Global demand for seafood products will continue to expand in the face of human population growth. If global fisheries are to be sustainable and well-managed, wild fisheries will be unable to fill global demand for ocean foods. Aquaculture (i.e. breeding, growing and harvesting of plants or animals in aquatic environments) is recognized as one of the primary means of maintaining global seafood supply. This practice is expected to become increasingly prevalent in coastal and offshore ocean waters, however, little research has been done to explore the interaction between coupled aquaculture-marine ecosystems within U.S. waters - especially with regards to lower trophic level species. There is a great need to inspire and develop additional research in this area. In this session, experts of diverse backgrounds will share their unique and creative methods for studying the ecology of ocean food systems. Speakers will highlight areas ripe for additional research while sharing exciting preliminary results. Session organizers will facilitate discussion of promising advances in ocean food systems research while further dissecting logistical and theoretical challenges limiting ecological understanding in this area.