Aquaculture & Aquatic Science

Aquaculture Economics and Marketing Resources

The proximity of Illinois and Indiana to many major markets and the abundance of natural and agricultural resources provide tremendous long-term opportunities for aquaculture farms and businesses in these states. Whether you are an aquaculture producer or you are thinking of getting into an aquaculture business, resources listed here will provide you with science-based information and education to ensure a productive, innovative and profitable aquaculture business.

A Guide to Marketing for Small-Scale Aquaculture Producers 

Small-scale aquaculture producers have income opportunities if they plan their production processes—and plan them well. One of the fundamental principles in marketing is to make it part of the overall planning process. Consider marketing decisions as important as production decisions. No matter how small your aquaculture operation, developing a marketing plan for what you will produce is the best strategy because the fish have to be sold once they reach marketable sizes.

Small-scale aquaculture producers have income opportunities if they plan their production processes—and plan them well. One of the fundamental principles in marketing is to make it part of the overall planning process. Consider marketing decisions as important as production decisions. No matter how small your aquaculture operation, developing a marketing plan for what you will produce is the best strategy because the fish have to be sold once they reach marketable sizes.

Combination of Fish Farming and Hydroponics

Aquaponics combines the soil-less growing technique of hydroponics with fish farming. Fish farming is gaining popularity in the state of Indiana and this concept of plant growth along with the fish farming technique is a topic many are wanting to learn more about.

Aquaponics: Farming Fish, Growing Greens

This 10-lesson curriculum teaches STEM through aquaponics, a water-based agricultural system that combines aquaculture and hydroponics. The 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.

Fisheries Meeting Details

Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant (IISG) hosts annual fisheries meetings each spring and fall that highlight new and ongoing research related to fisheries and fishing on Lake Michigan. Workshops are held in the evening, with options for in-person at venues convenient for anglers in Illinois and Indiana as well as virtually. Anglers of all experience levels, ages, and backgrounds are encouraged to join to discuss topics such as how yellow perch use wetlands to forage, how the DNR decides how many fish to stock, and what contaminants to consider when preparing your catch for dinner.

Angler Archive & Fish Atlas

Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant (IISG) collate fisheries data from state fisheries agencies describing angling effort and species-specific catches for Lake Michigan. This work has resulted in more than 30 years of fisheries data published in two interactive websites: Angler Archive and Fish Atlas.

Great Lakes Fresh Fish Finder (GLFFF)

The Great Lakes Sea Grant FreshFishFinder.org website is a product of a handful of Sea Grant staff members from the Great Lakes Sea Grant programs of Illinois-Indiana, Minnesota, Michigan, New York, Ohio, and Wisconsin. The project was initiated and led by Minnesota Sea Grant in collaboration with Sea Grant colleagues from the Sea Grant Great Lakes Aquaculture Collaborative project. The website is still housed by MNSG, but the initiatives is current led by Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant. The GLFFF website is an online resource for finding seafood produced in the Great Lakes region: Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin.

Lake Michigan Buoys

Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant owns and maintains three real-time monitoring buoys that are deployed annually in nearshore Lake Michigan in the waters of Michigan City, Indiana, as well as Chicago and Wilmette, Illinois. The real-time buoy data is publicly available and used by a wide audience. The National Weather Service uses buoy data to forecast wave and weather conditions, observe current conditions, and change forecasts when observations are not as expected. Boaters, anglers, paddlers, and surfers use the data to assess conditions before traveling out for the day. Charter captains use the data to make decisions about the safety of their customers and crew, as well as which locations will be good for fishing. Scientists use real-time buoy data to improve Lake Michigan predictions for the near- or long-term future.

Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS)

The Indiana Department of Natural Resources, Division of Fish & Wildlife has a list of aquatic species found in Indiana. Be aware as the species listed are concerning as they outcompete native species, threaten human health, change and degrade the ecosystem, and/or require intense maintenance and monitoring.

Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS), Programs & Initiatives

Non-native plants, animals, and pathogens can be introduced and spread through a variety of activities including those associated with boaters, anglers, water gardeners, aquarium hobbyists, and K-12 educators. IISG works with these groups to provide the tools they need to prevent the introduction and spread of these harmful organisms. Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant (IISG) has publications, programs, initiatives and news articles available to answer any questions you may have.