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INTERNATIONAL CENTER FOR AQUACULTURE
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT 
SERIES NO. 16
AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT 
STATION
R. DENNIS ROUSE, Director
NOVEMBER 1977
PROJECT 211 -d
AUBURN UNIVERSITY
AUBURN, ALABAMA
Cr
9. L
L7 1
40
1
CO0N TE NT S
Page
INTRODUCTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
GEOGRAPHY AND CLIMATE.......................................... 3
FOOD AND AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTIONS.............................. 3
CURRENT STATUS OF FISH CONSUMPTION AND PRODUCTION.............. 3
Carp Farming in Poland.................................. 4
Trout Culture........................................... 6
Inland Fisheries in Poland .................................. 6
INVOLVEMENT OF U. S. FEED GRAINS COUNCIL
IN FISH CULTURE IN POLAND....................................... 6
APPENDIX 1 .................. ............................. 6
Itinerary ............................................... 6
APPENDIX 2 ............................................... 7
Research Project for Intensive Feeding of Carp in Poland .......... 7
PUBLISHED 11/77- lM
Information contained herein is available to all without regard to race,
color, or national origin.
FISH CULTURE IN POLAND
R. T. Lovell
2
INTRODUCTION
A VISIT WAS MADE to Poland in April 1977 to survey the
current status of commercial fish farming and research pro-
grams related to fish culture in that country. Purpose of the
survey was to evaluate proects for increasing yield of fish
through more intensive feeding of protein and energy rich
feeds. The trip was arranged by the U. S. Feed Grains Coun-
cil, the Agricultural Office of the U. S. Embassy in Poland,
and the Institute of Zootechnics in Krakow, Poland.
Information for the survey was provided by the three sup-
porting agencies mentioned above, by the Polish Academy of
Sciences, and by other government and private concerns.
Trips were made to several government experimental
stations, research laboratories, and commercial fish farms.
The itinerary for the visit is presented in Appendix 1.
Fisheries scientists from the Institute of Zootechnics
cooperated in designing a research project to be conducted at
the fisheries research station at Zator. The project, which
concerns various supplemental feeding practices to increase
yield of carp in ponds, is explained in Appendix 2.
This report presents data from the survey on the status of
food fish culture in Poland, emphasizing the present state of
the art, the environmental and physical resources, and the
potential for increasing yield and production of fish in the
country.
GEOGRAPHY AND CLIMATE
Poland lies in Eastern Europe in the same general latitude
as Canada. It borders Russia on the east, East Germany on
the west, the Baltic Sea on the north, and Czechoslovakia on
the south. It ranks second in Eastern Europe, after Russia, in
area (120,700 square miles) and population (33.5 million).
The population density is high, 270 per square mile. Literacy
rate is 98 percent.
The country consists primarily of lowlands, the main ex-
ception being the mountains in the south. Warmwater fish
farms are mostly along rivers because of the water supply.
Ground water is too cold to run directly into carp ponds
during the summer growing season. Thus, fresh water from
rivers is more desirable for replacement in periods of high
biological oxygen demand because it is near the same tem-
perature as pond water.
'This survey was supported by the U. S. Feed Grains Council and U. S.
Agency for International Development (Project 21 1-d).
2
Professor, Department of Fisheries and Allied 
Aquacultures.
Poland's climate is temperate with moderately severe win-
ters and cool to mild summers. The growing season for
warmwater fish, when the water temperature is above 15
- 
C,
lasts only approximately 90 days. There are only about 40
days when water temperature is above 20 * C and few days
when water temperature reaches 25 0 C.
Fish ponds freeze in winter and fish have to be removed
and concentrated in "wintering" ponds through which water
is pumped or agitators move water to prevent freezing.
FOOD AND AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION
Poland exported goods amounting to $6.1 billion (U.S.) in
1974, including coal, sulfur, and raw agricultural products.
Imports, which included oil, iron ore, foods, and feed grains,
totaled $7.1 billion (U.S.).
Thirty-eight percent of the labor force is engaged in
agriculture. The principal products are rye, barley, potatoes,
sugar beets, and hogs. Unlike other eastern European coun-
tries, Poland's agriculture is predominately non-socialized.
Private farmers manage 85 percent of the land and state
farms make up the remainder.
The farmer may use his land for any productive purpose so
long as he farms it. He has no production quota to meet and
may sell to either the open market or the state market. He is
financially rewarded for yield and efficiency. One farmer
may own a maximum of 100 hectares of land.
Because of small size of the farms and high cost of fuel,
mechanization is used to a small extent. Fertilizer is expen-
sive, and manure is more extensively used than commercial
fertilizer.
Poland does not produce enough food, especially meats, or
feed grains to meet the country's need. Pork is the favorite
meat. Beef is much less popular and dairy calves are often
exported rather than fattened for slaughter.
