Just Added: 5 Key Aquaculture Reports from Meridian Institute Now Available in the AIE Library

The Aquaculture Information Exchange (AIE) has expanded its Resource Library with five important new documents from the recently shuttered Meridian Institute—an organization that played a vital role in shaping national conversations around aquaculture policy, equity, and innovation.

These new additions include in-depth reports on aquaculture workforce development, blue foods and climate resilience, marine aquaculture planning, and philanthropic funding trends in aquaculture and fisheries.

By preserving these reports on the AIE, we aim to keep this valuable knowledge accessible to aquaculture professionals, educators, policymakers, and advocates across the U.S.

📚 What’s New in the Library?

1. Sectoral Insights on the Future of Aquaculture in the US (2021)

Prepared by Meridian Institute and Ocean Strategies, this brief synthesizes perspectives from nearly 100 stakeholders—spanning aquaculture, fisheries, finance, retail, NGOs, and recreation. It identifies barriers like permitting delays, gaps in workforce and infrastructure, and the need for trust-building across sectors. The report outlines opportunities for cross-sector collaboration, sustainable development, and streamlined policy to grow US aquaculture responsibly.

📥 Download the Summary Brief (PDF)

2. Opportunities at the Intersection of Climate, Oceans, and Food Systems (2024)

This funder meeting summary outlines how responsibly produced blue foods—from aquaculture and fisheries—can support climate adaptation and sustainable food systems. Includes strategies for integrating aquatic foods into major food policy discussions.

📥 Download the Blue Foods Funder Summary (PDF)

3. Workforce Development & Equity in U.S. Aquaculture (2024)

This synthesis outlines shared challenges between aquaculture operators and advocates—from data gaps to recruiting diverse talent. It offers three clear opportunities for collaborative workforce solutions. A must-read for those involved in aquaculture education and job training.

📥 Download the Workforce Development Report (PDF)

4. U.S. Marine Aquaculture Design Workshop Summary (2022)

Captures insights from a national multisectoral workshop focused on the future of U.S. marine aquaculture. Topics include regulatory reform, stakeholder engagement, offshore farming, and building trust across ocean sectors.

📥 Download the Workshop Summary (PDF)

5. Hawai‘i Site Visit: Traditional & Modern Aquaculture Insights (2023)

Blends Indigenous stewardship with commercial aquaculture case studies. Highlights lessons from loko iʻa (Hawaiian fishponds) and site selection insights from operators like Ocean Era. A valuable resource on community-based aquaculture and cultural sustainability.

📥 Download the Hawai‘i Site Visit Summary (PDF)

💡 Why It Matters

With the closure of the Meridian Institute, AIE is stepping up to ensure that essential aquaculture research and insights aren’t lost. These reports provide real-world case studies, data-driven findings, and actionable strategies for:

• Aquaculture workforce development
• Equitable industry growth
• Blue food integration into food systems
• Marine spatial planning
• Sustainable seafood funding strategies

🔍 Browse the Full Collection

You can find all five reports in the AIE Resource Library. They’re free to download and share.

📝 Have resources of your own to share? Use our Upload Resource form or email us at admin@aquainfoexchange.org.

💬 Found one of these reports helpful? Post about it on the AIE. We’d love to hear your take!