LATVIA
trend in blue mussel abundance observed after the round goby invasion of the southern Latvian coast also suggests that the fish could exert significant predation pressure on blue mussels. Significantly lower blue mussel biomass is found at depth zones dominated by round goby. Round goby by themselves have also become an important prey
item to piscivorous fish species such as cod and turbot. Cod in particular show better body condition in coastal regions where round goby dominates their diet. Nowadays, however, cod, as well as other piscivorous fish in the Baltic Sea, are few in number and, in most cases, humans or seals could replace them in a contest with such invaders.
Unfortunately, seals usually prefer other prey. So far, one thing is clear—round goby has become a permanent resident in the Baltic Sea. It can significantly increase catches and profits in some coastal regions. However, it should be borne in mind that fishermen are interested in this fishery only as long
as there are market opportunities, and currently these opportunities exist mainly outside the EU. Didzis Ustups National Institute of Food Safety, Animal Health, and Environment (BIOR) Tel.: 371 6761 2409 didzis.ustups@bior.lv www.bior.lv
Blue Circle starts farming Arctic char
Building a market from scratch Starting production of Arctic char at the end of last year, the Latvian company Blue Circle’s export markets vanished as lockdowns were put in place across Europe forcing the company to pivot towards its domestic market.
T
he role of aquaculture in the production of fish has increased across the world— most spectacularly in Asia. While annual production from aquaculture jumped in each of the decades commencing 1986, 1996, and 2006, in the years 2017 and 2018 it slowed down significantly, mainly due to lower growth in China. Globally, since 2016 farmed seafood has contributed just over half the volume of fish for human consumption. In Europe, with the exception of Norway, growth in farmed seafood has not been as rapid as it has in other parts of the world, but efforts are being made to change this including by reducing bureaucracy, making support available, and by earmarking areas for fish farming. Farmed fish output in Europe accounts for about 17 of total European fish production, broadly in line with the ratio in Africa and the Americas.
A new farmed species is introduced In Latvia, farmed seafood stems entirely from inland
Lauris Apsis (left), managing director of Blue Circle, and his brother Helmuts Apsis, production manager
waters—there is currently no marine aquaculture. Fish are farmed in ponds, flow through systems, or recirculation aquaculture systems. Production from recirculation aquaculture is mostly rainbow trout and
sturgeons, but as of last year a company, Blue Circle, has added Arctic char to the list of species being farmed in Latvia. The company was started by Lauris Apsis and his brother who,
06_LATVIA (LV).indd 29
in December last year, finished construction of the farm, which Mr Apsis describes as the most modern recirculation aquaculture system in the Baltic States. This was a big step forward from six years ago when the brothers &VSPlTI .BHB[JOF
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