Image credit: C. Dettman/MNSG
Aquaculture, which includes farming fish for food, bait, or stocking, is an important way to meet the nutritional needs of a growing global population, while also helping to prevent populations of wild fish from over-fishing. Minnesota and other Midwestern states have a small, but growing, aquaculture industry, but most states lack understanding of consumer demand.
This study aims to tackle this barrier for Minnesotan aquaculture farmers by implementing an online survey to examine consumer knowledge and perceptions. The project team plans to develop and field-test educational messaging that informs about aquaculture products and will share these findings with Minnesotan aquaculture producers and the public.
Funding
Support for this project is provided by Minnesota Sea Grant’s 2024-2026 Biennial Request for Proposal program. Every two years MNSG awards approximately $2 million in research grants through a rigorous, competitive, peer-reviewed process. Researchers based in Minnesota, who are not federal employees, are invited to apply. Grant awards average about $45,000 per year for two years, plus a graduate research associate whose cost does not count against the project budget.
Project team
Project Manager:
Hikaru Peterson
hhp@umn.edu
Professor, Department of Applied Economics
University of Minnesota
Why Sea Grant?
This project supports Minnesota Sea Grant's focus area in Sustainable Fisheries and Aquaculture.
Proposed findings of this study will help aquaculture producers,
tribal and state commercial fishers, processors, and fish distributors communicate properly with consumers to ensure safe, sustainable seafood products. Similarly, it will help consumers to understand environmental and health benefits and risks of seafood consumption, both wild and farmed, and allow them to choose safe, healthy, and environmentally sustainable products.
Lead scientist(s)
Hikaru Peterson
hhp@umn.edu
Professor, Department of Applied Economics
University of Minnesota