n the Mediterranean and the Black Sea, aquaculture is an active and growing sector which plays a major role in achieving food security, employment and economic development while reducing the dependence on often overexploited wild stocks. According to some national aquaculture strategies, the production in Mediterranean and Black Sea riparian countries is expected to exceed 4 600 000 tonnes in 2020–2030. However, this rapid growth poses challenges for the overall sustainability of the sector in the long term and raises concerns from different points of view. Sustainable aquaculture means ensuring not only that the industry is economically and environmentally sustainable but also that farms operate in a socially and culturally responsible manner. Current challenges in terms of governance, spatial planning, economic and market issues, ecological and environmental concerns as well as the globalization of the aquaculture production market have highlighted the need for a regional strategy towards the sustainable development of aquaculture in the Mediterranean and Black Sea riparian countries.