Georgia: The rivers of Ambrolauri and Oni municipalities have been stocked with 90,000 quirts of trout stream of the “Red Nuskhi” type, a local variety of rainbow trout.
This is part of a project to support and restore the local fauna species in the region, which has been implemented by the National Wildlife Agency of the Ministry of Environment and Agriculture since 2016.
The project aims to promote the natural reproduction of the trout by releasing incubated river trout quirite and larvae into the wild, with minimal human intervention.
This method maximizes the percentage of natural hatching and ensures the genetic diversity of the trout population. A similar trend is in several European countries, where trout conservation and restoration efforts have succeeded.
The private sector is also actively involved in this process, as some of the trout were donated by local fish farms and hatcheries. The project plans to continue similar activities throughout the region in the future, as well as monitor the status and health of the trout in the rivers.
The process of fishing the river was attended by State Commissioner Papuna Margveladze, Mayor of Ambrolauri Municipality Zviad Mkheidze, and Chairman of City Council Aslan Saganelidze. They expressed their support for the project and praised the cooperation between the public and private sectors. They also highlighted the importance of the trout for the local economy, tourism, and ecology.
The trout is one of Georgia’s most popular and valuable fish species, especially in the mountainous regions. It is prized for its taste, nutritional value, and sports value. The “Red Nuskhi” trout is endemic to the Rioni River basin and has a distinctive reddish colour and black spots. It is considered a delicacy and a symbol of the region.
Kvemo Svaneti consists of Tskhenistskali Gorge from the headwater to the Muri Bridge. Lower Svaneti with Lechkhumi has had the Dadians of Samegrelo since the early 19th century; this is why it is also known as the Canadian Svaneti.
