A Mediterranean perspective on antimicrobial resistance in aquaculture

This recent study in Aquaculture examines the growing challenge of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in aquaculture systems, highlighting how the use of antibiotics to control bacterial diseases in fish farming can promote the emergence and spread of resistant bacteria in aquatic environments. The authors explain that aquaculture operations—often located in open water systems—can facilitate the dissemination of resistant microbes and resistance genes into surrounding ecosystems, where they may persist in sediments, water, and aquatic organisms. These resistant bacteria can potentially spread through the food chain, the environment, and human exposure, raising concerns for both public health and ecosystem health. The paper emphasizes the need for more responsible antimicrobial use, improved disease prevention, better surveillance, and alternative health management strategies to ensure the sustainable growth of the aquaculture sector while limiting the spread of antimicrobial resistance.