A closer look at web tools and sites that boost research and empower Great Lakes communities to secure a healthy environment and economy.
Aquaculture plays an increasingly vital role in securing long-term food supplies, and the Midwest is poised to help. In fact, a rich supply of raw materials and proximity to large markets makes Illinois and Indiana prime locations for aquaculture farms and related industries.
To help producers cash in on these benefits, IISG, University of Illinois Extension, and Purdue Extension teamed up to create Aquaculture Economics and Marketing Resources. The site provides leading research and how-to information for developing a productive, innovative, and profitable aquaculture business.
Visitors interested in starting a new business will find resources on everything from establishing an organizational structure to creating a business plan to securing financing. New and veteran producers can also find tips for connecting with consumers and tapping into niche markets.
Aquaculture Economics and Marketing Resources is one of several tools IISG uses to help aquaculture producers define markets and create value-added opportunities for their products. Since 2005, Kwamena Quagrainie has held roughly 40 workshops with over 1,200 participants. These and other efforts in Indiana resulted in about $15 million in farm sales of aquaculture products in 2013, a nearly five-fold increase over 2005.
To learn more about how aquaculture is strengthening Indiana’s economy, read our 2013 program impacts.
Recent News
- Tomas Höök signing off as Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant director this summer
- Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant welcomes Stuart Carlton as the program’s new director
- Four Illinois and Indiana educators will set sail on Lake Michigan aboard EPA’s research ship
- Join IISG as a new pollution prevention outreach assistant
- Beach season means it’s time for lifesaving Lake Michigan water safety resources
IISG Instagram
Don’t miss this opportunity to enhance your teaching skills and connect with fellow educators! Join us for a two-day, water-themed workshop on August 8-9, 2025, at the Dunes Learning Center located in Indiana Dunes National Park. Open to all 5-12th grade formal and non-formal educators, this event offers a chance to explore the natural world, network, and receive exclusive access to the newest Project WET Educator’s Guidebook: Water in Earth Systems.
The registration deadline is July 18th.
Learn more at the link in bio.

📣 Aquaculture Teacher Workshop – June 2025
🗓️ June 26–27, 2025
📍 Purdue University – John S. Wright Forestry Center
🕐 Starts June 26 at 1 PM | Ends June 27 at 4:30 PM
🌿 Optional Pre-Tour: June 26, 10:30–11:30 AM
Explore Aquaculture & Aquaponics in Action!
Perfect for science teachers looking to bring hands-on, real-world STEM into the classroom.
What’s Included:
✔️ Facility tours at Purdue & nearby
✔️ Build-your-own aquaponics system (FREE to take home!)
✔️ Hands-on labs & classroom integration ideas
✔️ $250 stipend for travel or classroom supplies
✔️ Open to formal and non-formal educators
Learn how aquaculture is a powerful tool for engaging students in science, sustainability, and food systems!
Spots are limited – register early!
Learn more at the link in bio.

IISG is hiring a part-time pollution prevention outreach assistant. IISG’s pollution prevention team addresses water quality issues affecting the Great Lakes coasts and the inland waters of Illinois and Indiana, specifically focusing on contaminants of emerging concern like pharmaceuticals, microplastics and marine debris, and PFAS. This outreach assistant will support the pollution prevention team by developing outreach activities and engaging with communities to share that knowledge.
Learn more and apply at the link in bio.

🌞 Enhance Your Summer Programs with Great Lakes Science! 🌞
Calling all summer science and STEM educators! Elevate your summer camps, summer school, or other summer programming with our Loanable Kits. Dive into Great Lakes science and stewardship, and inspire the youth you work with.
🔍 Why Choose Our Loanable Kits?
-Interactive Learning: Engage students with hands-on activities.
-Great Lakes Exploration: Teach the wonders of the Great Lakes.
-Environmental Stewardship: Foster a sense of responsibility and care for our natural resources.
📅 Learn More & Reserve Your Kits at the link in bio.
