Gilthead sea bream and European sea bass aquaculture is widely established in the Mediterranean
and North-eastern Atlantic regions, and rearing is mainly in coastal net-pen facilities. The rapid
growth of the fish farming industry increases the potential number of farmed fish in the wild.
Escape-related issues are likely to increase unless escape-management policies are included into
the aquaculture legislation in the near future. This review summarizes the potential direct
interactions among escaped fish and nearby farmed fish stocks, wild conspecifics, and coastal fish
populations, since these interactions could compromise sustainability in coastal areas.
Socioeconomic implications are also addressed, given that escape events can also lead to
economic losses for farmers and may alter local fishery landings. Fish markets and consumers
might be also affected. This review compiles the current knowledge on the potential effects of
escapees in coastal areas, and contributes to the existing risks analyses regarding sea bream and
sea bass escapes. Eventually, the need to design management policies to prevent or minimize
escape events and to mitigate further impacts, applicable to Mediterranean countries and of
special interest in areas where these species are locally absent, is discussed in the context of
sustainable fin-fish aquaculture.