The One Health concept: fate, risks, and countermeasures of antibiotics and ARGs in aquaculture

The rapid expansion of intensive aquaculture has increased the reliance on antibiotics for disease prevention and control, which in turn poses serious threats to aquatic ecosystems and public health. Bibliometric analysis shows that research on antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in aquaculture has garnered sustained interest, with an emphasis on the “One Health” concept. Herein, we synthesize current knowledge regarding the environmental fate of antibiotics in aquaculture, associated ecological and human health risks, and potential mitigation strategies. Acting as sinks and secondary sources of antibiotics, sediments and suspended particulate matter promote the dissemination of ARGs, which may ultimately lead to accumulation in farmed animals and potentially to human exposure. Current AMR risk assessment methods, such as resistance selection risk quotients, ARGs–mobile genetic elements–pathogen linkages, and risk-ranking frameworks, still necessitate the integration of ARGs expression data and experimental validation to enhance accuracy. Moreover, substantial regional disparities in antibiotic governance and maximum residue limits reflect inconsistent regulatory practices across countries. We call for enhanced international collaboration, whereby developed countries, upon strengthening their regulations, provide support to developing nations via technology transfer, expert exchange, and data sharing. Future research should further focus on the role of multiple environmental matrices in driving AMR and develop economically feasible and environmentally sustainable control strategies. Collectively, this review provides an integrative perspective on the fate, risks, and countermeasures of antibiotics and AMR under the “One Health” concept. • Antibiotic migration and transformation processes in aquaculture environments are summarized. • The roles of suspended particulate matter in antibiotic migration and the development of AMR are highlighted. • Prospective AMR mitigation strategies are proposed to promote sustainable aquaculture.