This study was carried out in order to identify the potential and suitable areas for land-based aquaculture development along the lower stretch of the São João River, RJ. A Geographical Information System was prepared using several image sources. Two models were developed integrating important environmental criteria for euryhaline species already cultured in the study area which include - Litopenaeus vannamei, Macrobrachium rosenbergii, and Oreochromis niloticus. The choice of suitable areas was based on the processing of several images integrated in a multicriteria evaluation (MCE). Areas with development restrictions were identified and excluded. An Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) was used to establish weights for the MCE generating suitable areas for each species. The total suitable area found was 55.79 km2. In total, 667 ha were found suitable for L. vannamei, 4.697 ha for M. rosenbergii and 4,905 ha for O. niloticus. It is hoped that this information will be useful for regional planners, managers and investors. The results include potential generation of new jobs as well as aquaculture production.