Aquaculture is expanding rapidly, but infectious diseases continue to threaten production, profitability, and animal welfare. At the same time, CRISPR technology is evolving beyond its original role as a programmable DNA-cutting system. Base editing and prime editing enable increasingly precise genetic modification. Meanwhile, Cas12- and Cas13-based systems offer new possibilities for pathogen detection and RNA targeting. This broader technological landscape is sometimes described as ?CRISPR 3.0?. However, the term is conceptual rather than a formally standardized scientific classification. For aquatic animal health, its importance may lie not only in genome editing, but also in rapid pathogen diagnosis, functional investigation of host-pathogen interactions, precision breeding and future pathogen-targeted interventions. CRISPR-based assays have already been demonstrated for important shrimp pathogens, and recent work has extended multiplex detection of white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) and Ecytonucleospora hepatopenaei (EHP) to rapid, fieldoriented formats. Researchers are also investigating genome editing for disease-related traits in fish, while more advanced approaches such as prime editing and RNA targeting are emerging. However, most applications beyond diagnostics remain experimental and face challenges involving delivery, editing efficiency, ecological safety, animal welfare and regulation. CRISPR is therefore unlikely to replace conventional biosecurity and disease management practices. Instead, its greatest potential may be as one component of an integrated precision-health framework for aquaculture.