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¹ Department of Fisheries Sciences, Faculty of Environmental and Fisheries Sciences, Gorgan University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, Gorgan, Iran
² Research Institute of Marine Policy and Low, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, China
³ Institute of Industrial Science, University of Tokyo, Chiba, Japan DOI : 10.4194/AQUAST2561 Viewed : 158 - Downloaded : 70 With about 750 km of coastline along the southern Caspian Sea, Iran holds substantial potential for coastal aquaculture. Overfishing and other anthropogenic pressures have caused a sharp decline in valuable fish stocks, prompting the government to explore cage fish farming as an alternative to reduce pressure on wild populations, ensure food security, and support local livelihoods. This review synthesizes national efforts, policies, and scientific studies on cage aquaculture in the southern Caspian Sea, highlighting the key factors behind its limited progress. Between 2018 and 2023, cage aquaculture in the southern Caspian produced nearly 1,940 tonnes, with 1,850 tonnes recorded across central coastal counties (Mazandaran) in the 2023–2024 period, while provincial and national datasets show a wider but uneven distribution of production. These figures suggest that less than half of the region`s estimated carrying capacity is currently utilized. Environmental concerns, economic instability, stakeholder conflicts, and insufficient legal and technical frameworks continue to constrain sustainable growth. Nevertheless, targeted adoption of eco-friendly technologies, strengthened governance, and community-based management could unlock substantial capacity and lead to resilient development of cage aquaculture in Iran`s Caspian region. This review integrates ecological, socio-economic, and policy perspectives to provide a forward-looking framework for sustainable aquaculture planning in the southern Caspian Sea. Keywords : Cage aquaculture Caspian basin Sustainable development Policy framework Non-native species