CURRENT STATUS OF FISH CONSUMPTION
AND PRODUCTION
Fish is a popular food in Poland, but most of that con-
sumed is canned or frozen marine fish that is caught by
Polish fishing fleets or imported. Approximately 600,000
metric tons of fish are harvested annually, but only 15,000
tons are farm raised (approximately 14,000 tons of carp and
1,000 tons of trout).
All carp produced in Poland is consumed within the coun-
try. Several sources estimated that 90 percent of the carp
consumed is marketed alive to be eaten on Christmas Eve as
K N
FIG. . I is commercial carp pond in Poland was 
constructed more than 75 years ago and is over 20 hectares 
in size. Carp culture is generally exten-
sive where ponds are large, stocking density is low, and 
natural pond organisms are a major source of the food 
for the fish.
a holidav tradition. Sources also indicated that carp is a well-
liked fish and is potentially marketable at other times during
the year.
Prices of farm-raised carp are comparable with pork.
There is a scarcity of pork, the preferred meat, which makes
markets favorable for increased quantities of fish. The gov-
ernment controls retail prices on many foods, including
meats and fish, which may work at an advantage or dis-
advantage for expanding fish production. This can keep fish
competitively priced with other meats or it may restrict the
profitability of fish farming.
Cultured trout are marketed primarily in restaurants or
exported. Their production costs are 
greater than for carp,
which limits their sale in conv entional fish or food markets.
Carp Farming in Poland
Carp is the major fish species cultured for food in Poland.
There are approximately 38,000 hectares of ponds for carp
production. Most of the ponds are 
well constructed but,
because carp production has traditionally been on an exten-
sive and not intensive basis, manv are too large (larger than
20 hectares) for proper management. Water supply to most
ponds is from ri\ers, but amount asailable is not alwas
adequate for intensive production where exchange of water
in the ponds is necessary. Amount of water used is regulated
by the government. Ground water is too cold for extensive
use.
The growing season in Poland is short for warmwater fish.
Carp selectively bred for conditions in Poland begin feeding
when water temperatures reach 15 0 C, usually the last of
May, and continue to feed through September. There are
only approximately 40 clays when the temperature is above
20 o C, when carp feed actively. Because of the short growing
season, 3 years are necessary for carp to reach 
1 kilogram.
With fertile ponds and some supplemental feeding, the fish
reach 40 grams (class K) the first year, 250 grams (class 
K
2
)
the second year, and the third year they grow to a marketable
size of 1 kilogram (class K
3
).
The average yield of 3-year-old carp is less than 500
kilograms per hectare. Some farmers, by using supplemental
grain feeding, can achieve 1,000 to 1,200 kilograms per hec-
tare. Under experimental conditions, yields of 4,000 to 5,000
YILI) OF CARP FRIOM PONDS \l I V RIO s ExIERHIMENTAI FEEl)IN(; RE(IMES
OBI AINED AT TtHEPolSIt ACADEM OF SCiENCEs EXPEBIMNTA I, FISt
CULTUItE STATION AT GOI sz
Year and
treatment
Fish/ Year Gain, A"v. Kg feed/
hectare class kg/ha fish size, kg gain
kg
FIG. 2. This 0.5-hectare pond has a ditch down the middle to concen-
trate fish when drained throuah the monk at the end. These ponds at
the freshwater fishery research stations of the Institute 
of Zootechnics
and the Polish Academy of Sciences are well constructed 
for fish
culture research.
1969
Control, nonfed ......
Fed w hole...........
Fed dough ..........
Fed standard pellet .
1971
Control, nonfed ......
Fertilized iponds ......
Fed Ahole wheat .....
Fed standard pellet' ..
Fed super pellet
2 
.....
1972
Control, nonfed ......
1Fertilized ponds ......
Fed super pellet
2 
. ....
Fed whole wheat .....
Fed standard pellet' .
Fed super pellet
2 
...
1973
(Control, nonfed ......
Fertilized ponds ......
Fed super p)ellet .....
Fed super pellet in conm-
mnercial pond .......
300
2,4100
2,400
2,400
300
900
3,600
3,600
3,600
300
900
4,000
10,000
11,000
10,000
300
900
4,000
4,000
191
2,513
2,046
2,652
180
477
2,565
2,748
3,502
241
518
3,825
2,321
3,346
3,762
186
509
3,970
4,434
0.87
1.37
1.35
1.43
1.00
.95
1.09
1.45
1.37
1.08
.88
1.23
.33
.43
.48
.93
.85
1.23
1.40
'Standard pellet contained 25 percent protein, mostly of plant origin.
2Super pellet contained 40 percent 
protein, mostly of animal origin.
ww
44l
__
FIG. 3. Aerators, such as these which are electrically powered, are lately being used in carp culture ponds where more intensive culture is being
practiced.
kilograms per hectare have been obtained by feeding nutrient
rich pelleted feeds in static ponds without continuous
aeration. Using (continuous aeratioiin (luring the heax \ feeding
period pushed y ields to 8,000 kilograms per hectare.
