Aquaculture has strong potential for sustainable food production but is limited by regulatory gaps, spatial and infrastructure constraints, high innovation costs, and dependence on unstable public funding. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) face difficulties adopting sustainable practices and competing with low-standard imports. A coherent and integrated policy approach is essential to streamline licensing, support innovation, and technological modernization, improve access to land and maritime space, strength domestic supply chains, and promote consumer awareness—ensuring sector’s resilience and competitiveness.