OREANDA-NEWS On 18 February 2009 was announced, that according to the Khladoprodukt and Fish Union investment-analytical group, in 2008 aquaculture on trout in the Republic of Karelia has achieved over 12,2 thousand tons of volumes of trout breeding, including 8.5 thousand tons of commodity fish.

In the opinion of the head of the Khladoprodukt and Fish Union investment-analytical group T.Mitupov, within the scope of the Agro-Industrial Complex Development national project it was repeatedly emphasized how important is to develop aquaculture in Russia and to attain competitiveness of fish produced in Russia with similar articles imported. At present volumes of aquaculture and mariculture in Russia have achieved about 130 thousand tons. In comparison with Chineese aquaculture development of about 47 million tons, this parameter of domestic aquaculture development remains insignificant.

Aquaculture development in the Republic of Karelia has wide prospects for further growth regarding production ramp up. Now, in the republic there are 72 trout-breeding farms, 48 of which are up and running at full capacity, and others gradually join the production process.

Aquaculture development within the scope of the Agro-Industrial Complex Development national project in Karelia has started to pay off, and Karelian trout becomes a republic's brand promoted by both support rendered by the state within the scope of the national project, and by private industry ready to invest funds in development of domestic fish farming.