Biomimicry-Based Design Strategies for Advanced Marine Aquaculture Cage Systems: A Review

The rapid expansion of marine aquaculture is essential for meeting the growing global demand for seafood within the framework of the Blue Economy. However, conventional aquaculture cage systems face significant challenges in offshore environments, including strong hydrodynamic forces, biofouling, structural fatigue, predator interactions, and environmental impacts from nutrient accumulation. These challenges highlight the need for innovative engineering approaches that improve cage performance while maintaining environmental sustainability. Biomimicry, defined as the practice of emulating nature’s time-tested strategies to solve human design challenges, offers promising solutions for developing resilient and efficient aquaculture infrastructure. This article explores how biological systems can inspire the design of next-generation marine aquaculture cages. Structural principles derived from deep-sea sponges (Euplectella aspergillum) demonstrate how hierarchical lattice architectures can enhance strength and stability under hydrodynamic loading. Shark skin dermal denticles provide insights for antifouling surfaces that reduce biofilm attachment and maintenance requirements. Flexible macroalgae such as kelp illustrate strategies for wave-resistant structures capable of adapting to dynamic ocean conditions. Hydrodynamic efficiency observed in schooling fish suggests optimized cage geometries that reduce drag and improve water circulation. Additionally, defensive mechanisms in porcupinefish inspire predator-resistant cage structures, while coral and mollusk biomineralization processes inform the development of self-healing materials for improved infrastructure durability. Beyond structural innovations, ecosystem-inspired approaches such as Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture (IMTA) mimic coral reef nutrient cycling to reduce environmental impacts, while sensory systems like the fish lateral line inspire smart monitoring technologies for real-time cage management. Together, these biomimetic strategies highlight the potential of integrating biological principles with modern engineering, advanced materials, and artificial intelligence to enhance aquaculture system performance. By translating natural design strategies into aquaculture engineering solutions, biomimicry can contribute to the development of sustainable, resilient, and efficient offshore aquaculture systems, supporting global seafood production while minimizing environmental impacts. Such innovations are expected to play a critical role in advancing sustainable marine food systems and strengthening the long-term viability of the Blue Economy.