2. STATUS OF FISHERIES AND SCOPE FOR AQUACULTURE DEVELOPMENT

2.1 TOTAL FISH SUPPLY IN THE COUNTRY

The per caput consumption of fish in the country was 0.339, 0.935 and 0.900 kg in 1953, 1961 and 1964 respectively. Since then there does not appear to have been any increase in the total quantity of fish consumed, as will be evident from the market demand figures indicated below in Table I.

Table 1

TOTAL QUANTITY OP FISH SUPPLY IN JORDAN

However, the current annual market arrivals of about 1 700 kg may not be taken as the potential demand in the country, as there is a greater consumer preference for fresh and small fish. Traditionally the Jordanians prefer to purchase the whole fish so that its freshness and type is guaranteed. This fact coupled with the desirability of decreasing the imports substantially indicates appreciable scope for aquaculture development in the country.

2.2 FISHERIES OF THE GULF OF AQABA

Earlier reports on the fisheries of the Gulf of Aqaba show that the average catch per fisherman is about 1,5 tons per year worth about Jordanian Dinars (J.D.) 180, and that only about 25 percent of the catches are taken by gear, the rest being by us« of explosives. Statistics of the fish catches landed at Aqaba by local fishermen during the last three years, as obtained from departmental records, are given in Table 2.

In 1950 the fish catches from the Gulf of Aqaba formed only 1 percent of the total fish supply in the country, but in 1961 the percentage increased to 9. In 1965 the landings at Aqaba were about 180 tons but in recent years the catches brought in by the local fishermen appear to have gone down considerably (Table 2), even though the area of operation extends throughout the Gulf and the Red Sea. Since precise data on the location of the fishing and catch per unit effort are not available, it would be difficult to determine the reasons for the decline in the landings. One of the causative factors might be the use of explosives, which practice is reported to have been common until a few years ago.

Table 2

FISH LANDINGS AT AQABA¹

¹The figures relate to fish brought by local fishermen from the entire Gulf of Aqaba and the Red Sea.

2.3 FISHES OP THE GULF OF AQABA

General reports on the fishes of the Gulf of Aqaba indicate that more than 650 species of fishes are present in the Gulf and Red Sea, out of which 20 species appear in the commercial catches. The catches made by local fishermen are known to consist of perches, parrot fishes, rock cods, sea bass, vengers, mullets, king fishes and coral fishes. Due to non-availability of literature and the short nature of the assignment, the consultant could not attempt detailed specific determinations. However, the undermentioned identifications could be made, with the help of notes readily available, in the catches brought to Aqaba by fishermen, stocks in cold storages and collections made in wire mesh traps.