NOAA Fisheries

NOAA Fisheries Seeks Public Comment on Alaska Aquaculture Opportunity Areas PEIS

NOAA Fisheries has filed a Notice of Intent to prepare a Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement for identifying Aquaculture Opportunity Areas in Alaska state waters. The 45-day public scoping period closes May 28, 2026. Alternative 2 would evaluate 77 options from the Gulf of Alaska Aquaculture Opportunity Area Atlas encompassing 13,031 acres suitable for shellfish and seaweed aquaculture.

Celebrating Earth Day with NOAA Fisheries

NOAA Fisheries published a feature story commemorating Earth Day, highlighting the agency's ongoing marine conservation and habitat restoration work. The story covers multiple initiatives including Florida's Indian River Lagoon restoration ($9.4 million in funding), underwater glider deployment in Hawaii, citizen science tagging programs, and sea turtle protection through turtle excluder devices. The feature has no compliance obligations and imposes no regulatory requirements on any party.

Dr. Nancy Foster Habitat Conservation Award Nominations Open Until June 1, 2026

NOAA's Office of Habitat Conservation has opened the nomination period for the 2026 Dr. Nancy Foster Habitat Conservation Award. Nominations are due by June 1, 2026. The award recognizes individuals who have demonstrated exceptional achievement and dedication to marine, coastal, and riverine habitat conservation, and nominees must reside in the United States or a U.S. territory.