Sustainable Fisheries: Innovations in Aquaculture (WWW - Kiu.ac - Ug)
Sustainable Fisheries: Innovations in Aquaculture (WWW - Kiu.ac - Ug)
68
EEJOURNALS OPEN ACCESS
through aquaculture, which holds significant promise for meeting food fish needs. Alongside boosting
production, reducing costs is crucial for profitability in fish farming. It's essential to lessen reliance on
fishmeal and fish oil from wild catches. Ongoing technological advancements explore new fish culture
methods, alternative feed, and improvements in fish health and genetics. Biotechnology is seen as a
transformative tool for enhancing output in fish farms. As the global population is projected to rise by 2
billion in 30 years, aquaculture is anticipated to alleviate resource pressure while addressing poverty and
food insecurity, especially in vulnerable populations. Today, this sector, the fastest-growing food
production area, contributes over half of global fish consumption, with this share expected to grow.
Continuous innovation is necessary to meet rising demands while conserving essential resources. In
particular, aquaculture supports low-income coastal communities, particularly in Asia, who face
challenges from natural disasters and climate change that the sector can help alleviate. By offering diverse
dietary protein sources, aquaculture can reduce malnutrition, relieve fishing pressure by producing
alternative species, provide nutraceuticals, restore damaged ecosystems, foster economic development,
and enhance climate change preparedness [3, 4].
Current Challenges in Fisheries
Fisheries provide food as well as socio-economic support to billions of people in developing countries;
millions of marginal people are thus affected. Sustainable fisheries are defined as practices where aquatic
resources are harvested without jeopardizing the ecosystem’s capability to maintain this production over
time. Unfortunately, overfishing and habitat destruction (“ripping”) constitute two of the most important
threats that have accompanied the rapidly increasing levels of fisheries production. Both the environment
and fishery infrastructure are deteriorating. Such large-scale fishery resources will no longer be reliable
in the future. Moreover, the fishery infrastructure also cannot easily absorb the significant increase in
fishing power. Recognizing global trends in fisheries, aquaculture and its sustainable development are
receiving increased attention. Aquaculture can benefit the environment when sustainably managed,
through practices such as restocking and habitat enhancement, which improve ecosystem health. Finfish
aquaculture, traditionally viewed as an alternative source of protein, is now recognized as an
environmentally responsible method and a strategic approach to mitigating food insecurity. Island
nations have invested accordingly: the Seychelles and many Caribbean countries view finfish aquaculture
as a means to bolster food security and economic prosperity, in line with broader blue economy plans that
enhance offshore oil and gas, tourism, and other vital assets. Farming tilapias in countries such as Cuba
and Jamaica has been well established, though recent activity has declined. Financing aquaculture
ventures remains problematic, especially in developing countries. In some cases, government support can
foster effective national programmes, but initiatives driven by development organisations often suffer
from multiple shortcomings, such as inadequate market assessments and limited understanding of the
financial requirements of aquaculture development [5, 6].
Innovative Aquaculture Techniques
Global aquaculture production remains constrained by the availability of suitable land and water
resources, limited access to quality juveniles and feed, and the need for greater integration of science and
innovation. Both capture fisheries and aquaculture face challenges concerning supply and environmental
impact, as aquaculture is expected to account for nearly two thirds of seafood production by 2030.
Consequently, innovative approaches to aquaculture play a pivotal role in supplementing wild fish stocks
and enhancing fishery production. Currently, most finfish, crustacean, and mollusk aquaculture takes
place in coastal and freshwater systems. The future growth of the sector depends on developing new
culture methods or improving existing systems to meet increasing demand for coordinated cultivation of
multiple species and other activities such as energy generation. New techniques include offshore and
integrated multi-trophic aquaculture, which provide opportunities to increase aquaculture production
while reducing environmental impact. Aquaculture offers an alternative solution to overfishing and
declining marine wild stocks by producing fish in controlled environments. In Scotland, hatchery-reared
Atlantic salmon parr were recommended for release as a means of river replenishment to arrest declining
catches and reduce sea-lice pressures on wild smolts. However, there was no clear evidence that these
programmes enhanced salmon populations. An innovative form of aquaculture introduced in Scottish
freshwater lochs mimics the conditions of wild salmon under controlled conditions to address the
increasing demand for fish, especially Atlantic salmon, and city distrust of farmed fish produced at sea.
Observations show that salmon fry remain in the loch for an additional month, replicating the behaviour
of parr in the wild [7, 8].
