In 2025, 13 areas in the Gulf of Mexico, seen here, and off California’s southern coast were designated aquaculture opportunity areas by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Photo: Commander Jeremy Adams, NOAA CorpsThe National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is asking for feedback on identifying areas that may be suitable for commercial aquaculture operations in U.S. waters. The agency is requesting relevant information on where it should consider future aquaculture opportunity areas, or AOA, which are defined geographic areas that have been evaluated for their potential suitability for commercial aquaculture, according to NOAA officials. “The AOA identification process takes into account the potential environmental, economic, and social impacts of identifying AOAs and siting aquaculture in those locations drawing from extensive scientific review and analysis,” according to a NOAA release. NOAA initially sought input on regions to begin identifying AOAs in 2020.