In 2016, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and Gulf of Mexico Fisheries Management Council issued a Fishery Management Plan and permitting process for marine aquaculture (MAq) in federal ocean waters of the Gulf of Mexico (NOAA, 2016). In 2018, opponents of offshore aquaculture filed suit and successfully blocked the permitting process (Food and Water Watch 2018). In 2020, an Executive Order entitled “Promoting American Seafood Competitiveness and Economic Growth,” included authorizing NOAA to oversee permitting for offshore aquaculture facilities (Exec. Order 13921). In an effort to address MAq in the Gulf of Mexico, we offer: 1) a GOMURC position paper that includes benefits and challenges to MAq, and a GOMURC plan of action; 2) a list of MAq experts at GOMURC member institutions; and 3) a bibliography of MAq resources related to the Gulf.
