This expert workshop was attended by 20 internationally recognized experts, covered a number of relevant core topics and represented aquaculture in different regions of the world. Expertise within the group included the academic, regulatory and consultative sectors of the industry, giving a wide perspective of views on the core topics. Definitions of carrying capacity appropriate for different types of aquaculture were discussed and agreed based upon four categories: physical, production, ecological and social. The range and capability of modelling tools, including spatial tools, available for addressing these capacities were discussed. The prioritization and sequence for addressing site selection and the different categories of carrying capacity were considered in detail in terms of both regional or national priorities and site-specific considerations.