Aquaculture is one of the world’s fastest-growing food sectors, yet the United States remains a minor producer, hindered in part by public unfamiliarity, misconceptions and limited social acceptance. To address this challenge, Sea Grant programs at the University of Alaska, University of California San Diego, University of Southern California, University of Hawaii, and Oregon State University collaborated to evaluate the general public’s understanding of aquaculture across the West Coast and Pacific Islands. The project team designed general and state-specific survey questions tailored to regional contexts. A series of multimodal surveys were conducted, gathering responses from 800–1,000 participants in coastal regions from each state, ensuring diverse perspectives were collected. Results will inform the creation of targeted outreach products, including digital and print media and in-person events, designed to engage the public and policymakers. By grounding outreach in locally and regionally relevant insights, this project will strengthen aquaculture literacy, support informed policy discussions, and facilitate the growth and sustainability of U.S. aquaculture.