Cavallo Marianna auteur aut IRD Raux P. auteur aut IRD Massa F. auteur aut IRD Fezzardi D. auteur aut IRD Agundez J. A. P. auteur aut IRD text journalArticle eng text/pdf reformatted digital access In some food production systems, sustainability and acceptability are considered umbrella concepts that can be assessed through a combination of criteria and indicators. After a remarkable and somewhat chaotic development in the early 1990s, European aquaculture has been evolving in both scientific and policy domains to improve, and to prove, its sustainability. The updated review of the literature and policy framework presented in this article highlights gaps in European studies, addressing mostly concerns over environmental impacts and food safety and less over economic impacts on other coastal activities or the effects on social values and local traditions. The analysis of the legislative framework demonstrates that the existing legislation adopted at different levels addresses most of the criteria of social acceptability through binding rules and supporting guidelines. Nonetheless, some elements of social concerns, such as the impact of escapes or the degradation of the landscape, remain unaddressed. Several actions are proposed that should be implemented by all actors involved in aquacultural management to improve social attitudes and, thus, the acceptance by the different segments of society. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2022;00:1-14. specialized Acceptability Criteria Environmental policy European aquaculture Social attitudes Sustainability EUROPE 040 021 [Early access] [14 p.] 2022 1551-3777 https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010086085 10.1002/ieam.4663 1551-3777 [F B010086085] https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010086085 https://horizon.documentation.ird.fr/exl-doc/pleins_textes/2022-10/010086085.pdf IRD - Base Horizon / Pleins textes 2022-10-07 2025-02-24 fdi:010086085 fre