Final answer:
Aquaculture can lead to decreased biodiversity through the introduction of invasive species, among various environmental effects. These invasive species can escape and compete with or displace native species, threatening local ecosystems and the economies that depend on them.
Step-by-step explanation:
The answer to the question Which is a disadvantage of using aquaculture to produce fish is B) High cost of production. However, beyond costs, aquaculture can have several environmental disadvantages.
Notably, aquaculture can lead to the introduction of invasive species, which can in turn decrease biodiversity by displacing native species. These invasive species can escape aquaculture facilities and disrupt local marine ecosystems. Additionally, aquaculture operations sometimes contribute to habitat destruction and can be a source of disease for wild fish populations. While aquaculture may be designed to offset overfishing and provide a consistent source of fish, it's important to manage the environmental impact carefully.
Examples from the real world show that cultured fish, particularly non-native species, have the propensity to escape and, therefore, potentially harm the native wildlife and ecosystems. These escapes can change the dynamics of the local marine environment, sometimes leading to diminished biodiversity and restructuring marine ecosystems, which affects not just the fish species but also the human populations reliant on them for food and employment.