DATE: April 9, 2019
SUBJECT:
Title
PRESENTATION AND UPDATE ON THE NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION, NATIONAL CENTERS FOR COASTAL OCEAN SCIENCE'S EXCLUSION AND OPPORTUNITIES ANALYSIS FOR AQUACULTURE IN AND AROUND SAN DIEGO BAY
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
At the December 8, 2015 Board meeting, staff provided an overview of aquaculture; its potential benefits and opportunities for the District and the San Diego region; and provided a preview of next steps to advance development of aquaculture. Since 2015, the District has been conducting studies, planning, and completing pre-development work to support and inform aquaculture opportunities in and around San Diego Bay.
Specifically, the District has been working closely with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS), Coastal Aquaculture Siting and Sustainability Program (CASSP). The work has focused on using coastal marine spatial planning tools to conduct exclusion, suitability, and opportunities analyses to inform future aquaculture potential in and around San Diego Bay.
The District is one of the first U.S. Ports to conduct these analyses for multiple aquaculture species and associated gear types in the United States. Planning for future uses and activities in and around San Diego Bay helps ensure sustainable ecosystems remain, and that future activities do not substantially affect sensitive habitats, protected species, or other important ocean uses. This presentation, led by Dr. James Morris, senior ecologist at NOAA, NCCOS will provide overview of methods used and an example of preliminary siting opportunities for various shellfish and macroalgae culture species, with consideration given to spatial use conflicts, gear thresholds, and biophysical needs. It is important to note that these analyses are preliminary and a first step towards gauging the potential for shellfish and macroalgae aquaculture in and around San Diego B...
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