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

Monosex and sterile fish populations are increasingly recognized as essential tools for enhancing aquaculture productiv- ity 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, wel- fare, 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 sustain- able aquaculture. This paper synthesizes advances across finfish and crustaceans, critically evaluates technical and regu- latory 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