Biodiversity integration drives sustainable and restorative aquaculture

We establish an ecological foundation for sustainable aquaculture, highlighting the essential role of ecological mechanisms in achieving biodiversity-positive, resilient aquaculture systems. Restorative aquaculture leverages species with ecosystem benefits – enhancing water quality, expanding habitat and supporting biodiversity - to address conservation challenges within sustainable food production. By combining restorative aquaculture with the concept of biodiversity mainstreaming and specifically with ecological principles dealing with species performances and species coexistence, we show how aquaculture systems can enhance ecosystem functions and economic viability simultaneously. This approach underscores how understanding and incorporating ecological dynamics can fundamentally transform aquaculture into a truly sustainable practice. Restorative aquaculture, when aligned with international biodiversity and sustainability goals, provides a strategic model for integrating biodiversity within food production systems, bridging ecological integrity with human needs in a globally impactful framework. • Restorative aquaculture promotes biodiversity and enhances ecosystem services. • Novel frameworks integrate aquaculture practices with conservation strategies. • Mechanistic modeling predicts species responses to environmental changes. • Advanced technologies optimize trade-offs in sustainable aquaculture systems. • Policy-aligned aquaculture addresses biodiversity and sustainability goals.