Inland Fisheries

Report to the Government of Jordan on inland fisheries development and fish culture. FAO/UNDP TA 3186.

Overview of inland fisheries
01/01/1973

The major inland fisheries resources of Jordan, capable of immediate development and exploitation, have been identified.

Improved methods of carp spawning, hatching of eggs and rearing spawn have been demonstrated, resulting in a 100 percent increase in seed production as compared to 1971 production.

A suitable site for constructing a large experimental-cum-commercial fish farm at Azraq has been located, pilot experimental ponds constructed in the area and fish cultural operations initiated therein. During an initial observation period of six weeks, growth of fish was found quite satisfactory in these ponds.

Preliminary layout for reclamation of part of the Azraq swamp into a 50-ha fish farm and for constructing a series of cement tanks for intensive cultivation of carp in running water, integrated with the water supply channel to the farm, have been prepared.

Formulation for preparing a cheap artificial fish feed out of locally available raw material has been suggested.

The need for incorporating fishery development requirements in the project costs for construction of irrigation impoundments has been stressed.

Possibilities of harnessing irrigation distributaries for a specialized type of running water fish culture, by constructing a series of small cement tanks in the course of the distributaries, without loss or wastage of water, have been highlighted.

In the absence of trained technical personnel in Jordan to implement inland fisheries development programmes, the need for intensive training of counterpart personnel and enlisting United Nations or other external support for reclaiming swamp into a fish farm at Azraq, has been stressed.