Charting the Future: Advanced Technologies for Sustainable Parasite Control in Aquaculture.

Abstract

Parasite control in aquaculture faces challenges primarily due to the drug resistance of traditional chemical treatments, as well as environmental pollution and toxicity. Aquaculture is among the fastest-growing food-producing sectors worldwide, yet parasite infections remain a significant challenge to productivity and sustainability. Emerging methods such as natural products, gene editing, immunotherapy, and auxiliary technologies like nanotechnology and biosensors are becoming alternative strategies for sustainable parasite control. These methods show significant potential, particularly in preventing drug resistance and reducing environmental impact. However, these approaches remain at an early research stage, with issues such as unstable efficacy, limited validation in field conditions and uncertain long-term safety hindering their translation into practice. This review synthesizes current advances, highlights these knowledge and application gaps, and outlines future directions for developing more reliable and sustainable parasite management strategies in aquaculture.