69
EEJOURNALS OPEN ACCESS
Sustainable Feed Alternatives
An estimated 70% of farmed fish and 85% of crustaceans are now fed, with demand for feed ingredients
exceeding supply. Fishmeal and fish oil dominate industrial diets, but alternative raw materials are being
explored, including terrestrial plants, animal by-products, microalgae, macroalgae, insects, and
earthworms. Over the past 20 years, fishmeal and fish-oil supplies have stabilized, with manufacturers
aiming to maintain current fishmeal levels while relying less on it. The focus now shifts to fish-oil
availability, emphasizing the importance of marine fish resources in the food system's sustainability
transition. Despite socioeconomic challenges and ecological impacts, no robust analytical framework
exists for fisheries and aquaculture, hindering recovery and sustainability indicators. Effective controls on
habitat, discards, and effort regulations are essential. Fish feed is a major expense for aquaculture, often
containing high levels of fishmeal and oil from wild sources, alongside terrestrial crops like soybean.
Continuous reliance on these sources contributes to overexploitation of marine resources. In recent years,
research into alternative ingredients has grown, but replacing terrestrial crops may be costly due to price
and supply inconsistencies. Microalgal components and other alternatives like bacteria and insect meals
have not significantly increased their market share relative to aquaculture growth. High production costs,
advanced technology needs, and substantial capital expenditures limit affordable large-scale production,
especially for small-scale farmers. Consistency and quality issues in ingredients must be resolved to
maintain nutritional value in aqua-feed. Regulatory, economic, and environmental hurdles also impede the
shift to innovative ingredients, particularly for small and medium enterprises. Despite these challenges,
reducing pressure on wild fish remains feasible, especially if economic incentives and sustainable
marketing opportunities are leveraged. There is potential consumer support for sustainably produced
products, which could drive broader adoption of alternative feed ingredients [9, 10].
Genetic Innovations in Aquaculture
Genetic technologies greatly enhance aquaculture sustainability by improving growth, disease resistance,
feed efficiency, and product quality. They are crucial for optimizing cost-effective seed production from
superior broodstock. Adoption of advanced genetics diversifies seafood supplies and increases yields. In
the U.S., aquaculture genomics significantly boosts fishery productivity and sustainability, with species
like catfish, trout, salmon, tilapia, striped bass, and shellfish benefiting from genetic resources. Research
focuses on techniques like marker-assisted selection, genomic selection, polyploidy, sex-reversal, gene
transfer, and genome editing to support breeding programs. Genetic tools enhance disease resistance, feed
efficiency, growth rates, reproduction, and environmental adaptability. Whole-genome sequences and
genetic markers enable tasks like linkage mapping and genome-wide association studies, correlating
genotype with phenotype. Increasing integration of marker- and whole-genome selection technologies
enhances overall aquaculture production. Understanding gene networks affecting traits is essential for
developing robust genetic stocks to thrive in varied environments and combat diseases. The application of
genomics differs by species, sector size, company structures, and breeding infrastructures, benefiting
centralized operations most. In the early 21st century, genetic technologies surged, particularly in the
Atlantic salmon industry, which utilizes genomic selection for various traits. Marine shrimp and Nile
tilapia are also making similar advancements. However, many freshwater species still depend on basic
genetic methods. Broader adoption of advanced genetics may occur through integrated breeding
programs and public-private partnerships. Whole genomes help identify genomic variations for
improvements via mapping and bioinformatics. Genome-based methods, like marker-assisted and genomic
selection, increase efforts to enhance disease resistance, feed conversion, growth rates, reproductive traits,
and stress tolerance. Genomic selection is advancing towards greater efficiency and cost-effectiveness,
alongside high-throughput phenotyping for accurate measurements. Future genome editing could bring
innovations to sustainability challenges, provided it complements existing genomic breeding
technologies. Despite progress, genetic practices remain underutilized, highlighting the need for public
and private sectors to prioritize this area for effective global food security support [11, 12].
