This report translates recent social media sentiment research into actionable messaging strategies for aquaculture producers, marketers, and industry partners in the Midwest and Great Lakes region working with Bluegill, Largemouth Bass, Walleye, Yellow Perch, and Rainbow Trout.

This project was funded in part USDA-NIFA through the North Central Regional Aquaculture Center (NCRAC) Award 2022-38500-38103.

A recent research project led by Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant analyzed seafood-related online posts to better understand public attitudes toward seafood, including both fish and shellfish. The analysis revealed a wide range of sentiments toward seafood in the United States across most regions and fish categories. During the COVID-19 pandemic, researchers noted an upward trend in positive sentiment, suggesting increased public appreciation for seafood during that time.

A study funded by the USDA North Central Regional Aquaculture Center analyzed public sentiment regarding five fishes to offer valuable insights for industry stakeholders, policymakers, and conservation organizations with vested interests in the management and preservation of these fishes. From July 2020 to June 2024, over 732,200 social media mentions referenced bluegill, largemouth bass, rainbow trout, walleye and yellow perch.

Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant’s annual magazine.

This issue highlights:

• Educators engage with Great Lakes scientists aboard the Lake Guardian 
• Scientists and educators investigate Lake Michigan biological hotspots
• IISG looks back on 30 years of AIS outreach
• Coastal communities face challenges in managing beach sand and structures
• Stuart Carlton is the new IISG director
• Tomas Höök reflects on his Sea Grant legacy

This overview introduces a novel method for producing high-quality protein for larval fish diets, targeting feed and ingredient manufacturers. It outlines the challenges of indoor fish rearing using recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS), particularly the difficulty larvae have digesting traditional dry feeds. The proposed solution uses protein hydrolysates—pre-digested proteins made more accessible through hydrolysis with species-specific digestive enzymes. This approach improves nutrient absorption and growth performance. Notably, the method uses invasive fish species as a sustainable protein source and applies enzymes from the target species for precise, efficient hydrolysis.

Small- to medium-scale aquaculture businesses in the USDA North Central region face marketing challenges. In this publication, Purdue and Illinois researchers use a step-by-step approach to advise farmers how direct marketing can shorten the supply chain and help them find new customers willing to pay premium prices.

This publication is available for download from the Purdue University Extension Education Store at: https://edustore.purdue.edu/fnr-642-w.html

ADA Compliance Information

Some linked publications may not fully meet current ADA accessibility standards and are provided for historical and archival purposes. If you need a plain-text screen or reader-friendly version of any document on our website, please contact us and we will do our best to provide one.

Aquaponics: Farming Fish, Growing Greens teaches STEM through aquaponics, a water-based agricultural system that combines aquaculture and hydroponics. This 9-12 grade curriculum was designed to be used along with an onsite aquaponics system. Curriculum topics include an Introduction to aquaculture, fundamental parts of an aquaponics system, the nitrogen cycle, water quality, population dynamics, our modern food system and more. Lessons were developed to build on each other and be delivered in sequence but can also be used individually.

If you would like to access to all the Aquaponics: Farming Fish, Growing Greens curriculum resources such as slide decks, submit your requests to iisg@purdue.edu.

Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant’s annual magazine.

This issue highlights:

• Swimming Safer: Sharing knowledge, data, and resources
• IISG interns can have invaluable real world experience
• Spelling out nature’s benefits helps inform land use decisions
• Largemouth bass in the busy Chicago River are seeking out natural areas
• Educators explore water quality along the Wild Mile
• We’re funding new research to address emerging coastal issues

This quick reference guide is a supplement resource for the Know Your H2O water quality testing kit. The guide takes you step-by-step through basic procedures for measuring dissolved oxygen and temperature using the YSI Pro 20i dissolved oxygen meter and pH using an EcoSense pH pen. It also provides testing procedures for La Motte chemical tests to measure alkalinity, ammonia, nitrate, nitrite, iron, and phosphate levels in water.

ADA Compliance Information

Some linked publications may not fully meet current ADA accessibility standards and are provided for historical and archival purposes. If you need a plain-text screen or reader-friendly version of any document on our website, please contact us and we will do our best to provide one.