In Finland the role of aquaculture in the fisheries sector is more important than generally in the EU. The value of the fish raised for food is higher than the value of the catch of professional fishing. Aquaculture products, especially roe, constitute the most valuable part of the Finnish fisheries exports.
Annually about 13 million kilos of fish is raised for food in Finland, most of this in the south-western sea areas. The most important species is rainbow trout, which represents about 90 per cent of the output, but the selection is in the increase. The farming of European whitefish, arctic char, trout and sturgeon is becoming increasingly common. Finland is expected to become one of world's main producers of caviar in the near future. In addition, the farming of pike-perch and inconnu is also in its early stage. Research and development continues in order to get new valuable species to production.
Along with food fish aquaculture produces a lot of fry for both farming and stocking purposes. Finland has long traditions in the management of fish and crayfish populations in the natural waters with the help of extensive and diversified stocking programmes.
Thanks to long farming tradition Finland has become an important supplier of aquaculture technology and fish fry and juveniles also to global market. Finnish recirculation technology and feeding systems are used all over the world. Finnish companies and research institutes are also active in helping other countries to develop their aquaculture sector.