To enhance and diversify the animal protein base available to the majority of the population in Iraq, the GOI had made considerable investments in the general development of the fish industry prior to the sanctions (FAO. 2003a.). Like other sub-sectors, the fishery industry has also suffered the effects of sanctions and full exploitation of the available potential is constrained by lack of resources. Under the Oil-for-Food Programme intervention attempts to revive the fish industry through importation of needed inputs for fish farming, provision of parent fish stock, spare parts for the rehabilitation of existing equipment and rehabilitation of fish hatcheries took place.
While the discussion to follow on the fisheries sub-sector focuses on the situation in the three northern Governorates, the lessons of experience from the north could be useful and applicable for the rest of the country.
The northern region of Iraq is endowed with many forms of water resources. The surface water resources in the form of rivers, reservoirs and hundreds of ponds provide excellent habitat for at least 32 indigenous and 3 exotic fish species of high economic and academic value. These fresh water systems along with ground water resources offer a considerable scope for fisheries and aquaculture development in the region. Being a non-traditional profession, aquaculture contributes very little to the regional economy at present whereas open water capture fishery already occupies a significant role in the diet and financial security of rural fishers' population living along the rivers and reservoirs in the three northern Governorates. Three large reservoirs Dokan, Darbandikhan and Mosul produce about 2000 metric ton of fish annually.
Unfortunately the ever-increasing human population has become the main cause of high and irrational fishing pressure on aquatic ecosystems. Fishing efforts have been intensified without considering the size and varieties of fish. Such activities not only degrade the target fish population by changing the population size and structure, but also affect other species linked to it in the food chain.
While there was concern about the ongoing degradation, a pervasive attitude of helplessness in reversing this trend also existed. Meanwhile, as rehabilitation of degraded fish diversity and population has been achieved, if there is a need to change the underlying circumstances and attitudes that caused the degradation in the first place. There is, therefore, a need for policy vacuum with regard to resource fisheries use and management. Consequently there is also a need for clear objectives for use and management of the open water fishery. Furthermore, there is a need to reform the existing legal framework for restricting irrational fishing and protecting them during spawning season to meet all requirements.
The limited capacity of Local Authorities to influence fishing practice is the basic reason for most of the above problems. Equally important, is their inability to offer alternate means of livelihood to the fishers. The lack of knowledge on the fisheries (and people involved) has hindered the formulation of appropriate policies. Inadequate consideration of fisheries and aquaculture in rural development strategies and lack of representation from poor people in policy formulation process have negatively affected the development of the sector.
There is little information on reservoir fishery and aquaculture management in northern Iraq. The Oil-for-Food Programme for northern Iraq seeks, among other components, to provide assistance to the agricultural sector including fisheries with the objective of improving its long-term sustainability. This improvement requires knowledge and understanding of integrated and participative approaches to the management of natural resources. Such knowledge is urgently needed, and training in this field should assume high priority.
Given this environment, a programme strategy to guide activities within the fisheries and aquaculture development was prepared. The project strategy is a coordinated approach to natural resource management that integrates reservoir fishery and promotion of small-scale aquaculture. It also seeks to deliver improved outcomes for rural communities and the whole population.
The key components of the envisaged fisheries' strategy include:
Defining and implementing activities for fisheries and aquaculture management with active participation of the stakeholders from the very beginning that will provide employment for rural people in the short-term while providing long-term benefits to local and wider communities;
Emphasizing integrated approach to aquaculture taking into account the need for responsible and sustainable farming system;
Improving the knowledge base on aquatic resources of the three northern Governorates, their utilization, management and rehabilitation; and
Assisting local authorities in expanding fisheries and aquaculture activities in the region in particular, enforcing the fish protection act and its regulations.
The strategy has been designed for activities over three years (2003-2005). In implementing the strategy, priority has been given to well-designed community-based projects that include utilization of community based water bodies in fish production in order to improve the living conditions of rural communities and vulnerable groups.
