Ecobreves – VENEZUELA: Aquatic Species Discovered

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CARACAS, Oct 1 2005 (IPS) - Two fish species, five new types of crustaceans and two micromollusks were found in the delta of the Orinoco River, in northeast Venezuela, by researchers from the LaSalle Foundation for the Natural Sciences. ''We have already registered the new species and the report with international programs. These discoveries confirm that Venezuela is a 'megadiverse' country,'' Daniel Novoa, director of the Environment Ministry's Delta Project, told Tierramérica.

The Orinoco Delta is a fragile ecosystem of marshes that are home to more than 220 animal species. Since 1991, 30,000 of the delta's 40,000 square km have been part of the Man and Biosphere Program of the United Nations.

The research effort also determined that many of the delta species are threatened by unregulated fishing practices, particularly dragnet fishing.