How is aquaculture done in the Great Lakes Region?
- Great Lakes Aquaculture Collaborative (GLAC). A website that offers webinars, videos, and additional resources aimed at producers and consumers, covering aquaculture topics including business, biology, cooking seafood, production methods, and marketing strategies.
- Northern Aquaculture Demonstration Facility (NADF) - Aquaculture Bootcamp. A series of instructional videos that cover a range of aquaculture production methods and related aquaculture topics.
- Aquaculture Production in Missouri. A website curated by the University of Missouri Extension that includes a list of resources for all levels of producers, particularly under the “Aquaculture 101: Midwest Seafood Production,” heading.
- Minnesota Aquaculture: Opportunities and Challenges. A report commissioned by the Agricultural Utilization and Research Institute (AURI).
- Michigan Sea Grant - Aquaculture. Web content that offers an overview of aquaculture and some necessary considerations to address when thinking about starting out in aquaculture, particularly in Michigan.
How is aquaculture regulated and managed in the U.S.?
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). A website that offers a comprehensive, online, aquaculture resource center that delivers insights on regulations, policies, and various opportunities in the industry.
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). A website that provides a comprehensive overview of aquaculture production in the United States, along with resources covering safety, best aquaculture practices, importation and domestic production statistics, and more.
- U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). A website overview of USDA’s role in the aquaculture industry.
Interested in starting an aquaculture business?
- Ohio Sea Grant. Aquaculture Checklist. Checklist of key considerations for anyone interested in opening an aquaculture facility before they invest capital and labor.
- University of Rhode Island - Cooperative Extension. A website resource hub tailored to the needs of aquaculture growers.
- Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Getting Started in Aquaculture: A guide/tool for individuals just starting out in aquaculture with an emphasis on environmental regulations.
- National Aquaculture Association. NAA’s mission is to provide a unified national voice for aquaculture that ensures its sustainability, protects its profitability, and encourages its development in an environmentally responsible manner.
What are some other useful resources for getting started in the aquaculture business?
- UW-Stevens Point. A website compilation of websites, documents, publications and other outreach materials created by various groups.
- North Central Aquaculture Center (NCRAC). Vimeo channel. Collection of videos and webinars on aquaculture-related topics, such as biosecurity, marketing, and production.
What is aquaculture and why does there seem to be so much attention on farm raised seafood products recently?
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration. A website that provides a comprehensive overview of aquaculture production in the United States, along with resources covering safety, best aquaculture practices, and importation and domestic production statistics.
- University of Wisconsin Sea. Aquaculture and You Podcast. A podcast series that discusses aspects of aquaculture and features interviews with various aquaculture industry members.
- The Global Seafood Alliance. A website from an aquaculture advocacy organization that “ … advances responsible seafood practices worldwide through education, advocacy and demonstration. GSA convenes seafood industry leaders, academia and NGOs to collaborate on cross-cutting issues like environmental and social responsibility, animal health and welfare, food safety and more. GSA is a membership-driven organization. Members include certified producers, corporations and individuals.”
What should I know before purchasing and consuming farm raised seafood?
- Seafood Health Facts. A website created and maintained by Delaware Sea Grant with curated resources on the safety, nutrition, and sustainability of seafood consumption for consumers.
- National Aquaculture Association - Safety and Health. A website that advocates for aquaculture consumption and provides information on the health and safety of aquaculture products.
- Monterey Bay Aquarium - Seafood Watch. A searchable, online database for seafood consumers with up-to-date guidelines on safety and sustainability of aquatic species and companies.
- Sustainable Seafood Profiles. A guide on the status of different seafood species produced by NOAA.
- Food Label Guide: Seafood. A guide to help consumers decipher the labels on seafood (when labels exist) and find fish they can feel good about.
Is aquaculture sustainable for the environment and economy?
- The Ocean Foundation (501c3). Overview of aquaculture’s socio-economic impact and relationship with the environment.
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA). Document that outlines some positive interactions aquaculture can have with the environment.
Where can I buy locally grown seafood?
- Sea Grant’s Great Lake Fresh Fish Finder (freshfishfinder.org). A website and interactive map to help consumers find farm-raised and wild-caught seafood, producers, and retailers in the Great Lakes region.
- Sea Grant’s Eat Midwest fish. A website offering resources to educate consumers about sustainable aquaculture in the Midwest.
- Sea Grant’s Eat Wisconsin Fish. A website offering information about food fish that are commercially harvested or farmed in Wisconsin.
Where can I find resources for introducing students to aquaculture?
- USDA Cooperative Extension Foundation - Aquaculture as a Teaching Tool. A guide for how to build a recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) in the classroom while simultaneously exploring other scientific topics.
- National Agriculture in the Classroom - Overfishing and Aquaculture. Classroom activities designed to help students discover the sources of various fish and seafood, compare wild-caught and farm-raised aquaculture systems, and use a simulation to learn how overfishing can damage the ocean ecosystem.
- AQUA curriculum: A Quest to Understand Aquaculture. Aquaculture curriculum created as part of the AQUA project, a public outreach and K-12 education project that aims to educate residents in Hawaii and the U.S. Affiliated Pacific Islands about aquaculture.
- New York Sea Grant - Aquaculture curriculum. An introductory aquaculture curriculum appropriate for all grade levels.
- New York Sea Grant - Become an Aquaculturist. A lesson plan/guide for students to help them start thinking about how to become an aquaculturist.
- Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services - Aquaculture Educator Resources. A website that offers introductory aquaculture presentations and useful references for educators.
- North Central Aquaculture Center - Youth Education in Aquaculture. A website that offers videos, curriculum and other resources about aquaculture, suitable for all age ranges.
Where can I find other activities and resources for the classroom?
- Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant - Coloring book. A printable coloring book with interesting facts and short lessons on a range of aquaculture methods and species.
- Maryland Sea Grant - K-12 Resources. A website that offers classroom activities and resources on aquaculture and other fisheries related topics for K-12 grade educators.
- David Cline: A collection of videos dedicated to aquaculture and aquaponics education.