I.   Characteristics, structure and resources of the sector  

                        a.            Summary

                        b.            History and general overview

                         c.            Human resources

                        d.            Farming systems

                        e.            Cultured species

                          f.            Culture systems

II.   Sector performance

                        a.            Production

                        b.            Market and trade

                         c.            Contribution to the economy

III.   Promotion and management of the sector

                        a.            Institutional framework

                        b.            Legislation and regulations

                         c.            Applied research, education and training

IV.   Trends, issues and development
 

 V.   References

            Bibliography

Fig. 1. Distribution and characteristics of the main aquaculture production sites by administrative units (National data, 2002)

I. Characteristics, structure and resources of the sector

a. Summery

Iran is located in the Middle East, northern part of the temperate zone, between latitudes of 25 o 00’ and 39 o 47’N longitude of 44 o 02’ and 63 o 02’ E. Total area of Iran is 1,648,000 sq. km. including 1.636 million sq. km. land area, 12,000 sq. km. water surface, 2700 km. coastal area in south (the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman) and north of the country (Caspian Sea).

Weather conditions differ greatly between the North and South, West and East of Iran, which permits various types of aquaculture (with almost 35 degree centigrade different from one place to other place).

Iran has 3 climatic zones; Arid and Semi-arid zone with annual precipitation of 30 to250 mm. and it covers some 90% of total land area, Mediterranean zone with annual precipitation of 250 to 600 mm. This area has dry and warm summers and cool, damp winters. The zone covers only 5 % of the lands, Humid, Semi-humid zone with annual precipitation of 1000 to 2000 mm. Caspian Sea region, west Azerbaijan and south west of Zagros. The zone covers only 5% of the lands.

Fish farming in Iran, initiated with Fish stock enhancement in the Caspian Sea and then continued for the semi-intensive aquaculture, utilizing Chinese carp species, Rainbow trout and recently White Shrimp.
In recent years, shrimp culture has been the main concern of government investment in the southern coast (the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman). Aquaculture development in Iran expanded mainly after the Islamic Revolution (1979), with greatest growth rate since 1980. Production from aquaculture source and aquaculture based fisheries has been increased rapidly from 4,935 tones in 1978 to more than 124,000 tones in 2004.
The aquaculture proportion from the total fish production in Iran was about 27% in 2004 (124,000 tones) and its portion will continue to increase in the fourth five year plan; starting from 2005.

Warm water aquaculture production derives from fish ponds using intensive and semi-intensive technologies, based on factory feeds.

Figure 2-Aquaculture in Iran’s vs. total Fish production -2004

Factory feeds are commonly applied for rainbow trout and shrimp culture in raceway and earth pond respectively.

Shrimp culture operates on earth pond, in southern coastal areas. The total fish pond area in Iran is about 26,239 ha. The major species in warm water aquaculture are Common carp and Chinese carps. Chinese Carps represents 52%, rainbow trout 24%, white shrimp 8% and aquaculture based fisheries 16% of the total fish production from aquaculture sources in Iran in 2004. Aquaculture production is mainly produce for domestic markets, which is about 92% in terms of volume. The main export commodity of Iran is shrimp and Caviar; which shrimp represented 42 % of the total fish export value in 2003. The specialized fish processing plant for shrimp processing and packaging are located in the southern coastal areas; therefore only shrimp production can be processed and packed; mainly for export.
The legal and institutional background of aquaculture development in Iran is relatively well established, and the law of “conservation and harvesting of aquatic resources”; approved in 1997 by the parliament, leads the fisheries and aquaculture activities in Iran.

As the base of stock enhancement program in the Southern Caspian coast, the Iranian Government established eight hatcheries to produce bony fishes and sturgeon fingerlings for releasing to the Caspian Sea. These hatcheries were the base of fingerling production; both for private fish farming, as well as stock enhancement program. At present all aquaculture chain activities, including feed and larvae production, fish/shrimp culture, processing, marketing and trade are done collusively by private sector.
The Government supports the private sector by giving low interest rate loan for aquaculture industries and low price suitable land. There are three Cooperatives Union (cold water, warm water and Shrimp) have been formed to lead the aquaculture development, collaborate in decision making and support farmers. Iranian Fisheries Organization has invested a considerable amount of money to establish research centers in different parts of the country for supporting aquaculture industries chain.

Jump Top of the Page