ColaQua.org
Title
Colorado Fish Hatcheries, Aquaculture, Rainbow Trout - Colorado Aquaculture Association
Contact
- Colorado Aquaculture Association
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- Monte Vista CO
- United States 81144-9516
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- +1.9705337980
Description
Colorado's Aquaculture Heritage
Colorado has a rich history of aquaculture development and production. Some of the first fish production facilities in the country were established in this state. Unlike other states located in the southern tier and coastal areas of the U.S., Colorado does not have a reputation as a major producer of aquacultured products. A semi-arid, continental-temperate climate, resulting in a relative scarcity of water, and a land-locked border discourage widespread use of "traditional" forms of aquaculture that require large amounts of flowing or standing water and/or year-around, sub-tropical temperatures.
For many decades, however, cool natural springs located in and near the mountainous areas of the state have been used for the production of several coldwater trout species; most notably, rainbow trout for the recreational and foodfish markets. More recently, producers have begun augmenting natural flow by pumping water from these underground supplies.
By far, in terms of sales, rainbow trout is the state's highest-value aquacultured commodity. During recent years, Colorado ranked fifth among all states with total trout sales of about $3.4 million. Despite the seemingly high ranking, Colorado's contribution to total national trout sales of about $72 million was relatively small, with Idaho producing nearly 47 percent of the national output of trout as measured by sales.
