Aquaculture in New England and the Mid-Atlantic

Our region has a vibrant commercial marine aquaculture industry supported by a world class research and technology sector. Farmed species include finfish, shellfish, and sea vegetables.

Here, oysters, mussels, Atlantic salmon, and kelp are commonly farmed marine species. Aquaculture is the third most valuable fishery in terms of economic revenue behind scallops and American lobster. There is great capacity for increased aquaculture production in our waters.

Hatchery-raised species are also grown to support important commercial and recreational fisheries, as well as for habitat and endangered species restoration.

Purposes and Benefits

Aquacultured products are grown for medical research, pharmaceuticals, food additives, and aquarium commerce. They support many industries in addition to generating an important food supply for humans. 

Aquaculture also creates employment and business opportunities in coastal communities and provides safe, sustainable seafood. It complements NOAA's comprehensive strategy for maintaining healthy and productive marine populations, species, ecosystems, and coastal communities. An important way to meet increasing global demand for seafood, aquaculture supports commercial and recreational fisheries, and restores species and marine habitat.

Contact

The Greater Atlantic Region has two regional aquaculture coordinators:

• Kevin Madley (978) 282-8494
• Chris Schillaci (978) 281-9311

Getting Started

Regional and State Resources 

• Northeast Regional Aquaculture Center
  • State Aquaculture Contacts
  • State Aquaculture Extension Contacts
  • Aquaculture Links by State
• Southern Regional Aquaculture Center
• National Association for State Aquaculture Coordinators
• A Guide to Marine Aquaculture Permitting in Connecticut
• Massachusetts Aquaculture Permitting Plan
• ASMFC Habitat Hotline - state updates

Aquaculture Project Siting 

These resources provide information on geographic based data to inform decisions about siting aquaculture facilities in our region.

• Northeast Ocean Data Portal
• Mid-Atlantic Ocean Data Portal
• Massachusetts Shellfish Aquaculture Siting Tool
• Connecticut Aquaculture Atlas
• North Carolina Shellfish Siting Tool
• Maryland Aquaculture Siting Tool
• Coastal Aquaculture Planning Portal 

Regional Resources

• National Shellfish Initiative
• Northeast Fisheries Science Center Milford Laboratory
• Protected Species and Marine Aquaculture Interactions (2017)
• Potential Protected Resources Interactions with Longline Aquaculture (2015)
• East Coast Shellfish Growers Publish Aquaculture BMP Manual (2010)