Trout farming in crisis: how the industry found itself on the brink of collapse

      The industry’s key problems are named as a high key interest rate and the absence of concessional lending, dependence on imported feeds with low efficiency, the legal tying of farms to specific plots, and a lack of state support in emergencies. Anomalous heat in the summer of 2025 led to mass fish deaths in net pens, which worsened the economic situation of the farms. Farmers faced additional disposal costs, and local residents experienced a deterioration of the environmental situation, writes the portal karelinform.ru. Social conflicts are also growing. For example, in Karelia residents are opposing new fish-farming sites, especially near drinking water sources. In several districts there have been cases where the local population challenged the legality of conducting surveys on the placement of new farms. Experts note the need for urgent measures, including developing flexible rules for relocating net pens, creating an emergency support system, conducting independent environmental assessments, and establishing dialogue between businesses, local residents, and authorities. The crisis in trout farming demonstrates systemic problems in Russian aquaculture: a lack of adaptation to climate change, insufficient state support, and poor consideration of socio-environmental factors when planning new projects. Solving these issues requires a comprehensive approach and a balance between economic interests and environmental safety.