Fisherman Nikolai Radchenko explains: “When I catch fish in rented water bodies, I don’t rush to take it to the market. Instead, I place it in a small pool that I made myself from available materials, such as plastic film. If the fish is injured during catching or transportation, I treat its wounds, and they heal quickly. I also enrich the water with oxygen by aerating it. In such conditions, fish can stay for up to two weeks. When creating a large pool, it is necessary to feed the fish, and one acquaintance does just that, which allows his carp and snakeheads to live for years. Building even a small cage requires costs that depend on its size. However, it is worth it: if you can’t catch fish, you can always sell fresh ones. Different species of fish can coexist in the cage, as well as crayfish, and live fish are more eagerly bought; they are more expensive than frozen or rotten ones. Everyone knows that live fish is healthier and tastier,” shares the experience of the fish farmer.
Thus, despite the successful example, only a few fish farmers in the Jayil district use this aquaculture practice. Building specialized pools requires certain investments and an engineering approach. Most fishermen and water body renters prefer a simpler method: to catch fish and immediately send it for sale.
