Engineering monosex and sterile fish for food production: from conventional methods to CRISPR-based precision

Abstract

Monosex and sterile fish populations are increasingly recognized as essential tools for enhancing aquaculture productivity while safeguarding ecosystems from genetic introgression and uncontrolled reproduction. Conventional approaches such as hormonal manipulation and triploidy have demonstrated utility but face persistent limitations in efficiency, welfare, and regulatory acceptance. Recent breakthroughs in CRISPR-based genome editing and germ cell transplantation now enable heritable, scalable, and biocontained control of sex and fertility, offering transformative potential for sustainable aquaculture. This paper synthesizes advances across finfish and crustaceans, critically evaluates technical and regulatory bottlenecks, and highlights convergent solutions integrating automation, artificial intelligence, and governance frameworks. By positioning reproductive programming as a cornerstone of climate-resilient and sustainable aquatic food systems, we propose a roadmap toward commercial adoption that balances biological precision, ecological safety, and societal acceptance.

Keywords

Genome editing / Germ cell transplantation / Monosex production / Reproductive biocontainment / Sustainable aquaculture

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Funding

Temasek Life Sciences Laboratory

RIGHTS & PERMISSIONS

The Author(s)