Defining Threshold Limits for Multiple Abiotic Stressors in Fisheries and Aquaculture Systems

ABSTRACT

Aquatic ecosystems are increasingly exposed to multiple abiotic stressors driven by climate change, environmental degradation, and anthropogenic activities. These stressors, including temperature fluctuations, dissolved oxygen depletion, pH alterations, ammonia accumulation, salinity changes, excessive stocking density, and contamination by inorganic and organic pollutants, can adversely affect fish physiology, growth, reproduction, immunity, and survival. The objective of this review is to synthesize current knowledge on threshold limits of major abiotic stressors relevant to fisheries and aquaculture systems and to evaluate their individual and interactive effects on aquatic organisms. The review highlights substantial interspecific variation in tolerance limits, greater sensitivity of early life stages, and the importance of considering multiple stressor interactions when defining sustainable environmental thresholds. Evidence indicates that rising temperatures can intensify contaminant toxicity, reduce dissolved oxygen availability, and alter salinity and ammonia dynamics, thereby increasing physiological stress in aquatic organisms. A comprehensive literature survey was conducted using major electronic databases, including Google Scholar, Scopus, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, and PubMed. Relevant peer‐reviewed research articles, review papers, and technical reports published over the past seven decades were identified using appropriate keywords and Boolean search operators. Understanding these threshold limits is essential for developing science‐based management strategies, improving fish welfare and production efficiency, and supporting adaptive policies for sustainable fisheries and aquaculture under changing environmental conditions. Interestingly, we anticipate that this review will serve as a valuable reference for researchers, aquaculture practitioners, policymakers, and other stakeholders involved in the sustainable management of aquaculture and fisheries resources.