Environmental Impact of Aquaculture
Global aquaculture operations are estimated to contribute approximately 2.4% of global anthropogenic
CO2-equivalent emissions. Because the sector has grown so fast, this represents a large missed
opportunity for climate-change mitigation. Greenhousegas emissions per unit of output are now higher
for many forms of aquaculture than all other methods of providing equivalent protein from aquatic or
terrestrial sources. However, global mitigation could still be significant if practicable technological and
operational improvements are implemented. Aquaculture has important opportunities to contribute to
climate-change mitigation, water- and land-use efficiency, and environmental services at the global,
regional, and local levels. Adverse environmental impacts of aquaculture have long concerned
70
EEJOURNALS OPEN ACCESS
governments and environment-protection groups, who frequently seek more controls. Yet, sustainable
development will require both stronger and more appropriate scientific and regulatory mechanisms, and
clear national policy commitments. Aquaculture not only contributes the largest share to global aquatic
food production but also has a significant environmental impact due to the release of nutrients and other
chemicals into surrounding water bodies. Estimates indicate that aquaculture operations discharge
approximately 85% of phosphorus, 80–88% of carbon, 52–95% of nitrogen, and 60% of feed input as
particulate matter, dissolved chemicals, or gases. Uncontrolled nutrient release can degrade water quality,
cause the loss of valuable resources, and adversely affect the health of cultured organisms. The better part
of aquaculture’s environmental footprint lies with the feed cycle, which contributes to water pollution,
eutrophication, sedimentation, and the introduction of heavy metals and persistent organic pollutants
(POPs). The use of antibiotics and hormones in some cases raises concerns regarding human and
ecosystem health, disease resistances, and potential alteration of wild populations. Furthermore, large-
scale aquaculture systems often compete with other coastal and water uses that have ecological and
economic significance. The conversion of mangroves and other critical habitats to ponds eliminates
coastal protection, nursery areas, and important biodiversity, and many cases have been documented of
overexploited juvenile fish and wild stocks and farmed species [13, 14].
71
EEJOURNALS OPEN ACCESS
algae-based feeds, and biosensors for real-time monitoring. Global aquaculture is characterized by unique
production systems reflecting ecosystem diversity and regional practices. With nearly half of fish
consumed worldwide sourced from aquaculture, the sector employs around half a billion people.
Productivity management relies on continuous innovation and research. The pathogen burden from
intensive farming is driving the need for advanced diagnostics, vaccines, and antimicrobials. As Atlantic
salmon farming expands globally, the industry must mitigate environmental impacts from open ocean
pens, requiring innovative cage designs and effective control measures. Policies and regulations are
essential to support the sustainability of major farmed species [19, 20].
Community Involvement and Education
Aquaculture techniques that reduce reliance on unsustainable ocean capture fisheries require significant
community involvement to ensure acceptability to a broad range of stakeholders and to build the capacity
necessary for successful adoption of the methods. Innovative new cultivation techniques also demand
detailed training and adequate infrastructure to operate effectively. Community involvement and
education are crucial in the management of fisheries and aquaculture resources. Acting as both educator
and conduit for training, community engagement supports the blue economy, underpins food security,
and mitigates climate change within the Indian Ocean region. Ecological engineering innovations, such as
integrated multi-trophic aquaculture, enhance the sustainability of capture fisheries. The indispensable
caloric contributions of fish to global food sustainability are widely acknowledged. Social dynamics
significantly influence coral reef governance strategies. Hatchery operations sustain Alaskan salmon
fisheries, and river hatchery evaluations aim to bolster local and regional runs. Sustaining the marine
resource base for people, whether for food or economic livelihoods, demands ongoing engagement and
education [21, 22].
Case Studies of Successful Aquaculture Practices
Contemporary usage identifies several innovative techniques and practices within aquaculture as crucial
to achieving sustainable fisheries and enhancing food security on a global scale. The array of innovations
includes advanced cage-culture techniques, improved seed production methods, refined feed formulation
processes, integrated farming models, genetic enhancements, and more sophisticated management
systems. A comprehensive study conducted in the Philippines on cage culture reveals that various
societal-level institutions greatly influence the outcomes of aquatic production, occasionally reinforcing
one another while at other times creating gaps, insufficiencies, or challenges that need to be addressed.
The institutional areas that require immediate attention and development include the establishment of
stringent environmental standards and effective pollution control measures to ensure the health of
aquatic ecosystems. Additionally, ensuring a more equitable distribution of benefits is essential to
empower local smallholders and provide them with fair opportunities within the industry. Furthermore,
there is a pressing need for the development of responsive municipal ordinances that can adapt to local
conditions and needs, along with the adoption of collective mindsets that help overcome distractions and
ensure the implementation of effective regulation and governance in the aquaculture sector. In tandem
with these efforts, active governmental engagement in market arrangements becomes vital. This includes
the cooperative organization of smaller producers, which can enhance their collective bargaining power
and market presence. The exploration of new market opportunities, including potential export channels
or niche markets, is equally crucial. Lastly, providing access to various financial support mechanisms is
essential to foster a conducive environment for sustainable aquaculture development, thereby ensuring
that all stakeholders can participate and benefit from the growth of this vital industry [23, 24].
