Episode 10.8: Inside the science driving Idaho’s thriving fish industry

Brian Small is the director of the University of Idaho Aquaculture Research Institute and a professor of fish physiology in the College of Natural Resources. In this episode, he explains how research on fish nutrition, alternative fish diets and sturgeon caviar supports both the aquaculture industry and conservation efforts. He also shares what it’s like to raise millions of fish in Idaho’s spring-fed waters.

Email us at vandaltheory@uidaho.edu. 

How much do you know about where the fish you eat come from? 

Small leads research that helps Idaho’s aquaculture thrive, raising trout in the Magic Valley’s pristine, oxygen-rich springs and supporting the state’s growing caviar industry. He and his team work to make fish farming more sustainable by developing plant-based diets for rainbow trout and improving fish health and genetics. Their breeding program has produced trout that grow faster on soy-based feed, reducing reliance on costly fish meal and improving environmental outcomes.

The institute’s work extends beyond Idaho’s hatcheries. They collaborate with tribes, agencies and private farms to strengthen the aquaculture economy while protecting native species. His team’s work contributes to the production of 70% of the nation’s farm-raised trout and supports the growing market for Snake River sturgeon caviar — a high-value product now prized around the world. Through this blend of science, innovation and collaboration, Small shows how University of Idaho research helps ensure a sustainable future for both fish and the people who depend on them.

Music

“Young Republicans” by Steve Combs via freemusicarchive.org, not modified.

“Seaside at Dusk” by Michael Dowdle via Amphibious Zoo.

Chapters

(0:00) Where do the fish you eat come from?
(3:38) Getting to know Brian Small
(4:11) Inside the Aquaculture Research Institute
(7:30) Life as a fish at the hatchery
(11:35) Inside the science shaping Idaho’s sustainable aquaculture
(17:01) Sturgeon, caviar and conservation
(21:08) Why aquaculture matters in Idaho
(23:28) Final thoughts