Aquaculture Opportunity Areas Gulf of Alaska - Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement Scoping Notice

Content

ACTION:

Notice of intent (NOI) to prepare a programmatic environmental impact statement; request for comments.

SUMMARY:

In compliance with Section 7 of the Executive Order, “Promoting American Seafood Competitiveness and Economic Growth” (May
7, 2020), NMFS intends to prepare a programmatic environmental impact statement (PEIS) to evaluate alternatives for identifying
Aquaculture Opportunity Areas (AOAs) in state waters within the Gulf of Alaska. The PEIS will be prepared in accordance with
the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), NOAA Administrative Order 216-6A, and NOAA's Companion Manual.
NMFS is the lead agency for this PEIS and the Alaska Department of Natural Resources, Alaska Department of Fish & Game, Alaska
Department of Environmental Conservation, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency will act as cooperating agencies. The PEIS will evaluate the potential impacts of identifying one or more
AOAs in state waters of the Gulf of Alaska and will discuss the potential impacts of siting aquaculture facilities in those
locations. The proposed action is a planning initiative and does not propose any aquaculture facilities or authorize any permits.
This notice initiates the public scoping process for the PEIS.

DATES:

The 45-day public scoping period begins on April 13, 2026, and finishes on May 28, 2026. NMFS will

  consider all written comments received by May 28, 2026.

Two virtual public scoping meetings will be held on:

• Wednesday, April 22, 2026, 2 p.m.-3 p.m. Alaska Time
• Tuesday, April 28, 2026, 9 a.m.-10 a.m. Alaska Time

ADDRESSES:

You may submit written comments on this NOI identified by “NOAA-NMFS-2023-0113” using the following methods:

• Electronic Submission: Submit all electronic public comments via the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal. Go to https://www.regulations.gov and type NOAA-NMFS-2023-0113 in the Search box. Click on the “Comment” icon, complete the required fields, and enter or attach
your comments.

• Mail: Submit written comments to Jon Kurland, Regional Administrator for Alaska Region, NMFS, Attn: Records Office, P.O. Box 21668,
Juneau, AK 99802-1668.

Verbal comments will be accepted during the two virtual public scoping meetings described under
DATES
. Information on how to join these meetings is found at: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/alaska/aquaculture/identifying-aquaculture-opportunity-areas-alaska. The virtual meetings are open to the public and free to attend. Comments sent or provided by any other method, to any other
address or individual, or received after the end of the comment period, may not be considered by NMFS. All public comments
received are a part of the public record and may be posted for public viewing on http://www.regulations.gov without change. All personal identifying information (e.g., name, address, etc.), confidential business information, or otherwise sensitive information submitted voluntarily by the sender will be publicly
accessible. NMFS will accept anonymous comments (enter “N/A” in the required fields if you wish to remain anonymous).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Alicia Bishop, Alaska Regional Aquaculture Coordinator, telephone: 323-366-5659; or email: alicia.bishop@noaa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Purpose and Need for the Proposed Action

The purpose of the proposed action is to apply a science-based approach to identify AOAs in state waters of the Gulf of Alaska.
The goal of identifying AOAs is to promote American seafood competitiveness, food security, economic growth, and to support
the development of domestic commercial aquaculture, consistent with sustaining and conserving marine resources and applicable
laws, regulations, and policies. The proposed action is needed to meet the directives of E.O. 13921 to address the increasing
demand for seafood, facilitate long-term planning for marine aquaculture development, and address interests and concerns regarding
marine aquaculture siting.

Preliminary Description of Proposed Action and Alternatives

The proposed action is to identify one or more locations (referred to as AOAs) in state waters of the Gulf of Alaska that
may be suitable for multiple future aquaculture projects. The PEIS will evaluate the potential impacts of identifying AOAs
and of siting aquaculture projects in those locations. The PEIS will not consider finfish aquaculture, as it is prohibited
by state law.

An AOA is a geographic area that has been evaluated to determine its potential suitability for commercial aquaculture. NMFS
will use a combination of scientific analysis and public engagement to identify AOAs that may be environmentally, socially,
and economically suitable for commercial aquaculture. AOAs identified through this process may be considered suitable for
aquaculture for shellfish, seaweed, or a combination of these species. AOAs may only be identified by NMFS after completion
of a final PEIS and issuance of a final decision document. The proposed action is a long-term planning effort. It is not a
regulatory or permitting action, and does not propose to authorize any specific aquaculture-related activities or individual
aquaculture projects.

