35. Commercial Production: Factors for Success and Limitations in European Percid Fish Culture

Percid farming is still in its infancy; however there are already a handful of commercial ventures successfully producing percids. The underlying factors for success for these companies include the introduction of technology that allows a more intensified production that is independent of season, such as RAS systems and the development of out of season spawning. General know how in these companies and research institutions is also accumulating over time. Continued investment in “learning” has resulted in some companies being able to break the barrier of pilot production and move into commercial production. There are still limitations for further upscaling of production. For established companies these include, domestication, stabilizing and streamlining production, slow growth in larger fish and nutrition. New enterprises find it difficult to find financial backing when there is a lack of general information on Percid markets; basing their sales projections on local traditional market prices. Lack of veterinary knowledge of percids and a working knowledge of RAS systems are also limiting in some countries. Finally, there are recommendations for future development necessary for improving production.