In 2009 the Fishery Management Plan for Regulating Offshore Marine Aquaculture in Federal Waters of the Gulf of Mexico (Gulf Aquaculture Plan) entered into effect by operation of law. The proposed rule to implement the Plan published for public comment in the Federal Register on August 28, 2014 (79 FR 51424). The comment period for this rule closes on October 27, 2014. For more information and to provide comments on the rule, please visit the NOAA Fisheries Southeast Regional Office Gulf Aquaculture Plan website.

The purpose of the Gulf Aquaculture Plan is to maximize benefits to the Nation by establishing a regional permitting process to manage the development of an environmentally sound and economically sustainable aquaculture industry in federal waters of the Gulf of Mexico. This proposed rule marks the first time a regional fishery management council has approved a comprehensive regulatory program for aquaculture in federal waters. The Gulf Aquaculture Plan would allow up to 20 offshore aquaculture operations to be permitted in federal waters of the Gulf over a 10-year period.