1. INTRODUCTION
The following issues and recommendations are based on observations and conversations during a seven day tour of 10 fish farms and research stations in the province of Gilan, 11 fish farms and research stations in the province of Mazandaran, and three trout farms in the interior northern mountain range. In addition, discussions were held with professors at the University of Tehran to assess technical ability of laboratories in Teheran to conduct genetic analyses.
There is tremendous potential and need for a few basic projects in applied fishery/aquaculture genetics to assist production from aquaculture and culture based fisheries. Scientist and farmers are looking at FAO to provide guidance, technical expertise, training and materials in the area of genetic resource utilization and conservation. At present, it appears that the SHILAT is enthusiastic about applying genetic principles to aquaculture. However, some of this enthusiasm appears misdirected toward “high tech” genetic procedures. Therefore, it will be critical to evaluate the feasibility and establish priorities for the practical application of genetic principles to increase fish production within the country.
This annex is divided into three sections: Genetic management of culture based fisheries, Genetic management of farmed fishes, and Institution and extension strengthening which are followed by a brief conclusion. After each section is a list of recommended projects and activities that would be suitable for funding under the Unilateral Trust Fund.
2. GENETIC MANAGEMENT OF CULTURE BASED FISHERIES
Culture-based fisheries are comprised of primarily the sturgeon and mahi sefid fisheries. There is also a restocking programme or the Caspian trout. Within the provinces of Gilan and Mazandaran, there appears to be a need for genetic management in these fisheries.
2.1 Mahi sefid
With regard to the mahi sefid fishery, the Gilan Shilat is considering 3 plan to produce and release triploid mahi sefid to support the Caspian Sea fishery. There are also efforts underway to develop the technical expertise in karyology to identify these triploid fish.
The production and release of triploid mahi sefid should be reconsidered and carefully evaluated. Triploid mahi sefid would most probably be sterile due to failure of chromosome pairing during cell division. In the light of the fact that 90–95% of the Caspian Sea fishery is supported by reproduction of stocked mahi sefid, the fishery would collapse if stocked fish did not reproduce due to their triploid nature. In addition, current research on some species of fish suggests that triploid fish do not grow or survive much better than diploid fish.
The interest in karyology within the Shilat seems to be solely tied to the identification of triploid mahi sefid. Therefore, if the emphasis on production of triploid mahi sefid is removed, the prime justification for developing expertise in karyology is also removed.
Currently, there is a programme to exchange fertilized eggs of mahi sefid between the provinces of Mazandaran and Gilan. Spawning commences earlier in Mazandaran and finishes later in Gilan. Therefore, eggs are moved from Mazandaran to Gilan in the early spring and then from Gilan to Mazandaran in the late spring in the hope of increasing production.
In some species of anadromous or semi-anadromous fishes, the practice of egg transfers among hatcheries has resulted in a loss of valuable genetic resources and has not been an efficient means to augment the fishery. The mahi sefid in Mazandaran spawn early due to a combination of environmental and genetic factors. When these fish are transferred to Gilan, their genetic programming for early spawning may render them maladapted for the environment in Gilan that is advantageous for late spawners. Similarly, the genetic programming of late spawning Gilan fish may be disadvantageous in the environment of Mazandaran that favours early spawning.
The transfer of mahi sefid eggs between geographically separated provinces should be suspended. The restocking programme in Mazandaran is only four years old, barely one generation for the mahi sefid. Therefore, one would not yet expect to observe problems caused by transferring of fish between areas. The maintenance of Gilan fish and Mazandaran fish in their respective areas will assist in the conservation of the natural genetic resources and adaptability of this fish.
2.2 Sturgeon
Perhaps the most valuable culture-based fishery is the sturgeon fishery in the Caspian Sea. There is only limited natural reproduction of sturgeons and the vast majority of the fishery is supported by government-operated breeding centres. Due to time and weather restrictions, the operation and priorities associated with sturgeon production were not completely analyzed. There is apparently an interest in the production of all-female lines of sturgeons. However, specific plans or projects were not discerned.
2.3 Caspian Trout
Another culture-based fishery exists for the Caspian trout, Salmo trutta caspius. This subspecies is unique to the Caspian Sea, and efforts should be made to conserve and utilize this resource. It was unfortunate that time did not permit an examination of these culture practices.
2.4 Proposed Projects and Activities
Lecture series on principles of Population Genetics and Fisheries Management. University of Tehran. FAO staff.
Training classes on the techniques and wise use of mono-sex production and ploidy-manipulation in aquaculture. External, Stirling, Czechoslovakia. Consultant.
