IN BRIEF : World Salmon Production Soars

WASHINGTON — Salmon production is soaring at fish farms worldwide, spurred in part by greater demand and buying power in Japan, an Agriculture Department report said.

“Worldwide salmon production is estimated up 75% from last year to over 300 million pounds,” the report said. “Norway, the top producer, likely raised about 160 million pounds in 1988, almost double 1987’s output.”

In the United States salmon farming is concentrated in Washington, Oregon, California and, most recently, Maine. Last year’s production was around 85 million pounds, but the U.S. salmon figures for 1988 are not available yet.

Large Japanese demand and the strong value of the yen has boosted competition in world salmon markets, the report said. The heavy buying by Japan has reduced the U.S. supply of top-quality salmon available to consumers, forcing some restaurants to remove salmon from their menus.

Salmon farming makes up only a fraction of total U.S. aquaculture production, but some authorities believe the industry is poised for a major expansion, perhaps doubling or tripling domestic output in a few years.

Overall, including food and non-food fish, shellfish and other aquatic products, U.S. aquacultural output rose by 20% in 1987 to almost 750 million pounds, worth $650 million.