gov.noaa.nmfs.inport:76159 eng UTF8 dataset GIS shapefile Alaska Regional Office (907)586-7202 709 W. 9th St, P.O. Box 21668 Juneau AK 99802-1668 USA https://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/ WWW:LINK-1.0-http--link Website Website for this organization information 8:00 am - 4:30 pm, Mon-Fri. resourceProvider 2025-09-19T23:41:04 ISO 19115-2 Geographic Information - Metadata Part 2 Extensions for imagery and gridded data ISO 19115-2:2009(E) EPSG::3338 Alaska Seaweed Source Inventory 2025 creation publication NOAA/NMFS/EDM 76159 https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/inport/item/76159 WWW:LINK-1.0-http--link Full Metadata Record View the complete metadata record on InPort for more information about this dataset. information https://services2.arcgis.com/C8EMgrsFcRFL6LrL/arcgis/rest/services/Alaska_Seaweed_Source_Inventory/FeatureServer WWW:LINK-1.0-http--link ArcGIS online feature service Online Resource download These data are part of NOAA fisheries efforts to identify Aquaculture Opportunity Areas (AOAs) in Alaska state waters. These data depict seaweed beds mapped during 2024-2025 in relation to draft AOA options within study areas and are provided in ESRI shapefile format. This seaweed source inventory contributes to environmental characterization as part of the AOA identification process, and may additionally support farmers and state agency officials when siting new seaweed farms in Alaska state waters. This shapefile was created through a participatory mapping process. During this process, stakeholders - including seaweed farmers, hatchery operators, and harvesters - delineated known seaweed beds using SeaSketch, a web-based GIS platform that provided base layers of shoreline maps and satellite imagery. Participants used the tool to draw polygons marking the location and species composition of beds. The SeaSketch polygons were exported to ArcGIS to create a usable data layer. NOAA has directives to preserve ocean sustainability and facilitate domestic aquaculture in the U.S. through the National Aquaculture Act of 1980, the NOAA Marine Aquaculture Policy, and Executive Order 13921, "Promoting American Seafood Competitiveness and Economic Growth." Identifying Aquaculture Opportunity Areas (AOAs), as directed in EO 13921, is an opportunity for proactive stewardship with science-based guidance on sustainable aquaculture management. Aquaculture in AOAs will support environmental, economic, and social sustainability. In June 2023, NOAA and the State of Alaska embarked on a mission to identify AOAs in Alaska state waters, focusing on sustainable invertebrates like shellfish and sea cucumbers, along with nutrient-rich seaweed aquaculture. With Alaska's coastline stretching longer than the entire lower 48 states combined, the potential for aquaculture is enormous. Planning and siting for marine aquaculture operations requires thorough synthesis and spatial analyses of critical environmental data and ocean space-use conflicts. This dataset will aid with the environmental characterization of AOA options in Alaska state waters and is intended to assist current and prospective aquaculture farmers in meeting the requirements of the genetic guidelines for permitting, known as the "50-50 Rule". Developed and implemented by the Alaska Department of Fish & Game (ADF&G) as a guidance for farmers to help maintain and preserve genetic diversity, these guidelines recommend that broodstock spores from at least 50 wild kelp plants be collected no more than 50 km from a farm site every year. As a result, the locations of wild kelp beds directly influence the suitability of areas for commercial seaweed farm siting. NOAA Fisheries Alaska Regional Office (907)586-7202 709 W. 9th St, P.O. Box 21668 Juneau AK 99802-1668 USA https://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/ WWW:LINK-1.0-http--link Alaska Regional Office Website Website listed for Alaska Regional Office information 8:00 am - 4:30 pm, Mon-Fri. You may contact the Aquaculture Coordinator for AKRO, Alicia Bishop at alicia.bishop@noaa.gov pointOfContact asNeeded EARTH SCIENCE > AGRICULTURE > AGRICULTURAL AQUATIC SCIENCES > AQUACULTURE EARTH SCIENCE > AGRICULTURE > AGRICULTURAL AQUATIC SCIENCES > FISHERIES EARTH SCIENCE > BIOLOGICAL CLASSIFICATION > PLANTS > MACROALGAE (SEAWEEDS) theme Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Science Keywords 17.0 Alaska place Gulf of Alaska, USA Mariculture theme DOC/NOAA/NMFS/AKRO > Alaska Regional Office, National Marine Fisheries Service, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce dataCentre Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Data Center Keywords 2017-04-24 publication 8.5 Earth Science Data and Information System, Earth Science Projects Division, Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) https://forum.earthdata.nasa.gov/app.php/tag/GCMD%2BKeywords GCMD Keyword Forum Page Global Change Master Directory (GCMD). 2025. GCMD Keywords, Version 22. Greenbelt, MD: Earth Science Data and Information System, Earth Science Projects Division, Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). URL (GCMD Keyword Forum Page): https://forum.earthdata.nasa.gov/app.php/tag/GCMD+Keywords information custodian AKRO Aquaculture Program project InPort otherRestrictions Cite As: Alaska Regional Office, [Date of Access]: Alaska Seaweed Source Inventory [Data Date Range], https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/inport/item/76159. NOAA provides no warranty, nor accepts any liability occurring from any incomplete, incorrect, or misleading data, or from any incorrect, incomplete, or misleading use of the data. It is the responsibility of the user to determine whether or not the data is suitable for the intended purpose. license These data were produced by NOAA and are not subject to copyright protection in the United States. NOAA waives any potential copyright and related rights in these data worldwide through the Creative Commons Zero 1.0 Universal Public Domain Dedication (CC0-1.0). SPDX License: Creative Commons Zero v1.0 Universal (CC0-1.0) otherRestrictions Use Constraints: NOAA makes no warranty, expressed or implied, regarding these data, nor does the fact of distribution constitute such a warranty. NOAA cannot assume liability for any damages caused by any errors or omissions in these data. otherRestrictions Distribution Liability: NOAA makes no warranty, expressed or implied, regarding these data, nor does the fact of distribution constitute such a warranty. NOAA cannot assume liability for any damages caused by any errors or omissions in these data. unclassified NOAA Data Management Plan (DMP) NOAA/NMFS/EDM 76159 https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/inportserve/waf/noaa/nmfs/akro/dmp/pdf/76159.pdf WWW:LINK-1.0-http--link NOAA Data Management Plan (DMP) NOAA Data Management Plan for this record on InPort. information crossReference eng; US oceans The extent of these data are within Alaska AOA study areas, which include Southeast (Juneau, Sitka, Petersburg, Wrangell, Craig, and Ketchikan), Southcentral (Seward, Valdez, and Cordova), and Southwest (Kodiak). -154.504748 -130.920252 54.92603 61.148115 2024-06-01 2025-06-24 Shapefile Zip https://noaa.maps.arcgis.com/home/item.html?id=2f8c08abb1fb4d02a8a3f0c9603130b0 WWW:LINK-1.0-http--link Alaska_Seaweed_Source_Mapping download dataset Representativeness These data were gathered through a participatory mapping effort. Not all seaweed beds are captured. This shapefile was created through a participatory mapping process. During this process, stakeholders, including seaweed farmers, hatchery operators, and harvesters, delineated known seaweed beds using SeaSketch, a web-based GIS platform that provided base layers of shoreline maps and satellite imagery. Participants used the tool to draw polygons marking the location and species composition of beds. 2025-05-30T00:00:00 Alaska Regional Office (907)586-7202 processor The polygons created in SeaSketch were exported to ArcGIS Pro to create a usable data layer and to calculate the area of each polygon in square kilometers. Alaska Regional Office (907)586-7202 processor