The programme will increasingly work through an integrated fishery development framework in partnership with other sub-sectors. Fisheries development in reservoirs can be seen in three ways -cage fish culture, pen culture and open water stocking. Besides fisheries, these reservoirs are the sites for tourist attraction and recreation. Therefore, these water bodies should be used judiciously for fisheries development.
Considerable progress has been made towards improving the knowledge base for natural resource management and small-scale fish farming. Thirteen training courses were conducted to disseminate the technical information 165 persons on fish diversity conservation and different aspects of aquaculture to the Local Authority's staff, fishermen and fish farmers. Basic information was collected on the socio-economic conditions of the fishermen communities through interaction. Similarly availability of on-the-spot technical services and production inputs in subsidized price, encouraged fish farmers. As a result, pond fish culture has shown a sharp increase in the year 2002. There was more than 100% increase in the area under fish culture in the three northern Governorates.
A draft working paper on "Enhancement of fish production in the three northern Governorates" has been prepared in consultation with Local Authorities. In addition, several short-term communities based pond fish culture projects were developed and are being finalized for submission.
In view of the above, the overall recommendation is that the fisheries and aquaculture programme follows the strategy outlined for implementation over 2003-2005. The four components of this strategy are listed below, and these lead to specific recommendations that emphasize key elements of the strategy.
First: Defining and implementing activities for fisheries and aquaculture management with active participation of the stakeholders from the very beginning that will provide employment for rural people in the short-term while providing long-term benefits to local and wider communities.
Work to continue and be expanded, on identifying needs of village/fishers Communities, providing short-term incentives to engage the community in meeting these needs and in achieving sustainable fisheries and aquaculture development objectives.
Greater emphasis to be given to engaging communities in implementation and management of rehabilitation projects.
Local contribution is the most important aspect of people's participation in the developmental process to be continued on a self-sustaining basis. An approach could be developed to organize the fisher's community in a manageable groups providing technical, financial and other supports along with the legislative awareness, allowing them to take the advantage of existing resources in order to increase their income and standard of living.
Second: Emphasis on integrated approach to aquaculture taking into account the need for responsible and sustainable farming system.
FAO to place more emphasis in its programme on a coordinated approach to natural resource management that integrates fishery and aquaculture with fish diversity conservation, animal production, and other agriculture farming systems.
A coordinated and integrated approach should be established between line agencies responsible for utilizing water for irrigation, drinking water, power generation, fish production and recreation.
Priority is given to a strategy that encourages change in the attitudes and circumstances of users' communities that together continue to cause extensive and permanent damage to living aquatic resources through over-exploitation and illegal fishing.
Major emphasis need to be given for the promotion and expansion of poly-culture and integrated pond culture system, which will help to increase the regional fish production, as well as related commodity of livestock and horticulture.
Emphasis needs to be given for the dissemination of breeding and nursing technology to the private sector.
Private nursery men should be supported for nursing fish seed such as fry and fingerlings by providing technological package and essential inputs.
Third: Improving the knowledge base on living aquatic (fish) resources of northern Iraq, their conservation, utilization, management and rehabilitation.
Because improved management requires information on the condition and nature of living aquatic resources and of the existing systems that utilize these resources, priority should be given to establishing this basic information through participatory interactions with stakeholders and lesson learned from the implementation of activities already underway.
It is expected that the limnological study of the reservoirs will provide a useful basis for future planning and implementation of reservoir fishery programme.
Resource inventory information and data from the limnological survey should be used to provide estimates of productivity and safe carrying capacities of the water bodies.
Appoint two international consultants for 12 months, one to carry out the limnological survey of the reservoirs, and recommend appropriate strategy for sustainable fisheries and another for establishing the cage fish culture system in the reservoirs.
Fourth: Assisting regional authorities in expanding fisheries and aquaculture activities in the region in particular, enforcing the fish protection act and its regulations.
Continue to assist local authorities develop a policy framework and implementation strategy to address the on-going illegal and irrational fishing.
Facilitate training on principles of indigenous genetic pool conservation, cultural base fisheries enhancement and general aquaculture management with participation and involvement of local communities.
Work with national consultants to develop training manuals and extension materials in local language for the benefit of rural communities.
