Page 40 - FAO Aquaculture News, May 2021 - No. 63

Carp Farming in Eastern Europe and

Central Asia: Webinar

arps, barbels and other cyprinids are the top species
Cgroup cultured worldwide, accounting for a quarter of
global aquaculture production volume (29 million tonnes)
and value (USD 62 billion) in 2018. This group includes
40 pecies farmed in 93 countries, while China is by far the
major producer (FAO, 2020). The top four cultured carps
are grass carp, silver carp, common carp and bighead carp,
which are marketed mostly domestically as relatively low Aquaculture Updates by Region
cost. Common carp are among the key fish species farmed
in the Europe and Central Asia region.

A webinar was organized as part of the project “Capacity
Development for Sustainable Fisheries and Aquaculture
Management in Central Asia, Azerbaijan and Turkey”
(FISHCap), which was developed under the FAO-Turkey ©FAO/A. Fersoy
Partnership Programme. The two-day technical event was
conducted virtually. The webinar was organized by FAO Common pond design for common carps in Central Asia.
in cooperation with partners, including the Freshwater
Fisheries Research Centre of Chinese Academy of – carp farming in China: technology and dissemination;
Fishery Sciences, Wuxi, China; the Research Institute – farmer’s organization: capacity and support to small-
for Fisheries and Aquaculture, based in Szarvas, Hungary; scale farmers;
Network of Aquaculture Centers in Central and Eastern – ornamental fish farming – Turkey case study;
Europe; the Turkish Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry; – carp nutrition and feeding;
and the Romanian Fish Farmers Association. – carp farming technology extension in China: role of
aquafeed companies; and
The aims of the webinar were twofold: (i) to acquaint – health management in carp farms.
participants with principles and techniques of carp
farming in Eurasia; and (ii) to share knowledge on modern During the exchange and discussion, it was noted that
and innovative technologies in carp farming. More than the main production systems in Europe for common
100 participants from Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, carp are pond culture and polyculture along with other
Tajikistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan attended carps. Often the ponds are part of a multifunctional
the webinar, including experts, farmers, researchers, space, where the surrounding area is used for recreational
representatives of fishers/fish farmers associations, and activities, or are connected with agritourism, farm stays,
companies and ministerial staff. education activities, entertainment or restaurants. The
ecosystem services of these multi-use farms are also
The webinar covered the following topics: highly important, for example as critical habitat for
– status and development trends of carp aquaculture in native waterfowl. Overall, the added value is often far
Central Asia and Eastern Europe; higher than the value of the fish production, up to ten
– induced breeding and nursery management of carps in times more. Relevant policy and capacity development
China; activities should recognize the multifunctional nature
– Broodstock Management and Genetic Improvement of of these farming systems, acknowledging consumer
Carp, a Hungary Case Study; demands, opportunities for environmental restoration and
conservation, and recreational activities. To this effect,
partnerships, research and development, and regional-
international cooperation are key to success, as will be
the involvement of all stakeholders, specifically women
Written by: and youth.
Haydar Fersoy
E-mail: Haydar.Fersoy@fao.org
FAO Subregional Office for Central Asia, Ankara, Turkey
Xinhua Yuan
E-mail: Xinhua.Yuan@fao.org SEE ALSO
FAO Fisheries Division, Rome, Italy FAO. 2020. The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture (SOFIA):
www.fao.org/fishery/sofia/en

FAO AQUACULTURE NEWS – Nº. 63 ■ MAY 2021 39