Consumers are becoming more interested in eating a low-calorie protein with Omega-3 fatty acids to help reduce risks of heart disease, state fish experts said at the 91st Pennsylvania State Farm Show. That has helped propel the state to a No. 4 ranking nationwide in commercial trout production.
Sam Sherk, PennAg assistant vice president/aquaculture, said Pennsylvania has 42 commercial trout growers and ranks first in trout distributed for conservation and recreational purposes. The state also has 26 commercial growers of other aquatic species, including carp, catfish, hybrid striped bass, perch, tilapia and walleye.
Pennsylvania fish farmers produce bait fish, ornamental fish, sport fish, soft-shell crabs, crawfish, frogs, tadpoles, turtles, clams, mussels, oysters, shrimp and snails.
These aquaculture operations have annual sales of $10.9 million, with the trout industry representing 38 percent of that total, state Agriculture Secretary Dennis Wolff said.
Source: Patriot News