Vlakon is exploiting synergies from a broad portfolio of activities
Farming ďŹ sh for processing and angling Production from ďŹ sh farming in Latvia, though modest, is increasing slowly but steadily. In the ďŹ ve years from 2012 to 2016 output increased one and a half times to over 1,400 tonnes. Production of carp is responsible for much of this increase, but other species such as rainbow trout and sturgeon have also contributed.
A
quaculture in Latvia has traditionally been dominated by ponds where carp is cultivated often in polyculture with other species. With the development of recirculation aquaculture systems more high value species are being farmed including rainbow trout and sturgeon as farmers make use of support from the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF) to invest in this technology.
Aquaculture using pits created by mining activities Some entrepreneurs have, however, discovered fish farming via an unusual route. The company
Vlakon was established in 1998 by Ms A. Kozule and is located in the Rezekne region along the main highway between Riga and Moscow and some 60 km from the border, where it owns approximately 200 ha of land. Mr G. Jevsikovs manages the company started by offering anglers the chance to fish in ponds that it maintained, where they can try and catch rainbow trout, sturgeon, pike and other lake fish. Later it became involved in stone quarrying. The sand and gravel that is mined is used to lay roads, while the stone is used for building purposes. Excavating this material leaves large pits in the soil which, if they are deeper than 10-12 m, tend to fill up naturally
The hatchery was designed and built by Mr Jevsikovs with only little help from experts. Today the hatchery is five years old.
due to the height of the water table in the region. The presence of water in the pit makes further excavation financially unattractive, so the idea came up of using the pits to farm fish and specifically large rainbow trout, carp, and catfish. The water that flows into the pits is very pure, says Mr Jevsikovs, taking a mouthful to prove his point. And when it is cold it is diverted to the pond containing rainbow trout, while if it is warmer it is used to farm carp. The water entering the pits is about 8 degrees centigrade, while rainbow trout require 14 to 16 degrees. In summer as the water warms up under the influence of the sun cooler water can be pumped in to maintain the optimal temperature.
Georgijs Jevsikovs, manages the company Vlakon, which has interests in a range of fishrelated and other activities.
Stone quarrying has resulted in the excavation of pits that are used to farm fish.
XXX FVSPlTINBHB[JOF DPN
# " " (*%%