Deputy Chief of Mission Martina Strong joined Valeri Milovanov, the manager of Coho Farms, in launching Europe’s first coho salmon farm today, Friday, October 14, 2016 in the town of Gorni Okol. U.S. company Water Management Technologies Inc. and Canadian Aquaculture Systems CAS Inc. also took part in the ceremony. The $4 million investment includes USD 1.42 million of EU financial support and $1.05 million of U.S. equipment exports.
With the assistance of Water Management Technologies and Canadian Aquaculture Systems, Coho Farm has developed the first coho salmon facility in Europe and is the first facility in Europe using the Recirculating Aquaculture System (RAS).
RAS is a self-contained, land-based fish farming method that does not require direct water access, enabling abundant and fresh protein sources in any kind of geographic location where traditional aquaculture would be impossible.
Businesses and policymakers see RAS as a way to improve food access and gain a sustainable seafood supply while protecting the environment.
Note: ‘Coho’ is the name of a species of salmon.
