During recent years the Fisheries Department (Shilat), the private sector and the Jehad organization have made considerable effort to speed up inland fisheries development in Iran. It is estimated that the present annual total freshwater fish production is 14 500 t, of which 4 500 t comes from capture fisheries (including the Caspian Sea), and about 10 000 t from aquaculture. Although, according to the available estimates for the last six years, the yield for the freshwater capture fisheries has stagnated, during the same period of time much effort has been channelled into the development of aquaculture, especially into fry and fingerling production and expansion of pond areas. With new hatcheries established, more fry have become available for stocking of a variety of water bodies other than ponds. In the Caspian Sea, a small increase in the yield of sturgeon has also been recorded. In 1985, the three inland water fish yield components, i.e., the Caspian Sea, aquaculture, and inland fresh waters contributed about 25% of the total fish yield, with 75% coming from Persian Gulf fisheries.
The present consultancy was too short to allow an in-depth assessment of the situation. This would require considerably more time, most of which would be spent on going through data filed with the government and other bodies, concerned with the fisheries. Visits to areas other than those covered during this consultancy would also assist in broadening the outlook and allow one to be more specific in the individual recommendations. Nevertheless, a number of observations on the present status and on the possibilities for enhancement of inland fisheries could be made for the Caspian Sea coastal provinces and Khuzestan and Fars provinces and these are discussed in detail in the main body of this Report under the individual sections. A number of areas have been identified for future attention and action and are presented in following recommendations.
Caspian Sea. The gradual increase in sturgeon landings over the last few years could be the result of several factors: increased stocking rate of sturgeon fingerlings grown in hatcheries of Iran and the USSR; better enforcement of sturgeon catch regulations; establishment of more favourable living conditions for sturgeon due to the rise in the level of the Caspian Sea. A detailed evaluation of the long series of statistical data stored in the Band Anzali Research Institute files might give a better understanding of the ongoing changes. FAO could assist in such evaluation if requested. The comments made by Vladykov (FAO, 1964) on the need for further improvement in statistical data collection and evaluation should be taken fully into account when such evaluation is being undertaken.
As the largest area of the Caspian Sea, and all the major rivers entering it, are situated in the USSR, the USSR, through its various activities both on land and in the sea influences the Caspian Sea fish stocks considerably more than any activities in Iran. However, there is a need for active collaboration between the two countries on a number of aspects related to fisheries, from which both countries could only benefit. It is therefore recommended to hold meeting on the Caspian basin fishery resources which would initiate dialogue and later lead to technical collaboration in various fields of common interest. For more details see Annex 5 of this Report. The FAO Fisheries Department, as a technical body, could assist with arrangements for the meeting. Questions relating to funding such a meeting were not discussed.
Caspian coastal lagoons, lakes and bays. The increased uptake of water for irrigation and other purposes, and the damming of streams and rivers has had a negative impact on the biological rhythm of a number of important migratory fish, and has led to a dramatic decline in their catch. Reduced inputs of fresh water into some coastal lagoons has also restricted their use by fish and led to their decline, resulting in some cases in their loss to fishery. As it is no longer possible in most cases to re-establish the original discharge pattern of rivers and streams, other measures have to be taken if fish stocks are to be rehabilitated in fishable quantities. A widely applied measure is regular stocking of such water bodies with hatchery produced fry and fingerlings. Anzali lagoon, which in the 1950s yielded up to 5 000 fish per year, today has no commercially exploitable stocks. Rehabilitation of this lagoon is clearly needed if the fishery, especially for the highly appreciated kutum, is to be re-established there. Due to changes during the last 20 years or so in the configuration of the lagoon as a result of man-made impacts on its catchment, as well as on the Caspian Sea water level, which in turn directly affected the water level in this lagoon, much of this lagoon ceased to function as fish breeding and nursery grounds. Aquatic plants have invaded the open water areas and probably interfere with fish breeding and other activities. Any proposal for fishery development in this lagoon will have to be preceded by a thorough investigation of the present situation before practical measures for the lagoon's rehabilitation for fishery purposes is undertaken. Such a study should be initiated as soon as possible, as the lagoon crayfish stocks, which at present represent the only viable fishery industry, are now under intensive fishing pressure. Only a good understanding of crayfish ecology and of the environment, which now favours these organisms, will make it possible to provide the best advice to fisheries managers for maintaining a high sustained yield. A project proposal for a study of Anzali lagoon for fish stock rehabilitation is presented in Annex 4.
The Caspian Gorgan Bay fish stocks also appear to have declined largely due to a combination of the negative impact of river discharge manipulations and overfishing of fish stocks. Irrigation water uptake from the Kara-su, entering the bay, and damming of the Gorgan and Atrak rivers further north, outside the bay, have disrupted the natural flood cycle essential for breeding of the two major economic fish, i.e. Kollme (Turkman vobla) and common carp. With flood water being stored in reservoirs, floodplains of the lower river are now rarely flooded. Unless discharges are regulated to allow flooding to be maintained for the time needed to allow Kollme and carp to spawn and the fry to grow to a viable size, the only other alternative is to initiate regular stocking of hatchery produced fry/ fingerlings. The Gorgan Bay potential for fish species other than those which previously appeared in abundance, should also be investigated, initially under controlled experimental conditions. The importance of mullet in the present fishery, especially of the two species introduced some years ago into the Caspian Sea from the Black Sea, should be assessed, and if required, new suitable fish species, both mullets and others, identified for future introduction. The new Shilat fisheries research laboratory in Turkaman should place among its research priorities an in-depth study of Gorgan Bay and rivers entering it, as well as those entering the Caspian Sea north of the bay. Studies of fish stocks and their environment should lead to formulation of proposals for fish stock enhancement measures in the bay, coastal waters and lower reaches of the inflowing rivers.
