On 29 January 1927, the Latvian Fishermen’s Congress decided to build the country’s first central fish farm “Tome”. The site chosen for the project was 4 km from Ķegums station, in Vecmuiža virsmuža, Tome parish, on the sources of the Prūšupīte, opposite the Ķegums rapids. In 1929, the farm was put into operation. In order to expand fish farming in the country, branches were established in 1932 at the Amata power plant, in Kārļi and in 1934 in Pelči near Kuldīga.
In the post-war years, the nurseries bred summer-run Baltic salmon, whitefish, brown trout, brook trout, various species of sturgeon, zander and rainbow trout on an experimental basis.
From 1979 to 1984, the hatchery underwent major expansion works, new roads were built, and a water supply from the Daugava River was installed.
Today, BIOR’s fish farms are fulfilling the national programme for the replenishment of fish resources and annually release at least 2 600 000 juveniles of various fish species and 11 600 000 fish larvae into Latvian waters. In turn, juveniles of rainbow trout, sturgeon, zander, crayfish and carp are reared for private fish farmers and pond keepers.
Lejupes iela 3, Rīga, LV-1076, 
+371 67620513
