Fish Welfare
Where: Poland
Who: Pustelnia
Bioeconomy theme: Aquatic/water systems
Food/ agriculture
Pustelnia produces fish, mainly carp and trout. Carp is produced in naturally preserved fishponds covering nearly 400 ha. The fish are fed with plankton (naturally occurring in the pond), sustainably produced cereals and trout is fed with high-quality fodder based only on natural ingredients, to provide optimal conditions closest to their natural diet. Pustelnia takes into account fish welfare which can be proved by the Fish Welfare Certificate, as well as annual audits for the certificate of the Code of Good Fishing Practices.

What does “Pustelnia” aim to achieve:
The farm carries out fish farming in a sustainable and pro-environmental way, based on a business model allowing to build its brand and maintain profitability. The owners of the fish farm constantly develop the company, introducing innovative solutions to attract new customer groups (e.g. new products, innovative forms of sales – fishtrucks, e-commerce; establishing contacts with local restaurants).
PUSTELNIA is also known and appreciated for the quality of the product it offers to its customers year-round. Anna and Sebastian Pyć encourage customers to eat carp all year round, not just at Christmas time. Now, more than half of the annual production (varying year to year due to low intensive production system on average between 100 and 200 tonnes) is sold during the year (excluding Christmas), while other producers only sell 5-10%. The owners also care about the quality and uniqueness of the products. The carp ham from Pustelnia, which has an exceptional taste, and which is served by the “Pstrąg Pustelnia” fish farm in Wola Rudzka, is on the regional List of Traditional Products of the Lublin Region.