A person with blue sterile gloves holds a fish pulled from an aquaculture tank at AquaBounty Farms Indiana
Farm manager Peter Bowyer holds an Atlantic salmon raised at AquaBounty Farms Indiana, a commercial fish farm in Albany, Ind., on April 30, 2019. (Chicago Tribune Photo/Zbigniew Bzdak)

Many people show concern about eating genetically modified organisms (GMO) like the new farm-raised Atlantic salmon that includes a gene from chinook salmon and DNA sequence from ocean pout, an eel-like species. However, an article by Tony Briscoe in the Chicago Tribune—”Indiana salmon hatchery to raise nation’s first genetically modified animal cleared for human consumption”—covers why GMO fish produced via aquaculture are needed to help feed the world’s growing populations, how the new salmon production is similar to GMO crop production, and why the thought process of “GMO is scary” is not necessarily accurate. Tomas Höök, director of Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant, comments on the public perception of GMO in the United States, as well as the necessity for aquaculture to feed people when marine fisheries are being overfished or have reached the limit of sustainable fishing levels. 

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Ready for a party? Join us on the newly-expanded Wild Mile for a celebration of our urban waterways and thriving park spaces. Enjoy local beer, food trucks, and an outdoorsy prize drawing while learning about local environmental nonprofits and volunteer opportunities! This event is free and fun for all ages!The block party is rain-or-shine, and we'll only cancel in the case of hazardous weather!This year’s community partners include @Openlands, Current Water, @chicago_enviro, @cleanupclub_chicago, @chicago_birder, Blazing Star School, @cubillinois, Friends of the Bloomingdale Trail, @chicagoshapers, @reducewastechicago, Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance, and @honeycombproject!Learn more at the link in bio.
📢 Show Your Support for Sea Grant! 📢Continued federal funding for Sea Grant in FY26 is crucial, and we need your help to demonstrate the nationwide support for these essential programs.🖊️ Sign the letter urging Congress to continue funding Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant and all 34 state Sea Grant programs:🔗 https://forms.gle/7sPGHGyh8j8a7vfGA or link in bio
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