This study examines the sustainability of aquaculture through a three-pillar framework—environmental, economic, and social—using data from the Aquaculture Performance Indicators (APIs). The analysis covers 57 aquaculture systems worldwide, collecting data on 88 metrics. The results show that, on average, the three pillars of sustainability are mutually reinforcing, indicating no systematic trade-offs. However, significant variations exist among different aquaculture systems, with some performing poorly in certain dimensions. The study highlights the complementarity of the three pillars, suggesting that sustainable aquaculture is possible without fundamental trade-offs. It also identifies areas for improvement and key research needs, emphasizing the need for continued data collection and analysis to enhance the sustainability of the aquaculture sector. The findings support the idea that sustainable aquaculture is achievable through appropriate policy and investment decisions.This study examines the sustainability of aquaculture through a three-pillar framework—environmental, economic, and social—using data from the Aquaculture Performance Indicators (APIs). The analysis covers 57 aquaculture systems worldwide, collecting data on 88 metrics. The results show that, on average, the three pillars of sustainability are mutually reinforcing, indicating no systematic trade-offs. However, significant variations exist among different aquaculture systems, with some performing poorly in certain dimensions. The study highlights the complementarity of the three pillars, suggesting that sustainable aquaculture is possible without fundamental trade-offs. It also identifies areas for improvement and key research needs, emphasizing the need for continued data collection and analysis to enhance the sustainability of the aquaculture sector. The findings support the idea that sustainable aquaculture is achievable through appropriate policy and investment decisions.