The Role of Fisheries Biotechnology in Enhancing Sustainable Aquaculture Productivity

Abstract

The rapid expansion of global aquaculture has created both opportunities and challenges for sustainable production, including disease outbreaks, feed inefficiency, and environmental degradation. This study provides a comprehensive literature review of fisheries biotechnology as a tool to enhance aquaculture productivity while maintaining ecological sustainability. A total of ten peer-reviewed studies were systematically selected and analyzed to evaluate genetic, microbial, nutritional, and environmental biotechnological interventions. Findings indicate that genetic tools, such as marker-assisted selection and CRISPR/Cas9, significantly improve growth rates, disease resistance, and adaptability of cultured species. Microbial biotechnologies, including probiotics and biofloc systems, contribute to improved water quality, immune responses, and feed conversion efficiency. Nutritional innovations, such as nano-enhanced and functional feeds, further optimize growth performance and resource utilization. Despite these advances, research gaps remain regarding the long-term ecological impacts, socio-economic feasibility, and integration of multiple biotechnological strategies in diverse aquaculture systems. The study emphasizes the importance of a holistic and context-sensitive approach, integrating biotechnological innovation with governance, risk assessment, and sustainable management practices. Recommendations for future research include empirical evaluations in small- and medium-scale aquaculture, socio-economic analyses, and standardized sustainability metrics to guide implementation. Overall, this review demonstrates that fisheries biotechnology offers transformative potential to advance sustainable aquaculture productivity, provided that technological innovations are applied responsibly and adaptively.