Sturgeon farmer uses new type of cage

Sturgeon

THE Russian company Sokoloffcaviar is using a new type of cage with stainless steel ring mesh to produce sturgeon and caviar, reported the latest AES magazine.

The company, founded by Aleksei Sokolov and based in the Bushma, a feeder river to the Volga delta, has three lines of cages for breeding and holding of spawning caviar stock, and also has a hatchery and nursery facilities.

It produces Russian sturgeon, Sterljad and Beluga for restocking, as well as growing mature fish for caviar production of 40 tonnes per year, giving 2.5 tonnes of caviar.

The ongrowing cages are made of ring-mesh steel nets; the large mesh size reduces the need for cleaning and there is no biofouling. It lasts longer than fibre nets and allows for ‘natural’ food to enter the nets to supplement the extruded feed provided.