Structure of the Office of Aquaculture

NOAA's aquaculture program draws on managerial, policy, and scientific expertise from across the agency and is coordinated by the Office of Aquaculture at NOAA Fisheries headquarters in Silver Spring, Maryland.  The Aquaculture Office works with personnel in NOAA's other line offices, Regional Offices, and Fisheries Science Centers as well as with its federal, state, local, tribal, and academic partners.

Line Offices

• NOAA Research, which includes the national and state Sea Grant programs
• NOAA Ocean Service -- National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS)

Regional Offices

Since 2008, NOAA has been expanding its aquaculture efforts by establishing Regional Coordinators around the country.  This allows better attention to and awareness of region-specific issues.  The office has Regional Aquaculture Coordinators in the

• Northeast Region
• Southeast Region
• Southwest Region (website coming soon)
• Northwest Region
• Pacific Islands Region (website coming soon)

NOAA Fisheries Science Centers

NOAA engages in aquaculture research at many of its labs and science centers.  Research explores a wide spectrum of relevant issues including the culture of specific species, life-cycle analysis, alternative feeds, ocean acidification, and habitat benefits and impacts.  A well-integrated aquaculture research program includes studies of the culture of fish and shellfish to develop methods suitable for commercial use as well as for stock enhancement and restoration.

• Northwest Fisheries Science Center / Resource Enhancement and Utilization Technologies Division
• Northeast Fisheries Science Center / Milford Laboratory
• Alaska Science Center
• Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center
• Southwest Fisheries Science Center
• Southeast Fisheries Science Center

NOAA’s National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science

• Center for Coastal Fisheries and Habitat Research
• Beaufort Laboratory
• Center for Coastal Monitoring and Assessment
• Hollings Marine Laboratory
• Center for Coastal Environmental Health and Biomolecular Research