Introduction
In the context of increasing global demand for seafood products, aquaculture—now representing more than 50% of global seafood production—is widely seen as a viable economic development solution compared to fisheries, particularly in coastal areas. However, this is not the case in Europe, where access to new production sites has become increasingly constrained for aquaculture producers. The aquaculture sector also faces growing pressure to improve its environmental and social sustainability, as it is often perceived as contributing to biodiversity loss and social tensions within local communities, while competing with other marine activities and uses.
The Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework highlights the need for innovative approaches in coastal areas that simultaneously support marine ecosystem conservation, food security, and social inclusion, particularly in relation to the 30×30 target. Similarly, the 2026 report of the Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) calls for transformative changes across all economic sectors. This evolving global context presents significant challenges for aquaculture, but also creates an opportunity for a paradigm shift in its development.
Materials and methods
This study examines the Regenerative Blue Economy (RBE) framework, as introduced by Le Gouvello and Simard (2024) and recently endorsed through an International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) resolution adopted in October 2025 (IUCN, 2025), as a comprehensive and operational approach to guide and accelerate sustainability transitions in marine aquaculture social–ecological systems. Positioned at the science–policy interface, it explores how RBE principles can support a transition towards ocean-positive aquaculture practices that not only minimise environmental impacts but also restore ecosystem functions and promote equitable access to marine resources and benefits for coastal communities.
RBE principles are analysed in relation to complementary aquaculture approaches aimed at enhancing food system sustainability, including restorative or regenerative aquaculture (Alleway et al. 2023; Mizuta et al. 2023), ecological aquaculture (Costa-Pierce, 2021), marine permaculture (Spillias et al. 2024), conservation aquaculture, aquaculture as a Nature-based Solution (Le Gouvello et al. 2023), and aquaculture within Marine Protected Areas or associated with Other Effective Area-Based Conservation Measures (OECMs)(Le Gouvello et al. 2017). Using RBE principles as an analytical lens, strengths and limitations are identified across case studies of aquaculture systems: low-trophic aquaculture (shellfish and algae) in Europe, integrated multi-trophic aquaculture in China, and community-based clam restocking in a locally managed marine protected area in Senegal. Across these cases, key enabling conditions and success factors are identified to inform both policy and practice.
Results and discussion
Results highlight the importance of developing integrated regional and national RBE strategies that connect aquaculture with other marine sectors, including fisheries, tourism, marine renewable energy, blue infrastructure, and marine conservation initiatives, within a broader transition towards ocean regeneration. Approaches such as Marine Spatial Planning and Integrated Coastal Zone Management, combined with policy instruments such as the European Union (EU) Restoration Law and the EU Ocean Pact, are identified as critical levers. Innovative financing mechanisms, including nature credits and partnership-based approaches, are also discussed.
The paper finally proposes a preliminary research and policy agenda, including new performance indicators to assess the contribution of aquaculture systems to regenerative and equitable marine development. It further discusses the challenges of aligning more intensive aquaculture models with regenerative principles and identifies priorities for future interdisciplinary research. The paper advocates for alignment between the future European 2040 aquaculture strategy and EU Ocean Act and the internationally recognised IUCN resolution on the Regenerative Blue Economy.
References
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