Future Trends in Sustainable Fisheries
The rapid growth of the aquaculture sector continues to captivate policymakers, researchers, educators,
investors, and entrepreneurs. Ongoing research delves into numerous objectives, including genetic
improvement, novel feeds and feeding techniques, resurfacing strategies, disease control, and
containment. These aspects warrant special attention given their critical role in steering fisheries toward
a sustainable trajectory. Advancements in areas like selective genetic enhancement have yielded strains
exhibiting superior growth performance, heightened disease resistance, and improved tolerance to low
oxygen environments. Complementing genetic progress, the development of alternative feed ingredients
reduces reliance on wild fish populations, mitigating ecological impacts. Technological innovations such
as automation, remote sensing, and integrated multi-trophic aquaculture enhance efficiency and
environmental compatibility. Policy frameworks increasingly support adoption of sustainable practices,
while community engagement and education underpin successful implementation. Collectively, these
converging trends indicate that sustainable-seafood production will continue to evolve at an accelerating
pace. Sustainability challenges in fisheries threaten the objectives of the UN Sustainable Development
72
EEJOURNALS OPEN ACCESS
Goal #14 (Life Below Water) and related blue economy initiatives for low-income and food-insecure
regions. Bathymetry and low trophic level fisheries (i.e., benthic and pelagic species), in particular, require
greater attention. Fisheries policymaking can benefit from a combined systems-thinking and open-
innovation approach to governance. Current innovation opportunities include offshore aquaculture in
ocean desert areas and low-trophic-level polyculture in tropical African waters. Although the Indian
Ocean supports 50% of the world’s tuna catch, tuna-marine-resource management is lacking. Ecological
engineering and integrated multi-trophic aquaculture (IMTA) can add value and mitigate climate change
by providing ecosystem services through extractive species [25, 26].
CONCLUSION
Sustainable aquaculture holds the promise of transforming global fisheries by bridging the gap between
ecological preservation and food production needs. Innovations in genetics, biotechnology, and feed
development offer scalable solutions to mitigate overfishing and reduce the sector's environmental
footprint. While technological progress has been remarkable, ensuring equitable access and affordability,
especially in developing regions, remains critical. Strengthened policies, adaptive regulations, and
supportive infrastructure must align with scientific advancements to address systemic challenges in
aquaculture. Stakeholder collaboration across governments, private sectors, and research institutions is
essential for integrating sustainability into every facet of aquaculture. When effectively managed and
innovatively implemented, aquaculture can lead the transition to resilient, inclusive, and climate-smart
fisheries, safeguarding ocean ecosystems while feeding a growing global population.
REFERENCES
1. Henriksson PJ, Troell M, Banks LK, Belton B, Beveridge MC, Klinger DH, Pelletier N, Phillips
MJ, Tran N. Interventions for improving the productivity and environmental performance of
global aquaculture for future food security. One Earth. 2021 Sep 17;4(9):1220-32. cell.com
2. Brugere C, Bansal T, Kruijssen F, Williams M. Humanizing aquaculture development: Putting
social and human concerns at the center of future aquaculture development. Journal of the World
Aquaculture Society. 2023 Apr;54(2):482-526. wiley.com
3. Verdegem M, Buschmann AH, Latt UW, Dalsgaard AJ, Lovatelli A. The contribution of
aquaculture systems to global aquaculture production. Journal of the World Aquaculture Society.
2023 Apr;54(2):206-50. wiley.com
4. Bartley DM. World Aquaculture 2020–A brief overview. 2022. google.com
5. Singh DP. FISHERIES MANAGEMENT AND REGULATIONS: BALANCING HARVEST
AND SUSTAINABILITY. INDUSTRIAL FISHERY TECHNOLOGY. . wisdompress.co.in
6. Obiero KO, Klemet-N'Guessan S, Migeni AZ, Achieng AO. Bridging Indigenous and non-
Indigenous knowledge systems and practices for sustainable management of aquatic resources
from East to West Africa. Journal of Great Lakes Research. 2023 Jun 1;49:S128-37.
sciencedirect.com
7. Bartley DM. World Aquaculture 2020–A brief overview. 2022. google.com
8. Sampantamit T, Ho L, Lachat C, Hanley-Cook G, Goethals P. The contribution of Thai fisheries
to sustainable seafood consumption: national trends and future projections. Foods. 2021 Apr
17;10(4):880. mdpi.com
9. K. Sarker P. Microorganisms in Fish Feeds, Technological Innovations, and Key Strategies for
Sustainable Aquaculture. 2023. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
10. G. Pereira A, Fraga-Corral M, Garcia-Oliveira P, Otero P et al. Single-Cell Proteins Obtained by
Circular Economy Intended as a Feed Ingredient in Aquaculture. 2022. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
11. D Houston R, Kriaridou C, Robledo D. Animal board invited review: Widespread adoption of
genetic technologies is key to sustainable expansion of global aquaculture. 2022.
