As marine aquaculture continues to expand to meet the increasing demand for seafood products, it still faces many challenges, but also presents significant opportunities for coastal and marine developments. This presentation explores the evolution of marine aquaculture development, examining the key challenges, opportunities and bottlenecks faced by the industry from a socioeconomic perspective. Integrated by its very nature, the concept of sustainability applied to aquaculture is still difficult to put into practice because of the limited capacity of operators to integrate its various dimensions in practice, and in particular its social dimension. This protean dimension remains difficult to grasp beyond over-simplistic translations, although it is one of the main bottlenecks in the sector today. As a legacy of the history of its development, this issue questions the objectives assigned to marine aquaculture and its development. It is therefore necessary to rethink the way in which the sustainability of aquaculture developments is addressed and the way in which these developments are thought and planned. The growth of aquaculture has been accompanied by a strong quest of sustainability, driven by concerns over environmental impact, social equity, and economic viability. However, the rapid succession of concepts and frameworks aimed at achieving sustainable aquaculture has led to a fragmented understanding of what sustainability truly entails. There is then the necessity of a comprehensive and nuanced understanding of sustainability in the context of marine aquaculture development. By critically examining past approaches and experiences, we can identify lessons learned and opportunities for improvement. Moreover, there is a pressing need to bridge the gap between theory and practice, ensuring that sustainability initiatives are not only well-intentioned but also effectively implemented on the ground. Drawing upon an illustration from South Africa, where marine aquaculture plays a significant role in coastal livelihoods and economic development, we will try to highlight the challenges and opportunities specific to this region and the complexity of achieving sustainability in diverse geographical and socio-cultural contexts. While the Blue Economy approach in recent years has often been the framework for new aquaculture development and has gained popularity as a framework for sustainable ocean development, its implementation often fails to live up to its theoretical promise. In practice, the emphasis on economic growth and resource exploitation within the Blue Economy paradigm can perpetuate inequalities and environmental degradation, particularly in vulnerable coastal communities. It can also overlook the intrinsic value of marine ecosystems and fail to take sufficient account of issues of social equity and environmental justice as well as the diversity of production systems. Redefining sustainability and innovation to better address the socio-economic bottlenecks of aquaculture may also require new forms of development through institutional innovations or a new approach to the Blue Economy, such as the Regenerative Blue Economy. Nature-based-Solutions and restorative aquaculture rooted in territorial needs are all examples of aquaculture development that could better meet the objective of sustainability through a holistic socioeconomic perspective. By addressing multifaceted challenges, seizing emerging opportunities and overcoming existing bottlenecks, it is possible to work towards a more sustainable and resilient future for the industry.