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Southeast Aquaculture Resources
Discover lay-friendly resources about Aquaculture in the Southeast United States!
Our curated database includes resources for the general public, seafood lovers, educators, extension personnel, and folks in the service industry.
Recently Added Resources
Marshallberg Farm Documentary
This episode of Taste Makers visits Marshallberg Farm in North Carolina, where aquaculture is used to sustainably raise Russian sturgeon for osetra caviar and smoked sturgeon. Through interviews with farmers, chefs, and food experts, viewers learn how recirculating aquaculture systems conserve water, support sustainable seafood production, and provide an alternative to harvesting threatened wild sturgeon populations. The program also explores how locally raised sturgeon is transformed into premium food products and introduced to consumers through restaurants and farmers markets.
1st & 2nd Grade Lesson Plan – Exploring Aquaponics
This elementary classroom lesson introduces students to aquaponics by helping them explore how fish, plants, and water work together as a system. Through hands-on investigations, pH testing, engineering design, observation, and classroom discussion, students learn how the needs of plants and fish can be met within a small aquaponics setup. The resource includes common core standards and combines science, agriculture, and problem-solving to encourage students to think about innovative and sustainable ways to grow food.
Oyster farming lingo: What does it mean?
This article explains the different stages of oyster development used in aquaculture, from spawning and larval growth in hatcheries to the products used for farming and reef restoration. Using clear definitions and examples, it helps readers understand terms such as spat, seed, spat-on-shell (SoS), and florets, while showing how oysters are raised and why they are valuable to coastal ecosystems. The resource is especially useful for consumers, educators, volunteers, and anyone interested in oyster farming, restoration, or marine science.
Exploring Aquaponics Lesson Plan (Grades K-2)
This K-2 aquaponics lesson introduces young learners to the basic needs of plants and fish through hands-on exploration, simple engineering activities, games, and observation. Students learn how fish and plants can work together in an aquaponics system, then help design, build, and care for a classroom system while observing how living things depend on water, nutrients, air, light, food, and shelter. The resource provides an age-appropriate introduction to aquaculture, ecosystems, and sustainable food production through interactive, inquiry-based learning.
Exploring Aquaponics Lesson Plan (Grades 3-5)
This hands-on aquaponics lesson introduces students to the basic needs of plants and fish while guiding them through the design, assembly, and maintenance of a small-scale aquaponics system. Through games, engineering activities, observations, and data collection, learners see how fish and plants work together in a closed-loop system that conserves water and produces food. The resource is especially well suited for upper elementary students and combines concepts from life science, ecosystems, engineering, and sustainable agriculture.
Sustainable Seafood Delight
This classroom activity from the Georgia Aquarium uses seafood menus as a creative way to teach concepts such as sustainable fisheries, overfishing, ocean stewardship, and responsible seafood choices. Participants research different fisheries and seafood species, then design a restaurant menu that supports long-term ocean health while meeting consumer demand. The resource is especially engaging for students because it combines environmental science, real-world food choices, research, and hands-on problem solving.
Aquaculture as Agriculture Video
This 60 second video provides a high-level overview of aquaculture in the United States. It explains what aquaculture is, how it’s connection to agriculture, and how it can be used to produce food. It shows visuals of people working across the industry in the United States, including farmers wearing scuba diving suits!
Natchitoches Fish Hatchery Balances Conservation and Aquaculture
This video takes viewers behind the scenes at the Natchitoches National Fish Hatchery in Louisiana, showing how the facility has evolved from producing sport fish to helping restore threatened and endangered species. Through interviews and footage from the hatchery, viewers learn how scientists raise fish, turtles, and other wildlife for conservation and ecosystem recovery. The resource offers an engaging look at the science, partnerships, and hands-on work involved in protecting Louisiana’s aquatic habitats and native species.
Cedar Key Everlasting: The Story and Significance of Shellfish Aquaculture in Cedar Key
This publication is a series of essays about the sustainable benefits of shellfish aquaculture in Cedar Key. Clam farming has enabled this small island to continue with an industry connected to the sea and remain a working waterfront community.
Sea Urchin Breeding at The Florida Aquarium
This short video highlights a partnership between the Florida Aquarium in Tampa and the University of Florida to raise Diadema sea urchins for coral reef restoration in Florida. Viewers get a behind-the-scenes look at the aquaculture process, from spawning adult urchins and raising delicate larvae to preparing young urchins for release onto reefs through partnerships with conservation agencies. The resource showcases how aquariums, researchers, and natural resource managers work together to support marine ecosystem recovery.
About the SACC
Background and Objectives
The Southeast Aquaculture Communications Collaborative was developed in 2025 with funding from NOAA to curate, amplify, and increase access to regional aquaculture resources and to implement communication campaigns to increase aquaculture literacy among the general public and seafood consumers. The collaborative is made up of stakeholders across the entire Southeast region (TX, LA, MS, AL, GA, SC, NC, FL, PR, and UVI) who are dedicated to helping the public to better understand aquaculture and learn about ways they can support local seafood farmers. Click here to learn more about SACC and explore ways that you can get involved.
- Connecting aquaculture producers, researchers, and communities across the Southeast.
- Expanding access to trusted aquaculture information and resources.
- Supporting aquaculture literacy for informed seafood choices.
- Strengthening regional collaboration around local seafood systems.
Southeast Aquaculture
Communication Collaborative
Featured Project
Support Southern Seafood Toolkit
The “Support Southern Seafood” toolkit is a pilot outreach program that empowers educators to engage consumers about local seafood through a simple guide and interactive pledge cards. It delivers science-based information and addresses common misconceptions while building confidence in purchasing and preparing seafood, encouraging informed choices that support domestic aquaculture and fisheries across the Southeast. The SACC is currently collaborating with UGA Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant to pilot test the program at local farmer's markets through their summer internship program.
Photo Credit: Kristi Pfahl
