fisheries and aquaculture activities in kurdistan region

Fisheries and Aquaculture Activities in Kurdistan Region

Firas Abdul Malik

Introduction:The total population of Kurdistan Region is about 4.9 million. The

Kurdistan Region consist of Erbil, Duhok and Sulaimania Governorates with Garmian Administration (KFC, 2014).

Fish Activity in Kurdistan region begins in 1960 when entered common carp fish to Dokan dam and Darbandikhan, did not come after that any economically an important experience until 1999, where the Food and Agriculture organization the establishment of two projects for fish one in Erbil and the other in Sulaimania, projects contain a hatchery for artificial reproduction of the species (common carp, silver carp and grass carp ), (Srhnk, 2012) the project contain the number of model fish pond the purpose of these model ponds is for demonstration and training, as well as the Food and Agriculture Organization establishment of 6 model fish pond in the Agriculture College in Duhok governorate purpose of these model ponds is for demonstration and training, as well as the organization2

Has distributed hand size fish to farmers who are found in has farm small ponds its establishment for the purpose of storing water as well as irrigation ,which is the first step to teach farmers in the Kurdistan region , profession raising fish, which is a new profession on the region (MAWR,2014).

Some estimates state that the total quantities of fish production (fisheries and river fishing) reached about 4.300 ton. The production, however, was affected by a number of factors, like fishermen’s non-compliance with fishing prohibitions during breeding season, in addition to fodder shortages, and insufficient monitoring. Available statistics indicate that there are 930 fisheries in the Region, most of which are fish farms. (MA, 2014; FAO,2009; FAO,2012).

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Introduction:

Sources of Water:The Sources of water in Kurdistan include:A. Rainfall and Snow 300 up to 1000 mm / year.B. Surface Water (Rivers, Streams & Springs). (30 BCM)

Billion cubic meters…..(12 BCM) %40 outside of Kurdistan…(18 BCM) 60% inside of Kurdistan (Khabur , Greater Zab, Lesser Zab, Sirwan & Awa Spi (Uthaim))

C. Ground water and subsurface water (Deep wells & shallow wells) - around 19000 deep wells.

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Kurdistan Population 2007Total Duhok Sulaimania Erbil4.910.742 973118 1917936 2019688

Table (1): Kurdistan Population (MP, 2013).

5Figure (1): Average total annual precipitation (MAWR,2013).

Table (2): Kurdistan Tributaries Production (Annual Flow) (FAO,2012).

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Rivers Length (KM)

Annualflow M3

% outside of

Kurdistan

% inside of

KurdistanKhabour 160 2.2 58 42

Greater Zab 392 14.3 42 58Lesser Zab 400 7.07 36 64

Awa Spi 230 0.7 0 100Sirwan 384 5.86 59 41Total

Amount of Water

30.15 40.2 59.8

7Figure (2): Kurdistan Major Dams. (MAWR,2014).

Duhok Dam Dokan Dam

DarbandiKhan Dam

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No. Project Type Project Number1 Ground Ponds 3012 Concrete Ponds 73 Floating Cages Projects 54 Floating Cage Number 485 Fish Breeders Number 12

Table (3): Different Fish breeding methods in Duhok Governorate-Northern Kurdistan (KFC,2014)

9Figure (3): Kurdistan Major Rivers. (FAO,2012).

1- Cyprinus carpio (common carp)

2- Silurus triostegus (Asian Djirri)

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Fish Catch: Species caught in Kurdistan:

3- Barbus grypus (Shabbout)

4- Barbus esocinus (Bizz)

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5- Liza abu (Khishni)

6- Aspias vorax (Shilik)

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7- Barbus sharpeyi (Bunni)

8- Cyprinion macrostomus (Bunni Kaper)

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9- Barbus luteus (Himri)

10- Mastacembelus mastacembelus

(Marmaritc) (Salbouh Abu Sian) 14


11- Carassius carassius (Shokhatt)

12- Barbus xanthopterus (Gattan)

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13- Condrostoma regium (Baloot Muluki)

14- Barbus belayewi (Toueni,Birtein)

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Kurdistan Region Government fiats /Ministry of Agriculture & Water Resources to support & improve the fisheries resources1. Distributing (1262) ton of diets for fish breeding projects

which contain about (50%) from diet coast-about (753 million Iraqi Dinars).

2. Producing about (654470) fingerlings from Erbil & Sulaimania hatcheries with supported price (25 ID/fingerling).

3. Distributing (48) fish floating cages for (12) fishermen in Duhok governorate in supported coats in (75%) which reached about (186 million Iraqi Dinars) .

4. Release (100.000) fingerlings to Dams.17

(KFC, 2014).

Gear used in Kurdistan:Fishing gears. (FAO,2012).1. Gillnets.2. Hand grenades.3. Dynamite.4. Electro fishing.

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Fish species farmed in Kurdistan

1- Cyprinus carpio2- Ctenopharyngodon idellus3- Hypophthalmichthys molitrix4- Salmon

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Fishing vessels:

Erbil, Duhok and Sulaimania Governorates with Garmian Administration Gillnets.

Table (4): Fishing vessels in Kurdistan Region

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# Governorate Fishing vessels Total Kind of motors usedMotorboat Non-Motorized

boat1 Erbil 150 60 210 Johnson - Yamaha

-Mercur -

horsepowerrange from 8 hp to

55 hp

2 Sulaimania 235 78 3133 Duhok 70 23 934 Garmian

Administration165 80 245

Grand total 2855 2285 861

(FAO,2012).

