UAB Šalčininkų Žuvininkystės Ūkis, established in 1966, is a business with long-standing traditions located in the Šalčininkai district, Tribonys village. The fish farming enterprise started as one of the most productive fisheries in Lithuania and remains an important part of the fishing industry to this day.
The Šalčininkai State Fishery Farm, privatized three decades ago and taken under the management of Algimantas Gylys, became one of the most productive enterprises of its kind in Lithuania. Over the years, the farm’s territory has evolved, and currently, the pond area exceeds 340 hectares, with approximately 700 hectares of arable land.
The strategic goal of UAB Šalčininkų Žuvininkystės Ūkis is to continuously develop and improve the fish breeding and farming business while securing a strong position in the Lithuanian market. The company aims to meet national and European Union standards, produce high-quality products, ensure greater productivity, reduce production costs, and increase the profitability of the farm. The aquaculture and agricultural aspects of the farm are closely interconnected, as the farm grows its own feed for the fish.
UAB Šalčininkų Žuvininkystės Ūkis is implementing a project to continue nature management within its territory under the measure “Promotion of environmentally sustainable, resource-efficient, innovative, competitive, and knowledge-based aquaculture” as part of the “Environmental Functioning Aquaculture” initiative.
The goal of the nature management plan is to maintain an optimal environment for bird species inhabiting open habitats and to reduce the negative impact of pond operations on the ecosystems of related rivers and basins.
In February 2024, a contract was signed for the implementation of the project “Continuation of Nature Management at UAB Šalčininkų Žuvininkystės Ūkis.” The project’s activities are scheduled to begin in 2024 and conclude in 2027.
The project aims to maintain an optimal environment for bird species inhabiting open habitats over an area of 327.15 hectares. The objectives will be achieved by mowing meadows, cutting grass along pond embankments and shores, removing shrubs (and their regrowth) from the embankments and shores, reinforcing embankments, clearing silted canals, and cleaning silted pond zones in peat soils.
The environmental measures chosen for the project align with the ecological requirements of the bird species outlined in the nature management plan. These measures also respect the natural succession processes of the area and the characteristics of human agricultural activities.
The project complies with the requirements of the Lithuanian Fisheries Sector 2021–2027 Action Program’s second priority direction: “Promoting sustainable aquaculture activities, processing, and trading of fisheries and aquaculture products to contribute to food security within the Union.” It includes the preservation of critical habitat features for waterfowl, the creation of rest zones, and other measures that go beyond standard good aquaculture practices.
The implementation of the project is ensured by the administration of UAB Šalčininkų Žuvininkystės Ūkis, with planned measures executed using the company’s internal resources.
During the project’s implementation, environmental protection requirements, cost-effectiveness, climate change mitigation and adaptation, biodiversity preservation, disaster resilience, and risk prevention and management principles will be observed. Based on the methodology provided by the European Commission, intervention activities, priority areas, or measures will contribute to achieving goals related to combating climate change.
Energy- and resource-saving measures will be implemented during the project, supporting the principle of sustainable development. Additionally, principles of competition and public procurement contract compliance will be followed. The project is aligned with EU competition policy provisions.
The principles of gender equality and non-discrimination based on gender, race, nationality, language, origin, social status, beliefs, opinions, age, disability, sexual orientation, ethnicity, or religion will also be strictly observed throughout the project.
On July 1, 2024, we signed Contract No. 21SP-23-08-K-003-PR001 with the National Payment Agency for the implementation of the project. The aim of the project “Animal and Public Health Measures at UAB Šalčininkų Žuvininkystės Ūkis” is to promote animal health and welfare by controlling the spread of fish diseases and reducing parasite populations.
One of the preventive measures is the use of quicklime (CaCO3) for disinfecting pond bottoms, fish collection pits, channels, and fish storage facilities after water drainage. This method aims to destroy the pathogens causing aeromonosis, pseudomonosis, and swim bladder inflammation, as well as to eliminate parasites and their intermediate hosts. It is intended to prevent diseases such as argulosis, ichthyophthiriosis, caviosis, botryocephalosis, and piscicolosis.
Salt (NaCl) is an environmentally friendly disinfectant and preventive measure used to protect fish from ectoparasites. Salt solutions are effective for long-term disinfection of tools and equipment, while salt mixtures are utilized for disinfecting fish transport containers.
To ensure animal health and welfare, the disinfection of tools, the bottoms of water supply channels, discharge pipes, culverts, and fish collection pit outlets is crucial in aquaculture operations. Sodium hypochlorite (NaClO) will be used for this purpose.
To reduce bacterial contamination and improve cleanliness, enabling the clean and safe washing of dirty fish boxes and equipment surfaces and interiors, a high-pressure washing device (1 unit) will be acquired to achieve a high level of disinfection efficiency.
The project aims to promote fish health and welfare, control fish diseases using preventive measures, and produce high-quality products. It focuses on fostering sustainable aquaculture practices, enhancing the competitiveness of aquaculture products, and ensuring that the activities remain environmentally sustainable in the long term.
UAB “Šalčininkų Žuvininkystės Ūkis” is implementing the project “Investment in Product Value Addition and Solar Power Plant” No. 212IA-24-07-K-005-PR001 under the measure.
“Productive Investments in Sustainable Aquaculture Production and Related Value-Added Activities”
During the project, the following items are planned to be purchased: a 331 kW solar power plant, a telescopic loader, a cultivator, a lawnmower, and a thermal imaging camera. The aim of the project is to continue modernizing the company, increasing its operational productivity and competitiveness.
The objective of the project is to successfully develop and modernize the company’s production potential and processes, enabling an increase in the added value of products, promoting innovation, preserving the environment, and providing consumers with higher quality and better value-added aquaculture products.
Project start date: December 5, 2024 Project end date: June 30, 2026.