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
12. Abdelrahman H, ElHady M, Alcivar-Warren A, Allen S et al. Aquaculture genomics, genetics
and breeding in the United States: current status, challenges, and priorities for future research.
2017. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
13. Macedo HR, Junior OJ, Werneck PR, Feiden A. CARBON FOOTPRINT AND
AUTOMATION IN AQUACULTURE. Revista de Gestão Social e Ambiental. 2024;18(11):1-5.
[HTML]
14. Tang KW. Contrasting effects of aeration on methane (CH 4) and nitrous oxide (N 2 O)
emissions from subtropical aquaculture ponds and implications for global …. Journal of
Hydrology. 2023. academia.edu
73
EEJOURNALS OPEN ACCESS
15. Elleby C, Domínguez IP, Nielsen R, Nielsen M, Hoff A. Introducing maximum sustainable yield
targets in fisheries could enhance global food security. Communications Earth & Environment.
2025 Jan 17;6(1):33. nature.com
16. Munguti J, Muthoka M, Chepkirui M, Kyule D, Obiero K, Ogello E, Madalla NA, Kwikiriza G.
The fish feed sector in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, and Rwanda: current status, challenges, and
strategies for improvement—a comprehensive review. Aquaculture Nutrition.
2024;2024(1):8484451. wiley.com
17. Rowan NJ. The role of digital technologies in supporting and improving fishery and aquaculture
across the supply chain–Quo Vadis?. Aquaculture and Fisheries. 2023. sciencedirect.com
18. Lindfors ET, Jakobsen SE. Sustainable regional industry development through co-evolution-the
case of salmon farming and cell-based seafood production. Marine Policy. 2022.
sciencedirect.com
19. Bartley DM. World Aquaculture 2020–A brief overview. 2022. google.com
20. Bhujel RC. Global aquatic food production. Aquatic food security. 2024. [HTML]
21. Jolly CM, Nyandat B, Yang Z, Ridler N, Matias F, Zhang Z, Murekezi P, Menezes A. Dynamics
of aquaculture governance. Journal of the World Aquaculture Society. 2023 Apr;54(2):427-81.
wiley.com
22. Costa-Pierce BA, Bockus AB, Buck BH, van den Burg SW, Chopin T, Ferreira JG, Goseberg N,
Heasman KG, Johansen J, Shumway SE, Sims NA. A fishy story promoting a false dichotomy to
policy-makers: it is not freshwater vs. marine aquaculture. Reviews in Fisheries Science &
Aquaculture. 2022 Sep 13;30(4):429-46. tandfonline.com
23. Mitra A, Abdel-Gawad FK, Bassem S, Barua P, Assisi L, Parisi C, Temraz TA, Vangone R,
Kajbaf K, Kumar V, Guerriero G. Climate change and reproductive biocomplexity in fishes:
Innovative management approaches towards sustainability of fisheries and aquaculture. Water.
2023 Feb 12;15(4):725. mdpi.com
24. Mustafa S, Estim A, Shapawi R, Shalehand MJ, Sidik SR. Technological applications and
adaptations in aquaculture for progress towards sustainable development and seafood security.
InIOP Conference series: earth and environmental science 2021 Mar 1 (Vol. 718, No. 1, p.
012041). IOP Publishing. iop.org
25. Jiang K, Chen C, Jiang G, Chi Y, Xu C, Kong L, Yu H, Liu S, Li Q. Genetic improvement of
oysters: current status, challenges, and prospects. Reviews in Aquaculture. 2024 Mar;16(2):796-
817. researchgate.net
26. Ali A, Altaf MT, Bedir M, Liaqat W, Jamil A, Nadeem MA, Baloch FS. Biotechnological
advancements toward sugarcane crop improvement. InIndustrial crop plants 2024 Apr 23 (pp.
333-352). Singapore: Springer Nature Singapore. [HTML]
74