AQUACULTURE AND THE CONSERVATION OF BIODI VERSITY

Aquaculture is becoming in some countries an important source of incom e. But, this activity attempts against biodiversity, its conservation having become a worldwide concern, because its loss would drastically decrease the quality of life of humankind. In this article aquaculture practices that affect aquatic biodiversity are analized: a) the alter ing of natural habitats, especially due to the building of shrimp cult ivars, b) contamination due to metabolic debris, chemical compounds (a ntibiotics, pesticides), c) hybridization, d) the introduction of exot ic species (which in the near future will include transgenic organisms ), and e) the inbreeding, determined by the high fecundity of the cult ured water organisms. A series of measures are analyzed which could le ssen the effect of aquaculture on biodiversity.