Locations: Fishing locations in Kurdistan region mostly spread in the dam locations

Table (5): Fishing locations (FAO,2012).

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Aquatic body Governorateand Location

Water area/ donam

Dokan dam Lake Sulaimania 76000 Donam

Darbandikhan dam Lake Garmian Administration

36000 Donam

Mosul dam Lake Duhok 135000 Donam

Khabour Duhok 160 Km length

Greater Zab Erbil 392 Km lengthLesser Zab Erbil 400 Km length

Awa Spi Garmian Administration

230 Km length

Sirwan Garmian Administration

384 Km length

People involved:Most of the fishermen in Kurdistan do not have official

licenses and aged between 15-20 years, as well as fishing is not considered important profession in Kurdistan region because of the nature and style of this region where fish is not of the main meals in the region, women do not work in the profession of fishing, most fishermen are illiterate, number of fishermen in Kurdistan governorates (930) fishermen.

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# Governorate No. of fishermen1 Erbil 2202 Sulaimania 3353 Duhok 1044 Garmian

Administration271

total 930

Table (6): Number of fishermen in Kurdistan. (FAO,2012).

Trading/Marketing:There are no private markets in the Kurdistan region to fish

sell as it exists in the central and southern governorates, fish sold in small shops within the vegetables & meat markets, There are no minutes statistics on the quantities marketed to the absence of a Statistics, but according to estimates by the Ministry of Agriculture in Kurdistan of inland production of 1500 tons of fish annually (MAWR,2014).

Law regulating the exploitation and protection of aquatic life (Law No. 48 of 1976). (FAO,2012). Closed seasons have been implemented for inland fishing in various areas in Kurdistan Region These periods extend from: April 1 to June 15.

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Policies/legislation affecting activities

Management initiatives, enforcement, implementing body:

There are no private associations and cooperatives of fishermen, the responsible on the implementation and application of these laws and conventions and instructions are the General Directorate of animal resources and Veterinary belonging to the Ministry of Agriculture in cooperation with the Ministry of the Interior in Kurdistan region. (FAO,2012).

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Table (6): Number of fish project and water area in Erbil.

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(FAO,2012).

Table (7): Number of fish project and water area in Sulaimania.

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(FAO,2012).

Table (8): Number of fish project and water area in Duhok.

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(FAO,2012).

Table (9): Number of fish project and water area in Garmian.

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(FAO,2012).

1.Most fish projects unfortunately depend on well water to be high establishment cost as well as the production cost, because the filling ponds require energy which redoubles the production cost that 50% of these projects only work.

2.The high cost of production because of the mountainous nature.

3.The adoption of the projects on groundwater which may be few nutrients and dissolved oxygen which causes the limited of production and the spread of diseases that are difficult to treatment.

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Conclusions:

Recommendations:1.Better management and utilization of natural

resources and the employment of manpower and financial resources for development of aquaculture in the region.

2.Further diversification of the species cultured.3.Further research on techniques to increase the

productivity of a given volume of water.4.Additional improvement of the balanced fish feeds

produced in the region.5.Developing the fish breeders skills by opening

workshops.6.Establishment of specialized syndicates or associations

for fish & fishing. 29

References:Al-Doori, I. E. (1979). Fundamentals and principles of agricultural policy in

Iraq Government Advertising and Printing Corporation, Baghdad.Cooley, J. K. (1992). Middle East water: Power for peace. Middle East Policy

1, no. 2 1-15.FAO, (1998). The state of the world’s plant genetic resources for food and

agriculture. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Rome, Italy. Pp. 510.

FAO/Regional Commission for Fisheries. (2009). Report of the Regional Technical Workshop on Aquatic Animal Health. Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, 6–10 April 2008. FAO Fisheries and Aquaculture Report. No. 876. Rome, FAO. 2009. 119 pp.

FAO.(2012) . Aquaculture topics and activities. Aquaculture. In: FAO Fisheries and Aquaculture Department [online]. Rome. FAO. Cited www.fao.org/fishery/aquaculture/en. FAO. Fisheries and Aquaculture Department, National Aquaculture Sector Overview - Iraq. 30

http://www.fao.org/fishery/aquaculture/en

References:(KFS).http://www.kurdistanfoodsecurity.com/.(2014). Kurdistan: Food

Security, Food Safety,Agriculture,Water, Livestock. Mhalhal, A. (1967). Agriculture extension, Ministry of Agriculture, Baghdad.

Pp. 89.MA.(2014). Ministry of Agriculture \ General Directorate of Fisheries in

Iraq.MP.(2013) Ministry of Planning \ General Directorate of Statistics in Iraq.MAWR.(2013) Ministry of Agriculture & Water Resources. Opportunities for

Investment in Agriculture Sector in Kurdistan Region – Iraq Projects For Investors. Kurdistan Region Government.pdf 19-40pp.

MAWR.(2014).Ministry of Agriculture and Water Resources. General Directorate of animal resources and Veterinary in Kurdistan Region.

Srhnk ,Nawzad Tawfiq .(2012). Regional Development Strategy for Kurdistan Region 2012-2016. Kurdistan Regional Government. Consultant Engineer .D. G of Strategic Planning.pdf.215pp.

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Thanks

Firas Abdul MalikDepartment of Animal

Production

fisheries and aquaculture activities in kurdistan region

Environment