SLOVAK REPUBLIC
The aquaculture sector in the Slovak Republic
The challenges are not insurmountable given the strengths As a landlocked country, the Slovak Republic focuses on freshwater aquaculture, producing mainly freshwater fish species. The production of other aquatic animals, such as crustaceans and molluscs, and aquatic algae cultivation is not as widespread. Nonetheless, the aquaculture sector is characterised by a diverse range of fish species.
Fish consumption in Slovakia has remained low for a long time. On average, a person consumes 5.9 kilogram of fish per year, but only 1 kilogram of freshwater fish. It is a policy objective to achieve a gradual increase in fish consumption in Slovakia. It can be done
by promoting healthy fish food, demonstrating the preparation of fish meals, offering fish specialities at various social events, and by other initiatives.
What’s on the menu? Natural conditions dictate that the most popular fish species is undoubtedly the rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss), which accounts for up to 36.7 of the sector´s total production. In terms of production volume, next in line is the common carp (Cyprinus carpio), which accounts for 28.1 of total fish production in Slovakia. It is mainly farmed in warmer, lowland areas. Other species include the silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix), grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella), brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis), northern pike
Aquaculture facilities in Slovakia, 2022 Unit
Number
Slovak Angling Association Board
T
he aquaculture sector in Slovakia is small and most aquaculture enterprises can be classified as microenterprises, consisting mainly of family farms that achieve smallscale production intended for the local market. Nevertheless, a decisive share of the total aquaculture production is attributable to small enterprises and several medium-sized enterprises. In 2022, total aquaculture production amounted to 2,975 tonnes, which was under the 1 of the total EU aquaculture production.
Total area (ha)
Total volume (cubic m)
Companies
117
Ponds
502
Cages
136
16,799
Hatcheries
86
12,383
RAS
42
10,021
Concrete tanks
434
84,391
Plastic tanks
144
5,731
Fish-tanks
149
41,542
1,958
Source: Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development of the Slovak Republic
Rainbow trout contributes the largest volume (37%) to the farmed fish production in Slovakia. Pictured, an aerial view of a trout farm.
(Esox lucius), wels catfish (Silurus glanis), pike-perch (Zander lucioperca), and European eel (Anguilla anguilla). The African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) produced in recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) is also represented in the production. Historically, aquaculture in Slovakia developed in two separate areas. One of them was pond fish farming, which is now the most popular method of fish farming and primarily found in the country’s lowlands. It is characterised by taking advantage of the development of natural food, which is formed in the active layer of mud
(i.e. upper 15 centimetres) in shallow and very eutrophic ponds. Ponds are often used for mixed stocking, where the main fish is the common carp together with accompanying species, such as the white amur, bighead carp, northern pike, pike-perch. Nowadays, they also fulfil a number of secondary roles in the landscape, such as water retention, recreation, or irrigation. They play an important role in protected bird areas (NATURA 2000). However, this dual role significantly affects the level of fish production in Slovakia and is a subject of dispute between fish-farmers and ornithologists.
EUROFISH Magazine 6 / 2023
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