Sustainable Aquaculture Practices: Balancing Economic Viability and Environmental Integrity in Developing Nations

This paper presents a critical evaluation of sustainable aquaculture practices in developing nations, with particular emphasis on achieving a balance between economic viability and environmental integrity. Given aquaculture’s expanding importance in global food systems—especially in regions confronting the overexploitation of capture fisheries—the study synthesises scholarly literature, institutional reports, and illustrative case studies from Nigeria, other African countries, and international contexts. Employing a thematic review approach, it explores interlinked dimensions, including socio-economic contributions, environmental stewardship, governance, technological innovation, equity, and climate resilience. The findings indicate that sustainable aquaculture is inherently multidimensional, requiring the integration of ecological management, market competitiveness, and social inclusivity. On the economic front, growth is driven by increasing domestic consumption, burgeoning export opportunities, and technological advancements, yet hindered by high input costs, inadequate infrastructure, and inefficiencies along the value chain. Socially, aquaculture strengthens food security and supports livelihoods; however, structural inequalities, particularly those affecting women and marginalised groups, remain pervasive. Environmental sustainability is contingent upon efficient waste management, conservation of aquatic habitats, and adaptive responses to the impacts of climate change. Furthermore, coherent policy and institutional frameworks—together with effective monitoring, certification, and traceability mechanisms—are essential for aligning production processes with both ecological requirements and market expectations. The study concludes that advancing sustainable aquaculture in developing nations demands a holistic strategy that harmonises economic performance, environmental responsibility, and social equity. It recommends strengthening integrated policy frameworks, enhancing capacity-building initiatives and extension services, incentivising eco-innovations, improving smallholder access to certification, and incorporating indigenous knowledge systems and gender-responsive approaches into sectoral planning. Implemented effectively, such measures can enable aquaculture to become a resilient, inclusive, and environmentally responsible pillar of national development and a significant contributor to global food security.