Establish priorities for and assist in the development of a fishery genetics laboratory in the new Research and Training Centre Institution adjacent to the Sad-e-Sangar Fish Farm. FAO staff.
Survey of Caspian trout and sturgeon culture practices during the spring spawning season. FAO staff and Consultant.
3. GENETIC MANAGEMENT OF FARMED FISHES
The main species of farmed fish in IRI are the Chinese carps. However, there is interest in rainbow trout and the domestication of Barbus spp. Unlike restocking programmes for culture based fisheries, the farmer or breeder can exert control over the entire life cycle of farmed fishes. Through proper management of the genetic resources of these fish, the farmer should be able to improve the quality and quantity of his product.
Currently, there is no programme for bloodstock evaluation or performance monitoring of specific lines of Chinese carps or trout. Some private farmers and government aquaculturists have perceived a decrease in the growth and survival of lines of Chinese carp. The precise reasons for this decrease are difficult to discern without accurate hatchery records and performance data correlated with environmental data. That is, the problem may be either genetic or environmental.
3.1 Chinese Carps
There are diverse environments within the areas that support aquaculture of Chinese carps. For example, the provinces of Gilan and Mazandaran are temperate and influenced by the Caspian Sea, whereas the southern provinces, such as Khuzestan, are extremely arid. Even within areas such as Mazandaran soil conditions vary as to salinity, and water quality has wide pH ranges. A strain or population that performs well in one of these areas may not perform well in another. Therefore, it will be desirable to evaluate the performance of lines or strains of carp in these different areas and possibly establish regional breeding centres that can incorporate selection programmes suited for a given area.
A specific genetic problem noted by several farmers and the government is the hybridization of silver and bighead carps. Apparently, these fish are misidentified during the manual spawning and the resulting hybrid progeny are distributed to grow out ponds. The hybrids are often malformed and grow slower due to feeding problems. It is suggested to genetically screen existing bloodstock and the additional Chinese carps that are planned for import from China.
3.2 Rainbow Trout
Two different colour types of rainbow trout were observed at the Miar Trout Farm, one had a brilliant crimson band along the lateral line and the other was lacking this band. These two types appear to have real genetic differences due to differences in growth rate and spawning characteristics, as well as in colour. Although the crimson colour type is preferred by consumers, it is not cultivated due to its slower growth rate. Hybridization and selection programmes involving these two types of trout may produce a crimson fish that has an acceptable growth rate.
3.3 Proposed Projects and Activities
Screening of Chinese carps planned for introduction to Iran to determine purity and genetic character. This should be subcontracted to the Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics at the University of Teheran.
Screen the brood fish in farms or areas that have reported silver × bighead carp hybrids. IBB and developing genetics laboratory in Sad-e-Sangar. FAO staff assistance.
Analyze the performance of different colour types of rainbow trout and their hybrids. Genetically characterize each colour type. On-farm research and new genetics laboratory in Sad-e-Sangar. FAO staff assistance with experimental design.
Critically examine the feasibility of establishing regional breeding centres for Chinese carps, as has been done in Norway for Atlantic salmon and in the Philippines for tilapia. Initiate such programmes as appropriate. Consultant.
Conduct lecture series on quantitative genetics. Consultant.
Conduct lecture series and workshop on fish breeding and hatchery management practices to preserve genetic variation. Consultant and FAO staff.
4. INSTITUTION AND EXTENSION STRENGTHENING
In the Islamic Republic of Iran, as elsewhere in the world, the principles of fishery genetics are not included in the training and education of fishery scientists or aquaculturists. This results in a misunderstanding and even a fear of this discipline. If the principles of genetics are to be utilized to increase food production and conserve natural resources, then they must become a part of the curriculum for fishery personnel. The lecture series and training courses proposed above will serve in the short term; sustained education in fishery genetics beginning at the bachelor's level and continuing will be required in the medium and long term.
4.1 Proposed Projects and Activities
Assess the current curricula of higher education institutions, as well as government training and extension facilities, as to their coverage of genetic principles in food production and make recommendations for the incorporation of these principles into the curricula. FAO staff and Consultant.
Compile an annotated list of agricultural geneticists, laboratories and programmes operating within Iran. This should include both academic and government facilities and should describe in detail what technologies and expertise exist at each facility. Author's contract in Persian and English, possibly to Mr Neamatollahi.
5. CONCLUSION
The Islamic Republic of Iran has tremendous opportunity to increase the production of fishery resources through development of aquaculture and management of culture-based fisheries. The incorporation of the principles of genetic resource management will not only help obtain this increase, but will ensure the preservation of the unique and valuable natural genetic resources present within the country.
