Got Nature? Blog

Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant Newsroom: A group of Midwestern shrimp farmers are on a mission to provide Americans with better-tasting, sustainable shrimp. The industry struggled during the COVID-19 pandemic, but farmers remain hopeful that indoor shrimp farming will come back stronger than ever.

Jeff Howell shows off a trio of shrimp at Triple J Farms in Foristell, Missouri. The farm specializes in Pacific Whiteleg shrimp.

Experts say aquaculture, a method used to produce aquatic organisms in controlled conditions, can be a new market for farmers.

Though commercial shrimp farms came to the United States in the 1960s, about 90% of the shrimp Americans eat is still imported, said Amy Shambach, aquaculture marketing outreach associate for Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant.

As consumers start to prioritize sustainability and freshness when shopping for seafood, Shambach said inland shrimp farming can fill the need.

For full article and videos please visit Amy Shambach talks about the future of shrimp farming – IISG

About IISG: These are trying times for the environment. Climate change and other concerns such as population growth, aquatic invasive species, contaminated waters, and loss of natural habitat, the southern Lake Michigan region faces many challenges. Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant (IISG), with its unique mandate to bring the latest science to those who can best use the information, serves a critical role in empowering people to solve problems in sustainable ways. The program is funded through National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the University of Illinois and Purdue University, but IISG also works in partnerships with key organizations, institutions, and agencies in the region to reach more audiences and multiply opportunities for success. IISG brings together scientists, educators, policy makers, community decision makers, outreach specialists, business leaders, and the general public to work towards a healthy environment and economy.

Resources
Aquaculture Industry in Indiana Growing, Purdue Today
Farming Shrimp, and Changing the Industry, Far From an Ocean, article available by news service Aljazeera America
Video: Cage Culture and Aquaponics, FNR Youtube channel
Walleye Farmed Fish Fact Sheet: A Guide for Seafood Consumers, The Education Store, Purdue Extension resource center
Sustainable Aquaculture: What does it mean to you?, The Education Store
Fish: Healthy Protein Handout, The Education Store
The Benefits of Seafood Consumption The Education Store
Eat Midwest Fish, Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant online resource hub

Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant (IISG)