The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) filed a final rule Monday implementing the United States' first comprehensive regulatory program for aquaculture in federal waters.
The rule creates "a coordinated permitting system for the Gulf of Mexico, opening the door for the region to expand seafood production and create new jobs in an environmentally sustainable manner," NOAA said.
It's a huge win for the notoriously difficult US aquaculture industry.
“While this framework is the first of its kind in federal waters, the states already support many successful and thriving aquaculture operations in their waters,” said Eileen Sobeck, assistant NOAA administrator for fisheries.
“Allowing
