March 14, 2024 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:
NOAA Fisheries, the National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science, and the State of Alaska are hosting a day-and-a-half Aquaculture Opportunity Area (AOA) Spatial Planning Workshop March 26 and 27, 2024, at Centennial Hall in Juneau, Alaska.
The purpose of the workshop is to discuss the ongoing AOA identification process in Alaska state waters.
NOAA provides science-based tools and strategies to help communities consider how and where to sustainably develop aquaculture that complements wild-caught fisheries, working waterfronts, and resilient communities. NOAA’s National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science and National Marine Fisheries Service are jointly convening this workshop.
NOAA, working in collaboration with the State of Alaska over the coming years, will support the sustainable development of invertebrate (shellfish, sea cucumbers) and seaweed farming in state waters.
Please Join Us To:
- Learn more about NOAA’s spatial planning approach and discuss available spatial data within Alaska study areas
- Document data gaps and help identify points of contact for additional data
- Increase transparency, local capacity, and resources to support seaweed and invertebrate mariculture planning
- Further develop an engaged community to inform NOAA’s AOA identification process in Alaska state waters
Travel Needs: We have limited travel funds to assist with airfare, accommodations, and incidentals. Please contact Teresa Fairchild (TFairchild@psmfc.org) for travel assistance.
All Alaska seafood industry members, charter and sport fishermen and hunters, outdoor enthusiasts, Tribal organizations, coastal community members, managers, scientists and others who might be interested are welcome to join. This is an opportunity to share information and discuss how you can help inform future planning efforts.