The rapid increase in aquaculture production in the world has raised fears of degradation of the aquatic environment, both in the industrially advanced as well as developing countries. Because of this, many governments and financing agencies now insist on environment impact assessments for permitting new aquaculture development programmes. Fishery agencies and institutions experience difficulties in responding to this for lack of appropriate informatio n. This book is an attempt to bring together and discuss the available information on the environmental aspects of various aquaculture systems, ranging from scenic beauty and socio-economics to ecological changes and genetic dilution of aquatic communities.