Aquaculture and the conservation of biodiversity

Aquaculture is becoming in some countries an important source of income. 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 altering of natural habitats, especially due to the building of shrimp cultivars, b) contamination due to metabolic debris, chemical compounds (antibiotics, pesticides), c) hybridization, d) the introduction of exotic species (which in the near future will include transgenic organisms), and e) the inbreeding, determined by the high fecundity of the cultured water organisms. A series of measures are analyzed which could lessen the effect of aquaculture on biodiversity.