Aquatic Ecosystem Integrity and Sustainable Management of Fisheries

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue addresses the critical intersection of aquatic ecosystem integrity and sustainable fisheries management, responding to growing recognition that fragmented approaches inadequately address the complex socio-ecological challenges facing global water systems. Freshwater and marine environments are experiencing unprecedented pressures from climate change, habitat degradation, and overexploitation, threatening both biodiversity and the livelihoods of millions who depend on aquatic resources for food security and income. While the existing literature often adopts siloed perspectives that separate ecological conservation from resource extraction, or treats social and biophysical dimensions as distinct domains, this Special Issue emphasizes transdisciplinary frameworks that reconcile biodiversity preservation with socio-economic resilience. By bridging natural and social science methodologies, we aim to advance integrated governance models that operationalize the water–food–ecosystem nexus, moving beyond theoretical constructs toward actionable strategies for adaptive management. This collection seeks to fill critical gaps in understanding feedback loops between ecosystem function and human wellbeing, offering evidence-based pathways for achieving SDG 14 (Life Below Water) and SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) while supporting equitable resource stewardship.

1. Introduction, including scientific background and highlighting the importance of this research area.

Freshwater and marine ecosystems face unprecedented pressures from climate change, habitat degradation, and overexploitation. Fisheries serve as both a crucial protein source for billions and a key indicator of aquatic health, yet current management often fails to address feedback loops between ecosystem function and human wellbeing. Understanding these dynamics is essential for achieving SDG 14 (Life Below Water) and SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation).

2. Aim of the Special Issue and how the subject relates to the journal scope.

Aligned with Sustainability's commitment to interdisciplinary environmental research, this Special Issue seeks to advance holistic governance models that balance ecological thresholds with socio-economic needs, bridging natural and social science perspectives on water resource stewardship.

3. Suggested themes.

In this Special Issue, original research articles and reviews are welcome. Research areas may include (but are not limited to) the following [1–10]:

• Ecosystem-based fisheries management (EAFM);
• Climate adaptation strategies for aquatic systems;
• Socio-ecological resilience in fishing communities;
• Habitat restoration and water quality improvement;
• Policy frameworks for transboundary water governance;
• Innovations in sustainable aquaculture.

References

1. Basurto, X., et al. 2013. The social–ecological system framework as a knowledge classificatory system for benthic small-scale fisheries. Global Environmental Change
   
2. Cinner, J.E., et al. 2019. Building adaptive capacity to climate change in tropical coastal communities. Nature Climate Change
   
3. Free, C.M., et al. 2020. Impacts of historical warming on marine fisheries production. Science
4. Guo, C., Li, S., Ke, J., Liao, C., Hansen, A.G., Jeppesen, E., Zhang, T., Li, W., & Liu, J. 2023.The feeding habits of small-bodied fishes mediate the strength of top-down effects on plankton and water quality in shallow subtropical lakes." Water Research, 233, 119705. [DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2023.119705]
5. Islam, M.S., et al. 2025. Building Climate Resilient Fisheries and Aquaculture in Bangladesh: A Review of Impacts and Adaptation Strategies. Climate, 13(10)
6. Partelow, S. 2018. A review of the social-ecological systems framework: applications, methods, modifications, and challenges. Ecology and Society, 23(4)
7. Lin, M., Li, Z., Liu, J., Gozlan, R.E., Lek, S., Zhang, T., Ye, S., Li, W., & Yuan, J. 2015. Maintaining economic value of ecosystem services whilst reducing environmental cost: A way to achieve freshwater restoration in China. PLOS ONE, 10(3), e0120298.
8. Steadman, D., et al. 2025. Identifying a sustainable operating window for seaweed aquaculture in the Global North: balancing expansion barriers and carrying capacity. Aquaculture
9. Tye, S.P., et al. 2022. Climate warming amplifies the frequency of fish mass mortality events across North Temperate Lakes. Limnology and Oceanography Letters, 7, 510–519
10. Wang, Q., Li, Z., Lin, M., Ye, S., Li, W., Guo, C., Huang, G., Yuan, J., Liu, J., & De Silva, S.S. (2019). "A changed post-flood management strategy enables the culture-based fishery of the Liangzi Lake, Yangtze River Basin, China, to remain economically and environmentally viable." Fisheries Management and Ecology, 26(6), 548-557

Prof. Dr. Jiashou Liu
Guest Editor

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• ecosystem-based fisheries management (EBFM)
• social–ecological systems (SES)
• aquatic biodiversity conservation
• climate adaptation and resilience
• culture-based fisheries (CBF)
• carrying capacity assessment
• integrated water resource governance
• habitat restoration and water quality