Pictured here are native Olympia oysters in natural habitat in Puget Sound.  Restoration efforts in the sound are aimed at re-establishing dense, consolidated beds of Olympia oysters, which provide habitat structure, filtration for particulate matter, and promote biodiversity. (Photo credit: Puget Sound Restoration Fund)

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NOAA Aquaculture Program

NOAA and the Department of Commerce have finalized draft national aquaculture policies that support sustainable marine aquaculture in the United States. The intent of the policies is to guide Commerce and NOAA's actions and decisions on aquaculture and to provide a national approach for supporting sustainable aquaculture. If you would like to read the final policies, view the press release, or read the public comments, go to the Aquaculture Policy page.

As a federal agency under the U.S. Department of Commerce, NOAA is one of the primary agencies charged with permitting and overseeing aquaculture. The NOAA Aquaculture Program fosters sustainable aquaculture that will create employment and business opportunities in coastal communities; provide safe, sustainable seafood; and complement NOAA’s comprehensive strategy for maintaining healthy and productive marine populations, species, and ecosystems.