Office of Aquaculture Spring Newsletter

NOAA Fisheries sent this bulletin at 04/15/2025 05:34 PM EDT

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April 15, 2025

Director's Message

It’s spring, a time of renewal, and a busy time for growers across the country. It’s a good reminder that in changing tides, we look to the ocean as a source of resilience.

Here at NOAA’s Aquaculture Program, we’re also taking time to reflect on our recent successes, many of which are captured in this newsletter. We recently published our Aquaculture Highlights, recognizing cutting-edge science and strategies to grow sustainable aquaculture in the United States and make America a global leader in aquaculture. It’s the first time we’ve gathered some of these highlights in one place, and we’re so excited to share it.

We’re also reflecting on the comments we received on the two draft Programmatic Environmental Impact Statements for the Gulf of America and Southern California Aquaculture Opportunity Area identification effort. We’re so grateful to everyone who shared their insights. Public input, paired with sound science, is essential to this effort.

We know that this work supports you—aquaculture growers, academics, and consumers—as you enhance coastal communities, protect the health of our oceans, and improve food security.

Here at NOAA we’re committed to providing science and stewardship for aquaculture. We look forward to continuing to support growing safe, nutritious, and sustainable seafood for the American public.

Cheers,

Danielle

Danielle Blacklock
Director, NOAA Office of Aquaculture
danielle.blacklock@noaa.gov

Aquaculture Stories

"Growing" American Seafood, NOAA's Aquaculture Highlights

New report showcases the science, planning, and investments NOAA’s Aquaculture Program made to foster sustainable domestic aquaculture growth.

Identifying Aquaculture Opportunity Areas in California and the Gulf of America

NOAA released two draft Programmatic Environmental Impact Statements for Southern California and the Gulf of America (formally Mexico) that bring us one step closer to identifying Aquaculture Opportunity Areas.

NOAA Fisheries Releases 2024 Alaska Aquaculture Accomplishments Report

NOAA Fisheries staff on a dock in Alaska on a cloudy day.

NOAA Fisheries Alaska Region's 2024 annual aquaculture report highlights key achievements in research and community-driven projects for industry growth in Alaska.

White House National Science and Technology Council Unveils New Aquaculture Plan, First in 40 Years

For the first time since 1983, the United States released an updated National Aquaculture Development Plan. It strengthens U.S. commitment to food security, climate resilience, and the protection of threatened and endangered species.

NOAA Fisheries Releases National Seafood Strategy Implementation Plan

The plan outlines actions we can take to enhance industry resilience and competitiveness in the face of climate change and other stressors.

Meet Stonington Kelp Company: Seaweed Grower in Connecticut

This new Tide to Table profile features Suzie Flores, a former New York City market development executive turned seaweed farmer.

New Calculator Helps Oyster Growers Measure the Water Quality Benefits of Farms

Graphic showing how oysters filter nutrient runoff and improve water quality.

The new tool provides a science-based estimate of how much nitrogen oyster farms remove from local waterways. It generates a report that can be used in the aquaculture permitting process.

AI Meets Aquaculture to Study Hawaiian Monk Seal Interactions With Net Pens

NOAA Fisheries and Blue Ocean Mariculture are leveraging technology to study Hawaiian monk seal interest in aquaculture net pens in Hawaiʻi.

Connecting Aquaculture Enthusiasts from Across the World

Buildings along the water in Ketchikan, Alaska.

Ketchikan, Alaska hosted the third annual Seagriculture, USA International Seaweed Conference.

Macroalgae Aquaculture: Biofuel Production and Reducing Entanglement Risk

DOE’s Advanced Research Projects Agency—Energy (ARPA-E) hosted its 5th annual Ocean Week event in Virginia, where a wide range of energy experts came together to reflect on the agency’s collaboration and commitment to unlocking the energy potential of the ocean through innovative research and technology.

How to Maximize Aquaculture: Growing More Seafood Through Science

A seafood grower poses with growing seaweed.

This podcast discusses how scientists are using an ecosystem approach to aquaculture, growing multiple seafood products together in a sustainable system.

Listen In >>

Driving Innovation in the New Blue Economy through Government-Industry Collaborations in Southern California

Drone shot over Ocean Rainforest’s giant kelp cultivation demonstration project off the Santa Barbara Coast.

With support from the Department of Energy, Ocean Rainforest—an innovator in sustainable seaweed aquaculture—has paved the way for offshore seaweed farming in Southern California.

Video: NCCOS Supports Smart Technologies for Oyster Farming

University of Maryland’s remotely operated vehicle surveys a quadrate array on an oyster reef.

A new video describes the work of University of Maryland’s robotics team that is working to develop an autonomous underwater vehicle that can assess both the status of on-bottom oysters and their water quality.

Watch Video >>

Video: Do Alaskan Kelp Farms Provide Habitat for Animals?

NOAA researchers are investigating whether seaweed farms in Alaska could provide habitat to local species, just like natural kelp beds. NOAA researchers have partnered with kelp farmers in Kodiak to accomplish year two of this research project.

Watch Video >>

Recent Publications

Advancing genetic improvement in the omics era: status and priorities for United States aquaculture

Characterization of solid wastes from sablefish (Anoplopoma fimbria) in intensive culture

Design considerations for a continuous mussel farm in New England Offshore waters . Part 1: Development of environmental conditions for engineering design

Effects of food supply on northern bay scallops Argopecten irradians reared under two pCO2 conditions

Effects of temperature on early life-stages of Alaria marginata, a commercially important high-latitude kelp species

Gulf of Mexico Aquaculture Opportunity Area options: community social vulnerability, risk, and opportunity profiles

Marine spatial planning and best siting practices to achieve an ecosystem approach to aquaculture in the United States

Science advice for genetic effects from macroalgae aquaculture in Southern California and the Gulf of America

Science advice for genetic effects from marine finfish aquaculture in Southern California and the Gulf of Mexico

Science advice for genetic effects from shellfish aquaculture in Southern California and the Gulf of Mexico

Southern California Bight Aquaculture Opportunity Area site selected options: community social vulnerability profiles

Using OMEGA to model risks of escaped fish associated with offshore finfish culture in Southern California: an evaluation of proposed Pacific Ocean AquaFarms operations

Photo from the Field

Members of the Sea Grant Aquaculture Leadership Academy tour an oyster and salt marsh restoration site.

The Sea Grant Aquaculture Leadership Academy tours an oyster restoration site that is protecting shorelines and cleaning water, while growing sustainable seafood in North Carolina (Credit: LaDon Swann for Mississippi-Alabama Sea Grant Consortium).

Sea Grant offices in New Hampshire and North Carolina have collectively established a Sea Grant Aquaculture Leadership Academy to provide professional development opportunities in aquaculture. Twenty-three professionals participated in the program this year, visiting aquaculture farms, facilities, and labs, learning about innovative restoration techniques, and sharing delicious seafood.

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