Carp
) 
farming in Poland is based on low density culture.
Among the several reasons for this are the scarcity of grains
and especially high protein feedstuffs for feeding fish, the risk
of oxy gen depletion in heav ily fed ponds, and tradition.
Most supplemental feed for carp is whole grains-barley,
rye, wheat, and sorghum. Blended or pelleted rations are not
commonlv used. However, se veral commercial pellet mills
have been constructed in the country in recent years for
poultryv and livestock feeds, and pelleted feeds for carp and
trout are made in limited quantity.
The importance of a transition from extensive to intensive
pond culture has been recognized by government fisheries
agencies. The traditional system requires more land, water,
maintenance, and time for fish production. In 1969, the
Polish Academnv of Sciences initiated a study for intensifying
carp production bx using liheavier stocking rates and protein
rich pelleted feeds. Yields Iup to 4,400 kilograms per hectare
have been harvested from intensively fed ponds, as shown byv
test data in the table. Such intensive feeding of carp will be
feasible only with a favorable market for the fish produced.
Feed ingredients are expensive. Oil seed meals and fish meal
are imported.
Pond aeration is not ordinarily used on commercial farms.
When farmers have low dissolved oxygen problems, they add
water to the ponds (when available) and reduce feeding.
Aerators such as shown in ligure 3 are itused onil experimental
farmns where intensive feeding is done. Deniand feeders of the
type sliownii in figure 4 proved more efficient than hand
feeding when used on anll exepiental Ibasis or cfeeding
pellets.
Reducing the time from 3 to 2 years for carp to reach
market size is another goal of researchers in Poland. If K, fish
could reach 100 grams, it would be possible to get K
2 
fish to a
mnarketable size of 0.6 kilogram in 2 xears. F arl spawning
is one approach being tried in an extensive research project at
the Experimental Fish Culture Station of the Polish Academy
of Sciences at Golysz. By spawning indoors in temperature
controlled water, spawnilng ma be accOiImplishle(d about 2
months earlier. The fry would then be fed in heated water un-
til pond water temperature increased to 15 0 C. This would
allow K, fish to reach a larger size.
2*r
.5-
V
FIG. 4. Demand feeders have been introduced recently in carp culture to allow intensive but efficient feeding.
--- ~n
Trout Culture
Trout are raised commercially in Poland but to a much
smaller extent than carp. Research on trout breeding, feeding,
management, and use of heated effluent water from electric
power plants is being sponsored by the Institute of Inland
Fisheries at stations in Gdansk and Olsztyn. Commercial
trout operations are found primarily in the north along the
Baltic Sea. Growing season is normally about 3 months, but
this can be extended by production in heated effluent from
power plants. The volume of trout produced in Poland is ap-
proximately 1,000,000 kilograms. Production is in ponds,
raceways, and suspended cages. Most trout are fed moist diets
prepared from fish scraps or trash fish ground and mixed
with dry ingredients and extruded through food grinders as
soft pellets. Some pelleted feeds are prepared on special order
by commercial feed plants in northern Poland. Production of
rainbow trout in Poland is costly because of the artificial en-
vironment and complex diets required. Markets for Polish
raised trout are limited to restaurants or export and will not
likely be for family use in the home.
Inland Fisheries in Poland
The Ministry of Agriculture is responsible for inland
fisheries in the country. Ministry departments and their re-
sponsibilities are: Department of Animal Breeding, which
contains the Division of Inland Fisheries; Union of State Fish
Farms, which is responsible for government managed fish
farms; the Department of Veterinary, which contains a Fish
Diseases section; the Institute of Zootechnics, which conducts
research in livestock and fish production; and the Depart-
ment of Agriculture Education, which is responsible for
technical training in fisheries and other agricultural science
areas.
The Polish Academy of Sciences has several fisheries ex-
perimental stations whose primary mission is research.
Students may participate in research projects at the stations,
but formal degree programs are not offered.
INVOLVEMENT OF U. S. FEED GRAINS COUNCIL
IN FISH CULTURE IN POLAND
A representative of the International Center for
Aquaculture at Auburn University, at the request of the U. S.
Feed Grains Council, worked with the Institute of
Zootechnics in Krakow to design a research project through
which the fishery research station at Zator will attempt to
enhance fish production through more intensive feeding
systems. The project, which is related to a grains trade agree-
ment between the United States and Poland, is outlined in
Appendix 2.
APPENDIX 1
Itinerary
April 4- Arrived Warsaw 12:50 p.m. Visited U. S. Embassy.
Briefed on mission by Gerald Harvey, Agricultural
Attache, and Dr. Halvor Kolshus, U. S. Feed Grains
Council.