Background Information

E.O. 13921 directs NOAA to lead a multi-agency planning effort to identify AOAs. NMFS published a request for information
(RFI) on October 23, 2020, identifying the first two geographic areas for AOAs and asking the public to comment on what areas
should be considered for future AOAs (85 FR 67519). NMFS received letters of support from individuals, industry, Alaska Native
organizations, Alaska state agencies, and the Alaska state legislature to begin the AOA process in Alaska state waters. NMFS
announced the beginning of the process to identify AOAs in Alaska state waters in partnership with the State of Alaska on
June 1, 2023. On October 19, 2023, NMFS published a second RFI, specific to Alaska, and held public listening sessions on
the identification of marine spatial planning study areas, and requested data and analyses relevant to the AOA identification
process in Alaska state waters (88 FR 72046). NOAA's National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS) in collaboration with
NMFS and the State of Alaska, initiated a marine spatial planning process to aid agency decision makers in identifying areas
that may be suitable as AOA options. NMFS, NCCOS, and the State of Alaska hosted a two-part workshop series to collect information
for a marine spatial planning study (see August 14, 2024, workshop summary report at https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/s3/2024-08/Alaska-AOA-Spatial-Planning-Workshops-Report.pdf). On April 23, 2025, NMFS published a Notice of Availability (90 FR 17051) requesting public comment on the preliminary results
of a marine spatial planning study developed by NCCOS in collaboration with NMFS and the State of Alaska, including the identification
of draft AOA options in Alaska (https://cdn.coastalscience.noaa.gov/page-attachments/MSP/Report-for-Notice-for-Comment-for-Alaska-Draft-Final.pdf). The notice requested public comment on the 97 draft AOA options that had high suitability scores relative to the planning
goals to identify up to 4,000 acres (1,519 hectares) per study area for subtidal shellfish and seaweed aquaculture, and up
to 100 acres (40.5 hectares) per study area for intertidal shellfish aquaculture. NMFS hosted two, public virtual listening
sessions to explain the draft AOA options and receive comments.

NMFS, NCCOS, and the State of Alaska received new information through the public comment process which allowed NCCOS to make
improvements to the spatial planning model before finalizing the results. NCCOS updated the model-based comments that highlighted
missing, authoritative spatial data sources and information that supported improvements to scoring and data processing for
existing data sets. NCCOS used this information to develop the Alaska Atlas—a technical document providing peer-reviewed geospatial
planning information. NCCOS published the NOAA Technical Memorandum, An Aquaculture Opportunity Area Atlas for the Gulf of
Alaska (Atlas), on February 19, 2026 (NOS NCCOS 365. Beaufort, NC. 986 pp.; available online at: https://repository.library.noaa.gov/view/noaa/72440). The Atlas used a precision-siting, scoring, and ranking process to narrow the suitability analysis results to

  77 final AOA options that have high potential suitability for an AOA across the 10 marine spatial planning study areas depicted
  in Figure 3.64 on page 10 of the Atlas. The final AOA options represented a 26 percent reduction in total acreage from the
  draft option areas in the marine spatial planning study. The 77 final AOA options resulted in 13,031 acres (5,273 hectares)
  identified across Southeast, Southcentral, and Southwest Alaska study areas. Southeast has a total of 53 AOA options (44 subtidal
  and 9 intertidal) depicted in Figure 3.131 on page 298 of the Atlas. Southcentral has a total of 9 AOA options (all subtidal)
  depicted in Figure 3.93 on page 238 of the Atlas. Southwest has a total of 15 AOA options (13 subtidal and 2 intertidal) depicted
  in Figure 3.65 on page 184 of the Atlas.

The Atlas may be used as one source of information to assist the agency in identifying one or more AOAs within state waters
of the Gulf of Alaska. The Atlas does not reflect any agency decision to identify specific AOAs or foreclose the agency's
ability to evaluate alternate locations for consideration as AOAs.

Alternative Framework

The PEIS will analyze and discuss the potential impacts of a no action alternative (Alternative 1) and the potential impacts
of identifying one or more AOAs in Alaska state waters (Alternative 2). In Alternative 1 (No Action), NMFS would not identify
AOAs in Alaska state waters. Aquaculture projects could still be sited in state waters of Alaska. The no action alternative
will serve as the analytic basis (i.e., baseline) for comparison of the proposed action. In Alternative 2, NMFS would consider identifying AOAs in one or more of
the 77 AOA options described in the Atlas. NMFS will determine the number and scope of alternatives and areas explored and
select the locations to be evaluated in the draft PEIS based on the comments received during this public scoping period.

