Aquaculture Outreach and Education Materials

A waterman looking over several planks loaded with mussel dropper ropes that are dipping into the water. — Mussel farms, like this one located in Maine, create economic and ecosystem benefits by growing shellfish.

Sustainably farmed seafood is a smart choice for healthy people, a healthy economy, and a healthy planet. Most of the public still has limited understanding of aquaculture and may encounter information that can be out of date, inaccurate, or incomplete. Science communications sources that share accurate information can increase aquaculture and sustainable seafood literacy.

Fact Sheets

Regional Fact Sheets

Each region of the United States features different ecosystems, a variety of water temperatures, and many different species. Just like their wild counterparts, aquaculture species need the right conditions to grow. Explore the regional aquaculture fact sheets to learn about the species, grow-out methods used, and the economic importance of aquaculture by region.

Deep-Dive Fact Sheets

Seafood farming, if done responsibly—as it is in the U.S.—is increasingly recognized as one of the most environmentally sustainable ways to produce food and protein. Farmed seafood requires far less feed than most terrestrial animals, and thirty years of lessons learned have been put into practice in U.S. aquaculture farm management and regulatory requirements. Learn more about the many facets of science-based, sustainable aquaculture in the U.S.:

Frequently Asked Questions

Aquaculture Videos

Marine aquaculture refers to the breeding, rearing, and harvesting of aquatic plants and animals. Faced with limited fresh water and land resources, seafood farmers are cultivating the ocean. These videos explore the challenges and benefits of marine aquaculture:

Eat More Seafood

Choosing to eat more seafood is good for your health and the environment. Use these guides to master easy and flavorful seafood recipes:

Try something new: learn how to cook Kelp Noodles Fra Diavolo.

Not sure where to start? Check out Seafood: A Fare for Every Palate for help choosing a recipe.

eeBLUE Mini-grants

The eeBLUE Aquaculture Literacy Mini-grants program is an exciting new pilot program that is supporting informal learning institutions (e.g., aquariums), seafood farmers (e.g., shellfish growers), and NOAA partners (e.g., Sea Grant) that are co-developing innovative sustainable aquaculture experiences.

Successful applicants receive up to $15,000 to spend within a one-year project that builds a partnership across each sector. Money for the mini-grants is provided by NOAA Fisheries and the National Sea Grant Office. Grants are collaboratively managed by the NOAA Office of Education and the North American Association for Environmental Education (NAAEE) through the eeBLUE partnership.

eeBLUE Mid-project Report: July 2021-January 2022