Vochmgir reservoir on the Gorgan River. The fishery on this 17 year old reservoir is based largely on the endemic cyprinids, with little impact yet visible from the stocking of Chinese (mostly silver) carps. Recently, the reservoir authority introduced a measure which has greatly enhanced fish survival: it maintains a minimum of 1 m water depth in each of the storage subbasins, which were previously either completely drained or dried out during the summer/ autumn period. The reservoir management is also introducing integrated aquaculture (duck-cum-carp). Their experience should be carefully monitored and if successful applied elsewhere where suitable conditions exist. The reasons for the failure of the stocked Chinese carp should be clarified with the assistance of Shilat experts, and corrective measures put forward.
Atrak River lakes. Water retention in these permanent floodplain lakes has recently been enhanced by engineering measures. Their potential for fisheries has been highlighted and should be investigated by Shilat through its fisheries research laboratory in Turkaman. Judging from the apparent high aquatic productivity of the Vochmgir reservoir, these shallow lakes might achieve a high fish production as well. Due to the Atrak being a border river between Iran and the USSR, contacts should be made with the USSR fisheries authorities and the possibilities of closer collaboration discussed at a joint meeting. Such discussions could be included in the proposed meeting on fishery resources of the Caspian basin (see Annex 5). FAO could consider providing assistance for formulation of a fisheries research programme on the lakes, as well as assisting with the organisation of the meeting, but questions of funding are yet to be discussed.
Reservoir fish stock enhancement through regular stocking. Hatchery produced fish fry and small-sized fingerlings of Chinese carps have been stocked into numerous large, middle-sized and small reservoirs of Iran. The stocking material, dominated by silver carp, originates both from the Shilat and Jehad hatcheries. Stocking of reservoirs is still a rather uncoordinated activity, with no guidelines available on the best mix of fish species or on stocking rates. For some water bodies the results of the stocking are assessed for their rate of success from catch data, but little information if any is available on survival and growth rates of the introduced fish and on their competition with local species. Whatever data are available need to be evaluated and then used for improving stocking strategies. Collection of data for a comprehensive inventory of all reservoirs is also needed to identify those best suitable for fish stock enhancement and fishery development. There is a need for Iranian specialists working in the field of fish culture, inland fishery development and other related fields, to better understand the numerous factors which determine or interfere with aquatic productivity. This should be done in the form of a training course for which a draft project document, including syllabus of lectures, is presented as Annex 3 of this Report. This course is oriented towards increasing the level of knowledge of Iranian inland waters with fisheries development potential, by explaining the physico-chemical and biological background of fish production, and how to use this knowledge for estimating fish stocking rates for various Iranian waters. The course would also review other approaches for increasing inland water fish production, such as extensive aquaculture.
Marshes. Two large marshes situated in the southwest of Iran are important refuges for commercially important fish, such as Barbus sharpeyi and B. grypus. At times, these fish undergo a major migration during which they are usually captured in large numbers. B. orypus is also of considerable significance for reservoir fishery in one of the neighbouring countries. Both species need to be assessed for their fisheries potential and their favourable habitats should be protected. Any plans for encroachment on marshes by expanding swamp rice culture, drainage, or conversion of marshes to agriculture should be approved only subject to full impact study of the possible consequences such changes might exert on the valuable existing fish stocks. A feasibility of the transfer of especially B. orypus into other water bodies also needs to be assessed, and the role of this species in controlling submersed aquatic plants evaluated.
A variety of other water bodies have potential for fish production. These include oxbow lakes, seepage lakes, canals connecting rivers and containing stagnant water most of the year, and irrigation canals. The use of each of these water bodies for fish production requires a specific approach, best achieved by a joint effort of fishery specialists and engineers. This is because they are either used for occasional transfer of water for irrigation demand, or they appear as a result of such water transfers. Some of these water bodies may occasionally transfer large quantities of water, and at other times be completely stagnant. Some of them have water of a permanently low temperature due to deep cold water discharges from large reservoirs feeding such systems. Each water body will require individual assessment of its potential for fish production. The Bandar Anzali Research Institute and its existing research units should identify the priorities for research work and data collection, and initiate the required studies, which eventually will be taken over by the Research Centre for Inland Fisheries when established.
There is an urgent need for assistance in organizing a viable information retrieval system for fisheries and related fields of knowledge. The existing library in the Bandar Anzali Research Institute is inadequately equipped to handle such a task, with books and periodicals largely out of date and no abstracting journals available. Information is required both in English and in Russian, due to the specific character of the Caspian basin fisheries. The FAO Fishery Information, Data and Statistics Service could assist with the rehabilitation of the library and by advising on the best functional information set-up which could be established with modest means. This could be based, for example, on subscription to abstracting journals backed up by a specialized collection of reprints obtained by requests addressed to authors by the library.
