management Series #16: Aquaculture Effects on Fish Habitat Along the Atlantic Coast (May 2020)