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Earthen fish ponds are the main fish-producing facilities in Central and Eastern Europe. In many of them, carp is the principal production species but with several other accompanying species . The role of ponds in those countries is not only recognized as a fish-producing facilities since there are many other aspects that play no less important roles.

The hydrological function (with small-scale water retention and shortening of humidity circulation), biodiversity improvement, landscaping process, culture promotion and educational activities are factors that have equal importance to fish production. One of the most important roles is the protection of the catchment area against excessive eutrophication.

Many other form of aquaculture are seen to be a source of pollution rather than protection. Earthen ponds, with extensive or semi-intensive ways of fish production, produce however a lot of organic matter and can act as a specific “trap” for biogenes present in riverine waters entering the system. Phosphorus compounds and nitrates are incorporated very efficiently into biological processes within the “biological reactor”, which is the basement of trophic chains in the aquatic environment. The balance of advantages and disadvantages show that earthen fish ponds act as a biological treatment for eutrophic riverine catchments.

Dr. Miroslaw Kuczynski, biologist, Ph.D. in Aquaculture at Agricultural University, Szczecin, Poland.    Since 1986 in Aquaculture Research and Development. Professional activity: fish physiology, aquaculture techniques and environmental aspects of Aquaculture. At present, Research Director in Polish Academyof Sciences, Institute of Ichthyobiology & Aquaculture. Secretary of Silesian-Krakow Regional Branch of Polish Fisheries Society.

Contact details: Zaborze, ul. Kalinowa 21, 43-520 Chybie, Poland. Tel. +48603773329, fax:+48338561245, Email: jarad@bb.onet.pl