Gulf of Mexico Aquaculture Opportunity Area Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement

NMFS proposes to consider identifying one or more locations, referred to as Aquaculture Opportunity Areas or AOAs, that may be suitable for multiple future offshore aquaculture projects in Federal waters in the Gulf of Mexico, and to evaluate the general impacts of siting aquaculture in those locations, which could occur through future proposals and project level review. AOAs identified through this process would be considered suitable for finfish, shellfish, macroalgae or multi-species aquaculture. The proposed action is a long-term planning effort. It is not a regulatory or permitting action and does not propose to authorize or permit any specific aquaculture-related activities or individual aquaculture projects.

On May 7, 2020, the White House issued an Executive Order on Promoting American Seafood Competitiveness and Economic Growth (E.O. 13921), which requires the Secretary of Commerce to identify geographic areas containing locations suitable for commercial aquaculture. The purpose of the proposed action is to apply a science-based approach to identify AOAs in Federal waters of the Gulf of Mexico. The goal of identifying AOAs is to promote American seafood competitiveness, food security, economic growth, and support the facilitation of the development of domestic commercial aquaculture, consistent with sustaining and conserving marine resources and applicable laws, regulations and policies.

The proposed action is needed to meet the directives of E.O. 13921 to address the increasing demand for seafood; facilitate long-term planning for marine aquaculture development; and address interests and concerns regarding offshore marine aquaculture siting.

The PEIS will analyze potential impacts to the human environment that may occur should projects be proposed in one or more AOAs, if identified. Biological and physical resources impacted by potential future offshore aquaculture development in proposed AOA locations may include water quality, air quality, habitat (e.g., benthic and water column habitats), managed and non-managed fishery resources (e.g., fish, elasmobranchs, such as sharks, and invertebrates), and protected resources including migratory birds, corals, fish (including elasmobranchs such as sharks), sea turtles and marine mammals. Impacts to these biological and physical resources that may be considered include protected species interactions (e.g., entanglement, vessel strikes); alteration to habitats; disease transmission risk; escapement risk (e.g., genetic impacts); water quality changes (e.g., nutrients, contaminants); habitat displacement and fragmentation; gear failure risk (e.g., storm risk, operator error); marine debris; impacts to essential fish habitat; ecosystem impacts (e.g., alteration of predator prey interactions, broodstock sourcing, fish aggregating device effects); and noise, lighting and visual disturbance. Impacts to the biological and physical environment could occur during the aquaculture development, implementation, and decommissioning phases of a project, which include siting, construction, operation, maintenance, and removal.

Socioeconomic impacts considered may include impacts to commercial and recreational fishing; tourism and recreation; public health and safety; transportation; communications infrastructure; domestic and international seafood markets; oil, gas and alternative energy development and infrastructure; military preparedness; local ports, marinas and communities; and local job markets. Cultural and historic resources impacted could include archaeological sites, traditional fishing grounds and American Indian traditional uses. Environmental justice impacts considered may include impacts to vulnerable communities, impacts of aquaculture on climate change, and impacts of climate change on aquaculture.

Wherever possible and supported by the best available science, the PEIS will recommend mitigation strategies to address impacts associated with offshore aquaculture siting and development in the proposed AOAs.