Romanian trout farms and wineries - successful touristic attractions

In Romania, the fish consumption has greatly decreased in the last 25 years. Nowadays per capita consumption of fish is 5 kg a year in comparison with 1989 when it was 10 kg. People who enjoy eating fish can choose free-living species or deriving from aquaculture. Due to overfishing and pollution, the free-living fish population has declined while aquaculture has increased and has become a very productive economic activity to the benefit of the Romanian consumers. Currently in Romania there are 1,100 societies managing farms and fish hatcheries which breed numerous species of fish: goldfish (Carrasius auratus), carp (Cyprinus carpio), chub (Leuciscus cephalus), barbel (Barbus Barbus), bream (Abramis Brama), huchen / Danube salmon (Hucho Hucho) and trout - Rainbow trout (Oncorhyncus mykiss), brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis), and indigenous trout (Salmo trutta fario). The most numerous Romanian trout farms are in Transylvania, especially in the mountain regions. The fish meat is an important source of protein, being preferred for the delicate texture and sweet meat. Romanians like fresh or smoked fish, rarely frozen or canned. The article also discusses the tight connection between fish - in particular the trout - and wines in the Romanian gastronomy as touristic attractions.