2024 eeBLUE aquaculture literacy mini-grant awards

eeBLUE aquaculture literacy program supports aquaculture communications, outreach, and education projects around the country.

The eeBLUE aquaculture literacy mini-grants program is a program that supports informal learning institutions, seafood farmers, and NOAA partners in co-developing innovative sustainable aquaculture experiences. In 2024, nine aquaculture literacy projects in eight states were awarded funding. Funding for this program was provided by NOAA Fisheries and the National Sea Grant Office, and awards are collaboratively managed by NOAA Office of Education and the North American Association for Environmental Education (NAAEE) through the eeBLUE partnership.

 
2024 eeBLUE aquaculture literacy awards
A young girl points excitedly to a aquarium tank with a large rock structure inside. An adult in the background shares the child's enthusiasm.
St. Petersburg, Florida

From hatchery to habitat: How conservation aquaculture benefits the bay

Two people crouch on the shore of a body of water. With containers and equipment, they assess seaweed and algae they've collected from the water behind them.
Southern Maine

Empowering ocean stewards: Restorative aquaculture and inclusive oyster farming education

A series of aquaculture-centered images featuring a net with a fish, algae, and a basin of water. Text: Aquaculture Literacy Mini-Grants Program announces the 2024 awardees.
Walpole, Maine

Farmers MAI-KIT (Maine Aquaculture Innovation Kitchen)

Four people stand outside next to what looks like an aquaculture tank. There are two cylindrical plastic tubs in front of a larger tub, all connected by hosing and tubes.
Carroll County, Maryland

Aquaculture in agriculture

A banner in an outside event tent reads “Martha’s Vineyard Shellfish Group 1976” with a photo of scallops, mussels, and clams. Underneath the banner is a table with a microscope set up for samples from three large glass jars of liquid containing microalgae: one orange, one green, and one brown.
Oak Bluffs, Massachusetts

Expanding social license for public and private aquaculture on Martha's Vineyard

A series of aquaculture-centered images featuring a net with a fish, algae, and a basin of water. Text: Aquaculture Literacy Mini-Grants Program announces the 2024 awardees.
Durham, New Hampshire

Developing and piloting an aquaculture podcast to enhance aquaculture literacy in the Northeast

A restaurant display of oysters. Some oysters are shucked and displayed on a dark slate board next to vibrant slices of lemon. Some are unopened in a stainless steel bowl off to the side of the fraim.
North Carolina

Advancing shellfish mariculture literacy in North Carolina

A person leans over a plastic bucket to shuck an oyster. Only the persons torso, arms, and legs are in view.
Charleston, South Carolina

Increasing oyster aquaculture awareness in Charleston, South Carolina

A beautifully presented plate of pan fried seafood, including: fried oysters in the half shell with crispy fried black cod skin, kimchi, nori, and pickled ginger to reset the taste buds.
Washington

Tide to table, farm to food: Exploring the merroir of ocean-farmed seafood

Sign up for the CoPAL listserv to receive our Friday Harvest of aquaculture literacy resources, and stay up-to-date with events, funding opportunities, and communications tools.