Summary of Expected Effects

NEPA requires federal agencies to evaluate the potential environmental effects of any major planned Federal action, and to
promote public awareness of the potential impacts, by preparing a detailed analysis of proposed actions that would significantly
affect the quality of the human environment. The PEIS will evaluate the potential impacts of identifying one or more AOAs
in state waters of the Gulf of Alaska and will discuss the potential impacts of siting aquaculture in those locations, should
projects be proposed, as informed by the Atlas and best available information. The proposed action is a planning effort and
does not propose to authorize or permit any specific aquaculture-related activities or individual aquaculture projects, however
the PEIS will discuss the potential impacts of siting aquaculture in those locations as directed by E.O. 13921. The PEIS will
consider potential impacts on the administrative environment, physical and biological environment, socioeconomic environment,
and the cultural/historic environment.

The PEIS will consider potential stressors associated with shellfish and seaweed aquaculture or a combination of these types
of farms, including stressors associated with pre-construction, construction, operations and maintenance, and decommissioning
of shellfish and seaweed aquaculture. Biological and physical resources potentially considered may include: affected ecosystems,
fish, invertebrates, aquatic vegetation, seaweeds, mammals, birds, and special status habitat. Potential impacts to these
resources that may be considered include: potential physical disturbance and strike stressors, acoustic and light disturbance,
ecosystem stressors, effluents and emissions, entanglement stressors, ingestion stressors, disease and pathogen transmission,
and other changes in water quality. Socioeconomic resources potentially considered may include: existing aquaculture, fishing,
seafood markets and regional food systems, transportation and navigation, aesthetic quality, tourism and recreation, community/regional
infrastructure and ports/working waterfronts, energy and public services, and public health and safety. Cultural and historic
resources potentially considered may include: Alaska Native resources, cultural practices, and archaeological resources.

Wherever possible and supported by the best available science, the PEIS may highlight potential mitigation strategies to address
impacts associated with aquaculture siting and development in the proposed AOAs.

Anticipated Permits and Other Authorizations

The proposed action to identify AOAs is a planning process. Neither the final PEIS nor final decision document will authorize
any specific aquaculture activities or approve any individual aquaculture projects. Any future aquaculture operations within
an AOA would be required to comply with all applicable Federal and state laws and regulations, including but not limited to
the Clean Water Act, Rivers and Harbors Act, Endangered Species Act, the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management
Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act), Marine Mammal Protection Act, and National Historic Preservation Act. Compliance may include Endangered
Species Act, Essential Fish Habitat (Magnuson-Stevens Act), and National Historic Preservation Act consultations, and Marine
Mammal Protection Act authorizations. Additional NEPA analysis may be required as part of permitting and authorization processes.
Cooperating agencies may adopt the PEIS and utilize the information to support their permitting decisions.

Schedule for the Decision-Making Process

The PEIS is expected to take two years from the date of this notice. The draft PEIS is tentatively scheduled for publication
in winter 2027. The draft PEIS will be released for public comment, and all public comments will be considered before issuing
a final PEIS. The final PEIS and associated final decision is tentatively scheduled for publication in spring 2028.

Public Scoping Process and Meetings

This notice initiates the scoping process, which guides the scope of environmental issues, potential impacts, alternatives,
and potential mitigation measures that could be included in the draft PEIS. Comments will be accepted until May 28, 2026.
Interested parties may submit public comments according to the instructions described in the
DATES
and
ADDRESSES
sections above.

Request for Identification of Potential Alternatives, Information, and Analyses Relevant to the Proposed Action

NMFS requests data, comments, views, information, analysis, alternatives, or suggestions on the proposed action from the public;
affected Federal, State, Tribal, and local governments, agencies, and offices; the scientific community; non-governmental
organizations; industry; and all other interested parties. Specifically, we are soliciting information and feedback on:

1. The scope of the NEPA analysis, including the range of reasonable alternatives and the number of and locations of areas
   that should be considered and evaluated.

2. The types of aquaculture (e.g., species or gear) that are ecologically, economically, and socially of interest or concern, and could be analyzed in a proposed
   AOA location.

3. Information related to technologies and strategies that could increase opportunities for or mitigate risks of aquaculture
   development.

4. Potential impacts to biological, physical, and ecological resources, including potential interactions with marine mammals
   and other species protected by the Marine Mammal Protection Act or Endangered Species Act, Essential Fish Habitat designated
   under the Magnuson-Stevens Act, and other sensitive, managed, or protected habitats in the Gulf of Alaska.

5. Potential impacts to the social, economic, and cultural environment, including but not limited to fishing sectors and industries,
   and Alaska Native and coastal communities.

6. Current or planned activities in or near the areas highlighted in this notice and their possible impacts on aquaculture
   development or the impact of aquaculture developments on those activities.

7. Other topics relevant to the Proposed Action and its impacts on the human environment.

Authority: E.O. 13921.

Dated: April 7, 2026. Danielle Blacklock, Director, Office of Aquaculture, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2026-07063 Filed 4-10-26; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510-22-P

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