This framework will authorize conditions for the possession and harvest of farmed-raised Atlantic salmon in the EEZ to facilitate implementation of Atlantic salmon aquaculture projects in federal waters.
The Council prioritized this work in December 2021, initiated the action in September 2022, approved a range of goals and objectives in December 2022, selected a final preferred alternative in April 2023, and submitted a final version of the framework to NOAA Fisheries in January 2024. Rulemaking is pending.
The preferred alternative is to authorize conditions for the possession of farm-raised Atlantic salmon through a letter of authorization (LOA) issued by NOAA Fisheries and require that wild-capture fisheries gear onboard vessels participating in offshore aquaculture operations be properly stowed and not available for immediate use as defined in existing regulations.