Aquaculture misinformation online and on social media has become a significant issue for our industry, with inaccurate and sensationalized content circulating widely, often influencing public perceptions and decisions. Common false information often includes inaccurate claims about the use of antibiotics, poor husbandry practices, negative impacts on other ecosystems, misleading information about the nutritional value of farmed fish, and so much more. We’ve all seen it – and we need to start doing something about it!

Addressing this misinformation and encouraging a more accurate understanding of aquaculture’s complexities and benefits has become crucial to the survival of our industry. Thankfully, many online and social media platforms have begun taking the spread of misinformation more seriously.

So what do we do? Below is a brief guide, focused on social media, of how to both report misinformation online and better represent the industry with facts, benefits, and increased transparency.

Represent the Industry with Positivity and Transparency

Not all of us have the time or resources to continually create content online and on social media. But for those who do, below are some quick tips to help represent our industry online by increasing transparency and delivering an engaging, unified message about aquaculture:

1. Visual Storytelling:
   • Use compelling visuals, such as high-quality images and videos, to tell the story of aquaculture practices, emphasizing sustainability, responsible farming, and positive contributions to communities.
2. Educational Content:
   • Share informative and educational content about the aquaculture process, its benefits, and its role in addressing global food security.
3. Engage with Followers:
   • Foster engagement by responding to comments, messages, and questions from followers. Encourage a positive and open dialogue to address concerns and provide additional information.
4. Highlight Industry Innovations:
   • Showcase technological advancements, innovations, and research within the aquaculture sector to demonstrate a commitment to progress and sustainability.
5. Feature Farmers and Industry Experts:
   • Feature profiles and stories of individual farmers, industry experts, and researchers to humanize the industry and showcase the people behind aquaculture success.
6. Promote Sustainability Practices:
   • Emphasize the industry’s commitment to sustainability by highlighting eco-friendly practices, waste reduction efforts, and conservation initiatives.
7. Utilize Hashtags Strategically:
   • Create and use relevant hashtags to increase visibility and encourage user-generated content related to positive aspects of aquaculture. (See the footer of our newsletter for some hashtag examples.)
8. Collaborate with Influencers:
   • Partner with influencers, scientists, and other thought leaders in the field to expand your reach and lend credibility to your social media messaging.
9. Participate in Industry Events:
   • Live-post from industry events, conferences, and trade shows to showcase the latest trends, technologies, and discussions within the aquaculture community.
10. Address Concerns Transparently:
    • Address common misconceptions and concerns transparently, providing evidence-based information to build trust and credibility.
11. Community Involvement:
    • Highlight community engagement initiatives, showcasing how the aquaculture industry positively contributes to local communities through job creation, economic development, and support for social causes.
12. Celebrate Milestones and Achievements:
    • Share accomplishments, milestones, and success stories within the industry to celebrate progress and showcase positive impacts.

Report Misinformation

Many online and social media platforms have begun taking the spread of misinformation much more seriously. It is up to us, as industry professionals, to report misinformation when we see it. Below are instructions on how to report misinformation on today’s most popular platforms:

Instagram

1. Click the three dots above the post.
2. Click Report.
3. Scroll down and click False information.
4. Select an option, then click Submit report.

View additional information about reporting on Instagram here.

Facebook

1. Click the three dots next to the post you’d like to mark as false.
2. Click Report post.
3. Click False information, then select the kind of false information.
4. Click Submit.

View additional information about reporting on Facebook here.

X (formerly Twitter)

1. Navigate to the post you’d like to report.
2. Tap the icon located at the top of the post.
3. Select Report post and follow through the steps so we can gather all the relevant information about the issue.

View additional information about reporting on X here.

TikTok

1. Go to the video you need to report.
2. Press and hold on the video.
3. Select Report and follow the instructions provided.

View additional information about reporting on TikTok here.

LinkedIn

1. Click the More icon in the right corner of the post on your LinkedIn homepage.
2. Click Report this post.
3. Select the applicable reason from the Why are you reporting this? pop-up window and follow the on-screen instructions.
4. Click Submit to proceed with reporting the post, or Back to review your options.

View additional information about reporting on LinkedIn here.

YouTube

1. Go to the video that you want to report.
2. Below the video, click More and then Report .
3. Select the reason that best fits the violation in the video.
4. Click NEXT.
5. Give any other details that may help the review team make their decision.
6. Include timestamps or descriptions of the violation, if possible.
7. Click REPORT.

View additional information about reporting on YouTube here.