The Southern Shrimp Alliance (SSA) urges federal regulators to protect traditional fishing grounds as they consider potential sites for future offshore aquaculture development.

NOAA is accepting public comments through Sept. 14 on where it should consider establishing its next Aquaculture Opportunity Areas (AOAs), according to CHRON. The agency has previously undertaken the site-selection process in Alaska, California, and the Gulf of Mexico.

In comments highlighted by CHRON, the SSA, which represents shrimp harvesters and related small businesses across eight Southern states, called for existing commercial fisheries to be considered before potential aquaculture sites move forward. 

SSA director Blake Price did not recommend specific locations but urged NOAA to consult commercial fishermen early in the process and account for traditional fishing grounds, potential conflicts, and the economic effects on aquaculture development.

The group also argued that technical suitability alone should not determine whether an area is appropriate for aquaculture and asked NOAA to keep designated areas as small as necessary. SSA said its previous input helped prevent two important Gulf shrimping areas from being designated as AOAs.

“Aquaculture development should supplement domestic seafood production—not replace, diminish, or create additional economic harm for America’s wild-capture fisheries,” Price wrote.