US: Researchers at the University of Idaho bolster the trout industry in Georgia

Scientists with University of Idaho’s Aquaculture Research Institute (ARI) are leading an effort to establish rainbow-trout production as a significant industry in the transcontinental country of Georgia. Trout are popular fare in Georgia, a former Soviet Republic located in the Caucasus region in Eastern Europe and West Asia. While Georgia possesses the natural resources and much of the infrastructure necessary to scale up its domestic fish production, it lacks expertise in aquaculture and currently imports most of its trout from bordering Turkey. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service identified trout production as an agricultural sector in Georgia with tremendous growth potential. FAS officials contacted ARI Director Brian Small to lead the Caucasus Agricultural Development Initiative (CADI), a project teaching modern aquacultural practices to Georgia’s existing fish producers, while also preparing native Georgians to become aquaculture trainers. ...