This article discusses the problems of pond farming in the Valley Barycz in the face of constraints and opportunities which determines the Natura 2000 programme, with particular attention to the issue of protected fish-eating birds. The article attempts to demonstrate that the excessive emphasis on environmental protection can paradoxically contribute to environment degradation and bankruptcies fish-farms. The author tries also to prove that an effective solution for conflicts on the line: ecology – fish management may be adaptation the legislation to the current economic conditions and the introduction automatic compensation for damages caused by protected birds, which decimate fish farms within Natura 2000.