The concepts of water footprint and virtual water have emerged as crucial tools in understanding the scale, distribution, and management of global water resources, especially within the context of aquatic ecosystems. Water footprint, in its simplest form, measures the total volume of freshwater used to produce goods and services consumed by an individual, community, or nation. It encompasses three components: blue water, green water, and grey water. Blue water refers to surface and groundwater used directly in production processes, such as irrigation or industrial applications. Green water represents rainwater stored in soil and used by plants, which is essential for agriculture and natural vegetation. Grey water denotes the volume of freshwater required to assimilate pollutants generated during production, effectively measuring the water pollution associated with human activities. By capturing these three dimensions, the water footprint provides a holistic perspective on human water consumption and its impacts on aquatic ecosystems. Virtual water, on the other hand, is the volume of water embedded in products and services, reflecting the indirect water use throughout their production chains. For example, producing one kilogram of wheat may require approximately 1,300 liters of water, while a kilogram of beef might demand over 15,000 liters. When such products are traded internationally, virtual water is effectively transferred from water-rich to water-scarce regions, creating an invisible flow of water resources across the globe. This concept highlights the interconnectedness of water consumption patterns, trade, and the pressures placed on aquatic ecosystems, as nations may rely on external water resources to meet their domestic demands without physically transferring water. Understanding water footprint and virtual water is essential for assessing the sustainability of global water use. Aquatic