New Atlas Identifies Potential Opportunities for Aquaculture in Gulf of Alaska

Aquaculture Opportunity Areas fulfill President Trump’s 2020 Executive Order “Promoting American Seafood Competitiveness and Economic Growth” and support the 2025 Executive Order “Restoring American Seafood Competitiveness.” Both orders champion a robust, America-first seafood industry that prioritizes U.S. workers and consumers. NOAA has previously identified AOAs in federal waters in the Gulf of America and Southern California. The Alaska Atlas marks the first time the AOA process has been applied to state waters.

“Americans should have access to safe, healthy, locally produced seafood,” said Neil Jacobs, Ph.D., NOAA administrator. “This atlas is a powerful source of coastal data, maps and analysis that will inform aquaculture development in the state of Alaska and reduce America’s reliance on seafood imports.”

Each year, Americans eat roughly $15 billion worth of seafood imported from foreign countries, where labor and environmental conditions often fall short of America’s rigorous standards. By expanding domestic aquaculture to complement wild-harvest fisheries, NOAA is leading an approach that creates jobs, supports coastal communities and ensures high-quality, homegrown seafood for American families.

“Alaska has more coastline than the rest of the nation combined, and we should be using that resource to its full potential,” said Governor Mike Dunleavy. “This atlas helps identify where aquaculture makes sense in our state waters. It will support creating new job opportunities, strengthen food security for Alaskans, and add to Alaska’s already tremendous seafood industry.”