April 5- Traveled to Krakow and met with Director and
other administrators at the Institute of Zootechnics.
Traveled to Zator and reviewed the Fishery Biology
and Water Environment Laboratory and discussed
a research project.
April 6- Traveled to Golysz and visited the Polish Academy
of Sciences Experimental Fish Culture Station. Re-
viewed projects on intensive feeding of carp for high
pond production in Poland.
April 7 - Designed a research project with personnel from the
Zator Station for feeding carp various test diets to
evaluate sorghum grain as a replacement for barley
and for developing a high protein pelleted carp feed.
April 8- Met with Dr. T. Backiel, Director of Ponds and
Rivers Department, Institute of Inland Fisheries,
to discuss fish culture research in Poland. Debriefed
European Director, U. S. Feed Grains Council, and
Agricultural Attache, U. S. Embassy, on findings
and proposed research project for carp culture.
APPENDIX 2
Research Project for Intensive Feeding of Carp in Poland
Project Design
A carp feeding experiment was designed to be conducted at
the Zator station by fisheries scientists of the Institute of Zoo-
technics. The purpose is to compare grain sorghum with a
traditional grain (barley) for carp fed at stocking densities
used by farmers, but with the grains fed by demand feeders to
allow the fish to feed as much as they want. The experiment
will also demonstrate the yield from sorghum grain plus a
protein supplement pellet fed separately. In addition, a 25
percent protein pelleted ration, the Zator No. 1, will be pre-
pared and tested with carp stocked at 3,000 per hectare.
The fish used in the experiment will be 2 years old and
weigh approximately 180 grams at the beginning of the
study. They should reach a weight of near 1 kilogram during
the experiment. Feeding will begin near May 1, 1977, when
water temperature reaches 15 o C, and will terminate Octo-
ber 15. All fish will be fed the grain or Zator No. 1 pellets by
demand feeder. The protein supplement will be fed by hand
in proportion to the amount of sorghum grain the fish con-
sume (1 kilogram supplement per 3 kilograms grain). Each of
the five treatments will be replicated four times in 0.2-hectare
ponds which have been divided in half with a plastic net. Dis-
solved oxygen, temperature, and pH will be measured bi-
weekly in the ponds. Dissolved oxygen will be monitored
carefully at daybreak during the period of highest water tem-
perature to avoid fish losses due to oxygen depletion. Yield of
fish, feed consumed, and average body fat content will be
measured for each pond.
The ingredient composition of the Zator No. 1 (25 percent
protein) carp feed is as follows:
Pct.
Sorghum grain ............. 50
Soybean meal ..... I......... 25
Fish meal ................ . 12
W heat .................. . 10
Pellet binder ............... 2
Dicalcium phosphate ........ 1I
The formula may be modified by reducing fish meal to 10
percent and increasing soybean meal to compensate for the
loss in protein. This change would not reduce 
the nutritional
quality of the ration seriously, and economics might 
justify
the change. Soybean meal may be substituted with 
sunflower
seed meal on an equal protein basis without a loss in quality
of diet provided fish meal is included in the formula. Wheat
is used to help bind the pellet. The pellet binder should 
be a
hemicellulose or lignin sulfonate 
product; however, molasses,
whey, and other materials may suffice.
Recommendations
1. The fish feeding experiment should be conducted in
1977. It is only moderately intensive and should give useful
results without great risk of fish losses. It should encourage
the researchers at Zator toward more intensive production in
the future.
2. An electronic oxygen meter to monitor dissolved
oxygen in the experimental ponds should be purchased for the
project. Cost is $500-$700 (U.S.).
3. A site visit by personnel from U. S. Feed Grains Coun-
cil should be made in May or early June to see 
if problems
have been encountered in getting the project started. 
Another
visit in August, the most active growing period for 
the fish,
should also be made to evaluate the conduct of the 
experi-
ment.
4. After the data from the experiment have been collect-
ed, a copy should be sent to the U. S. Feed Grains Council.
The Council will help the researchers of the Institute of Zoo-
technics prepare the data for publication in a fishery science
bulletin as a progress report on a continuing research study,
for distribution to fish farmers and feed producers in Poland.
5. The following year, 1978, modification of the Zator
No. 1 should be evaluated for more intensive carp produc-
tion. Yields of 4,000 kilograms per hectare and above should
be sought. Aeration and other management practices neces-
sary for intensive carp culture in Poland should be evaluated.
Corn should be tested as a replacement for sorghum grain in
carp feeds. After perhaps 3 years of biologically and eco-
nomically evaluating formulations for pelleted feeds for carp
under Polish conditions, consideration can be given to prep-
aration of a comprehensive research bulletin to be published
in international literature. Also an Institute of Zootechnics
experiment station bulletin for farmers and feed producers
should be published by that time.