The Fish Industry in Iraq

The fish industry in Iraq has a rich history, dating back to ancient times. Iraq's strategic location on the Tigris and Euphrates rivers made it an ideal place for fishing and fish trade.

Iraq's fish production mainly comes from freshwater sources, with the Tigris and Euphrates rivers being the primary sources. The country's fish production is mainly focused on catfish, tilapia, and carp.

Fishing is a significant source of income for many Iraqis, particularly in rural areas. The industry also employs a large number of people, both directly and indirectly.

Iraq's fish industry has been affected by pollution and overfishing, which have led to a decline in fish stocks and the closure of some fisheries.

Iraq's inland waters cover an area of over 20,000 square kilometers of rivers and streams.

The country's inland waters are home to various species of fish, some of which are commercially valuable. The most common species caught in inland waters include the Shabout, Binni, Gattan, Bizz, and Himri, all belonging to the Barbus genus.

The Najaf marshes, a once-thriving aquatic ecosystem, have recently experienced a massive die-off of fish, with thousands of dead fish surfacing in local waters.

Here are some of the commercial fish species found in Iraq's inland waters:

In September 2021, 13 endemic cyprinoid species were surveyed in Iraq for the presence of ectoparasitic monogeneans.

A total of 149 fish specimens were collected at 6 localities in northern and north-western Iraq.

The number of collected and examined species represented 41% of indigenous cyprinoid taxa according to the recent checklist compiled by Al-Faisal (2020).

Identification of fish was performed by experienced ichthyologists, who confirmed species assignment through genetic analysis.

The complete cytochrome b (cyt-b) was genotyped using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) protocols published by Viñuela-Rodríguez et al. (2021).

GenBank accession numbers for the genotyped cyt-b sequences can be found in supplementary Table 1.

Iraq is home to a diverse range of fish species, both in its inland waters and the Gulf off Fao.

The inland waters of Iraq cover an area of more than 20,000 square kilometers of rivers and streams, where various species are caught.

Some of the most valuable fish species found in inland waters include the Shabout, which is scientifically known as Barbus grybus.

The Binni, or Barbus sharpeyi, is another species of economic and commercial value, often brought to markets.

Gattan, or Barbus xanthapterus, is also caught in inland waters, alongside the Bizz, or Barbus esocinus.

The Himri, or Barbus luteus, is a valuable species found in Iraqi inland waters.

In the Gulf off Fao, marine fisheries are carried out, resulting in catches of various species of commercial value.

The main catches from the Gulf off Fao include the Zubeidi, scientifically known as Stromateus cinereus.

The Z'bur, or Hilsa ilishia, is another species caught in the Gulf off Fao.

The Shannegh, or Sparus datnia, is also found in the Gulf off Fao, alongside the Hoeff, or Decapterus russeli.

The M'zlak el tin, or Synaptura orientalis, is a species caught in the Gulf off Fao.

Here is a list of some of the most valuable fish species found in Iraq:

A massive die-off of fish in the southern marshlands near Najaf has prompted an urgent investigation by Iraqi authorities. Thousands of dead fish have surfaced in local waters, alarming residents and prompting complaints.

The Ibn Najm marshes, a once-thriving aquatic ecosystem, are now teeming with dead fish. Buffaloes were seen wading through the water, attempting to cool off in the sweltering temperatures.

Local environmentalists, including Jassim al-Assadi, warn that the fish die-off could be attributed to a combination of factors, including oxygen depletion due to low water flow and extreme heat.

The use of poison in fishing is being investigated as a possible cause, with experts warning that it's not only an ecological crime but also a threat to public health and the food chain.

For over five consecutive years, Iraq has suffered from extreme droughts driven by climate change, compounded by upstream dam constructions in neighboring Iran and Turkey.

Related reading: Water Dogs Fish

Carp cultivation in Iraq has been successfully implemented in lakes and reservoirs. In 1960, two lakes and two reservoirs were stocked with carp fingerlings for the first time.

Two years after the initial stocking, carp were caught for growth study, and the results showed that those released in lakes grew faster than those released in reservoirs.

Carp released in lakes can grow up to 1 to 1.5 kg in just two years. In contrast, those released in reservoirs only grew to 700 to 1,000 g during the same period.

The fish market in Iraq is a complex system with seven main wholesale markets that send reports to the Fishery Department every month. These reports are based on daily records.

The seven main wholesale markets are located in Baghdad, Basrah, Fao, Amarah, Nasariya, Hilla, and Diwaniya.

These markets are the backbone of the fish trade in Iraq, and the Fishery Department relies on their reports to make statistical statements about the fish industry.

Iraq Export Prices are a crucial aspect of the country's market and trade. Prices of fish, in particular, fluctuate greatly due to various factors such as season, quality, and freshness.

The price of fish in Iraq is extremely low for fishermen, averaging around 60 fils per kilogram. This is a stark contrast to the retail prices, which range from 200 to 900 fils per kilogram, depending on the species, season, and quality.

A significant portion of the fish consignments are spoiled, estimated to be around 20% of the total, which further reduces the prices obtained by fishermen. Improving the handling and storage of fish, as well as providing better marketing facilities, could help reduce spoilage and increase prices for fishermen.

Here is a rough estimate of the retail price range for fish in Iraq:

These prices are subject to change and may vary depending on the location, with prices in Baghdad and Mosul being slightly different.

In Iraq, there are seven main wholesale markets that send reports to the Fishery Department every month. These reports are based on daily records.

The seven wholesale markets are located in different cities: Baghdad, Basrah, Fao, Amarah, Nasariya, Hilla, and Diwaniya.

These markets are the backbone of the country's wholesale trade, and their reports are crucial for the Fishery Department's statistical statements.

Iraq Export Values are an interesting topic, and I've got some facts to share with you. In 2019, the export value of fish from Iraq was approximately 40 to 50 tons, with a price per KG of around US$/Kg.

The export of fish from Iraq is a relatively small but growing market. Catfish, in particular, is not commonly used in Iraq and is often thrown away by fishermen.

However, there is a small but significant market for catfish exports to Lebanon. Four to five exporters in Nasariya have started shipping catfish to Lebanon, with each consignment taking around 24 hours to transport by lorry.

The export values for Iraq fish have varied over the years, but unfortunately, the quality of the fish has been a major factor in determining the price obtained.

Iraq's Tigris and Euphrates rivers support a rich variety of fish species, with over 100 identified in the country.

The Tigris River alone is home to 70 different species of fish, including the prized Iraqi carp.

The Euphrates River's water is warmer and more alkaline than the Tigris, making it less suitable for some fish species.

The Iraqi government has established several fish farms in the region to help meet the country's growing demand for fish.

The Tigris River's fish population is affected by the seasonal flooding that occurs in the spring, which brings nutrient-rich sediment that supports aquatic life.

Check this out: Potomac River

The Euphrates River's fish population is also impacted by human activities such as overfishing and pollution.

The fish farms in Iraq are primarily focused on producing species like tilapia and catfish, which are popular among local consumers.

Iraq's fish industry is still developing, with many small-scale fish farms operating in the country.

The Tigris and Euphrates rivers are connected by a network of canals and waterways, allowing fish to migrate between the two rivers.

The Iraqi government is working to improve the management of the country's fish resources, including implementing regulations to prevent overfishing.