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

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