'Guide to Permitting Marine Aquaculture in the United States' Outlines Federal Processes  The new 'Guide to Permitting Marine Aquaculture in the United States' was recently released by NOAA Fisheries. The primary purpose of this guide is to assist individuals with navigating the federal permitting process for marine aquaculture (finfish, shellfish, invertebrates, seaweed). Read More » NOAA Maps Options for Aquaculture Opportunity Areas in the Gulf of Mexico and Southern California Bight  A diver inspects an aquaculture net pen off the coast of Kona, Hawai'i. Credit: Jeffrey Milisen NOAA has released two Atlases compiling the best available science to inform the identification of Aquaculture Opportunity Areas (AOAs) in the Gulf of Mexico and Southern California. NOAA previously identified these regions for their potential to host sustainable commercial aquaculture development in the United States. Areas in the Atlases will have characteristics expected to support multiple types of aquaculture industries including finfish, shellfish, seaweed, or some combination. Read More » Alaska Aquaculture Permitting Portal and Guidance Document Now Available  Photo courtesy of Alaska Department of Natural Resources Navigating leasing and permitting processes can be a barrier to aquaculture site development. To reduce this barrier, NOAA Fisheries has produced a new permitting portal and guidance document to aid prospective and established farmers. Read More » Fact Sheet Outlines Harmful Algal Bloom Impacts on Aquaculture  On this strip of beach near a residential area, the water is discolored due to a Harmful Algal Bloom. Credit: NOAA, NOS Harmful algal blooms (HABs) emit powerful toxins which can endanger the health of humans, animals, and ecosystems. NOAA's Harmful Algal Bloom program, led by the National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS), aims to understand, detect, predict, control, mitigate, and respond to HABs. A new fact sheet from NOAA Fisheries outlines how offshore HAB forecasts notify coastal managers before blooms reach the coast. Read More » ICES Publishes the First Aquaculture Overview of the Norwegian Sea Ecoregion  The Ocean Farm 1, the first of Norway's experimental commercial scale open ocean farms, gets ready for another production run in the seas near Froya, Norway. During production most of the structure is below sea level. Credit: NOAA Fisheries/Mike Rust The International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) recently published 'Norwegian Sea Ecoregion – Aquaculture Overview,' which summarizes the opportunities and challenges of expanding sustainable aquaculture in Norway. Read More » SCA Finalizes Two Strategic Plans to Benefit Aquaculture The Subcommittee on Aquaculture (SCA) rolled out several key documents, including the Strategic Plan to Enhance Regulatory Efficiency in Aquaculture, and the National Strategic Plan for Aquaculture Research.  Call for Comments: Economic Development Draft Outline The Subcommittee on Aquaculture (SCA) is seeking public comment on a draft outline for a Strategic Plan for Aquaculture Economic Development, and information on a planned update to the 1983 National Aquaculture Development Plan (NADP). Public comments on the draft strategic plan outline are due by Friday, April 15, 2022. Please see the accompanying Federal Register Notice for details. Read More » Food Supply Chain Loan Program Covers Aquaculture Systems USDA Rural Development recently announced a Food Supply Chain Guaranteed Loan Program to strengthen critical supply chains and the food system. This program is geared toward the start-up or expansion of activities to increase capacity and create a more resilient, diverse, and secure U.S. food supply chain. All food systems are eligible, including farmed and wild seafood. Read More » On the Reel: Aquaculture Videos You May Have Missed  In Kiwanis Club Learns About Chesapeake Bay Oyster Aquaculture, a timelapse video demonstrates the incredible water filtering power of just 10 Eastern oysters. | 
