Transforming Aquaculture for a Sustainable, Welfare-Oriented, and Health-Promoting Future

Aquaculture is at a pivotal stage of transformation, faced with the dual challenge of meeting growing global demand for aquatic foods while fundamentally rethinking production practices to safeguard environmental integrity, animal welfare, and public health. As the industry expands, there is mounting recognition that the future of aquaculture depends not only on optimizing the production volume, but also on continuing to be relevant to encourage consumers to transition to more sustainable diets and to promote public health.A primary focus of emerging aquaculture systems is the development of sustainable and ethical production strategies that move beyond conventional reliance on marine-derived feed ingredients and antibiotic-driven disease control. The search for innovative, ecologically responsible alternatives to fishmeal and fish oil—including plant, algal, insect, and microbial proteins and oils—marks a decisive step toward reducing pressure on wild fisheries and shrinking the environmental footprint of farmed seafood.At the same time, advances in microbial ecology and health-promoting feed additives are offering viable solutions to long-standing challenges around animal health management. Incorporating probiotics, microbiome modulation techniques, and medicinal aromatic plants (MAPs) as dietary supplements not only fortifies the immune systems of aquatic animals but also substantially curtails the use of antibiotics and synthetic chemical treatments, promoting healthier stocks and reducing the risk of antimicrobial resistance.Optimizing feed formulations, therefore, is not just about supporting rapid growth, but about holistic nutritional strategies that fine-tune diet composition for improved fish vitality, welfare, and premium flesh quality—ensuring that seafood products are consistently rich in beneficial nutrients, including omega-3 fatty acids, while remaining free from undesirable residues and contaminants.Finally, the alignment of aquaculture practices with emerging standards for environmental responsibility and ethical stewardship will be central to ensuring that seafood retains—and enhances—its role as a consumer-trusted, health-promoting food. By integrating sustainable feed innovations, advanced health management, and a robust commitment to animal welfare, aquaculture can deliver high-quality seafood that meets the expectations of modern consumers and the requirements of a rapidly evolving food system.This Research Topic invites research, reviews, and perspectives that:• Establish links between human nutrition, animal welfare, seafood quality, and public health outcomes;• Pioneer the use of novel, sustainable feed sources in aquaculture;• Explore alternatives to antibiotics and chemicals via probiotics, microbiome management, and medicinal plants; and• Chart actionable pathways for an aquaculture industry centered on sustainability, transparency, and long-term human and environmental wellbeing. Topic editors: Cosmas Nathanailides, Markos N. Kolygas Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/72446/transforming-aquaculture-for-a-sustainable-welfare-oriented-and-health-promoting-future