Freshwater Fish Production Decreased by Nearly 30 Percent

Freshwater fish production in Croatia decreased by 29 percent last year compared to 2011, with a total of 4,441 tons of freshwater fish produced last year, according to data from the Croatian Bureau of Statistics.

In carp ponds, the production of consumable fish last year amounted to 3,209 tons, a decrease of 15 percent compared to the previous year, while trout production in ponds was halved, with 1,232 tons produced, representing a 51 percent annual decrease. According to statistical data, carp production accounted for the largest share of total freshwater fish production at 56 percent, followed by trout with a share of 28 percent.

The majority of production in carp ponds was related to carp production, with 2,484 tons of carp produced last year, or 14 percent less than in 2011. In carp ponds, 384 tons of white and gray mullet were also produced, which is 38 percent less than the previous year. However, the production of grass carp increased by 28 percent to 202 tons, and catfish production increased by 50 percent to 36 tons.

In carp ponds, 103 tons of other fish were produced, which is one percent less than in 2011. According to DZS data, the production of fry increased by 30 percent last year to 3,322 tons.

Just over 80 percent of last year’s fry production was related to carp, with a production of 2,684 tons, while 638 tons pertained to fry of other fish. The Bureau obtained data on freshwater fish and fry production for 2012 from the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Rural Development – Fisheries Administration.

The quantities of fish produced (caught) refer to the quantities sold on the market. Statistics do not reflect the achieved weight (growth) during the year that was not sold on the market and was transferred to winter storage.

DZS also presents data on the areas of ponds in operation in its statistics on freshwater fisheries, and according to this data, the area of trout ponds decreased by 19 percent compared to 2011, to 49,897 square meters, while the area of carp ponds increased by 10 percent to 10,650 hectares.

Statisticians note that the area of ponds in operation (the area under fish production) during the reporting year refers to the utilized productive water area in the previous year and is almost always less than or equal to the total productive area, considering that not all fishing facilities are used for fish production during the year.