FI:DP/IRA/83/013
November 1987

ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF IRAN
COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS OF FISHERIES DATA

TABLE OF CONTENTS

A report prepared for the
Fisheries Development Project

by

Trevor F. White
Senior Fisheries Biologist


This report was prepared during the course of the project identified on the title page. The conclusions and recommendations given in the report are those considered appropriate at the time of its preparation. They may be modified in the light of further knowledge gained at subsequent stages of the project.

The designations employed and the presentation of the material in this document do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the United Nations or the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations concerning the legal or constitutional status of any country, territory or sea area, or concerning the delimitation of frontiers.

FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ORGANIZATION OF THE UNITED NATIONS
Rome, 1987

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This electronic document has been scanned using optical character recognition (OCR) software. FAO declines all responsibility for any discrepancies that may exist between the present document and its original printed version.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. INTRODUCTION AND TERMS OF REFERENCE

2. ACTIVITIES

2.1 Shrimp Fishery

2.2 Tuna Length-frequency Sampling

2.3 Pearl Oyster Culture

2.4 Freshwater Crayfish Culture

2.5 Catch-effort Data Analysis

2.6 Small Pelagic Species

2.7 National Fisheries Statistics

2.8 Stock Assessment Training

2.9 Resource Survey

3. MAJOR CONSTRAINTS

4. RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE FUTURE

Appendix 1: Other Documents Prepared by Author

1. INTRODUCTION AND TERMS OF REFERENCE

The Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran, assisted by the United Nations Development Programme and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, has been engaged in the Fisheries Development Project (IRA/83/013) whose long-term objectives were to strengthen the national capability for increasing fisheries production in the Persian Gulf and Sea of Oman and, more immediately, to identify the type and scope of fisheries training needed to provide the necessary manpower for the short- and long-term development of the fishing industry.

As part of the project operations, FAO assigned Mr T.F. White as Senior Fisheries Biologist with the following terms of reference:

To collect and analyse data on catch rates, species composition, size, age-length-weight frequency of the catch and other analysis determination of independent stocks within major species, spawnings and migration patterns and determination of maturity of the main components of the landings. Assist in training Shilat (Fisheries Department) experts on the above methods and techniques.

This report covers activities for the period 1 September 1986 to 30 October 1987.

2. ACTIVITIES

After arrival in Teheran in early September 1986 and meeting briefly with UNDP staff and the National Project Director (who was based in Teheran at that time), the author proceeded directly to the duty station, Bandar Abbas.

There he met with the Director of Research, Shilat in Bandar Abbas, Mr M. Hosseini and his staff of 6–8 biologists (the number varied during the period of the project, as staff were transferred, reassigned, etc.). None were specifically assigned to work with the author or the project, and all were engaged on their own investigations. However, any or all of them were available to work with the author if and as required. There was no designated counterpart at that stage, but this was not a handicap as all the biologists were cooperative and keen to become involved.

Following is a resume of activities undertaken and their status at the time of project suspension, in November 1987. These are listed under headings rather than in chronological order, although there was often an overlap between activities.

2.1 SHRIMP FISHERY

The local shrimp trawl fishery was in full operation at the time of assignment and the research director requested the author's advice on the collection and basic analysis of biological data from this fishery although this was not specifically included in his terms of reference. He assisted with the design and implementation of an onboard sampling programme (Progress Report No. 1 listed in Appendix 1 refers).

2.2 TUNA LENGTH-FREQUENCY SAMPLING

Tuna began to arrive at Bandar Abbas in January 1987 and the author immediately organized a group to take regular samples for length-frequency analysis, stomach content analysis and maturity staging. Yesaki (IPTP)1 had earlier introduced a sampling programme for these parameters, but despite the fact that they had sampled a large number of tunas, the samples had consisted of only ten fish, the stomach contents were merely noted (not weighed) and gonad condition only subjectively assessed. In many cases, the geographical origin of the fish in the samples (i.e., from the Gulf, Sea of Oman, etc.) was not noted and in some samples consisted of mixed fish from several widespread localities. These previous samples were consequently of little use.

The author suggested that the sample size be increased to at least 100 fish of each sex, that only fork length and total weight be measured and that the gonads and stomach contents from a randomly selected sub-set of these fish be weighed. The latter request resulted in some problems as the research centre did not have a balance of sufficient sensitivity to be able to weigh the gonads or stomach contents accurately (nor did they have scales capable of weighing fish over 5 kg). The sampling programme encountered minor difficulties such as inconsistent methods of measuring (rounding lengths or measuring to nearest digit), failure to adequately ensure that the fish were from the same location, irregular sampling frequency; but these were eventually solved. One of the main reasons for these problems was the failure to appoint a qualified group of biologists or at least a leader to be responsible for the sampling programme. Despite the fact that a large number of tunas were sampled and measured during the period of the project, this aspect was not given much attention because, after field trips had been made to several of the landing sites, it became apparent that in some places and for the eastern little tunas in particular, there was some pre-selection of fish by size before they were delivered to the Bandar Abbas factory (Travel Report refers, see list at Appendix 1). It was decided that reliable information could only be gathered by sampling at selected landing places. This recommendation was never implemented during the life of the project due to the absence of personnel at the landing places to carry out this work (this is discussed further below).

One of the main problems in using the length-frequency data collected at the Bandar Abbas factory or at the landing places was that the tunas are caught by gillnets. This means that in order to use these data for many of the basic investigations, relating to growth, age-class discrimination, etc., it is necessary to have some knowledge of the selection effect of the nets on the catches. Discussions were held with the fishing gear technologist about the practicality of combining such a study with some of his gillnet fishing activities using the smaller, wooden project vessel. While it was agreed that this might be possible, this vessel never became fully operational up until the time of departure from Iran.

2.3 PEARL OYSTER CULTURE

The Director of Research requested the author's advice and assistance with Shilat's pearl culture operations at Kish Island in the Persian Gulf. His input was restricted to proposals, provision of literature and assistance in identifying expatriate technicians (Travel Report refers, see list at Appendix 1).

1 Indo-Pacific Tuna Programme

2.4 FRESHWATER CRAYFISH CULTURE

Similarly, given the author's previous experience with the culture of freshwater crayfish, he was invited to travel to the Caspian Sea with the Director of Research to advise and assist Shilat (Travel Report refers, see list at Appendix 1). His input was restricted to advice and the provision of literature.

2.5 CATCH-EFFORT DATA ANALYSIS

The only catch effort data available in Iran relating to pelagics were the landing data from the Shilat landing centres. These daily landing records are quite comprehensive and, for the tunas at least, a reliable source of data. Tunas (longtail tuna) and eastern little tunas (kawakawa) were recorded separately, whereas other species of fish were combined into commercial categories. The records were, however, a poor source of information on the smaller pelagic species such as sardines and anchovies for reasons given below.

In view of the large volume of records available, it was decided to process them using a micro-computer. A computer had been purchased for the project and was released by the customs early in January 1987. Although it was not expected that all biologists would become involved in the processing (and later analysis), it was considered that all could benefit from a short introductory training course in the use and capabilities of the computer and some basic computer programming. In view of earlier experience with training courses, it was decided to conduct the course in the Persian language. Shilat arranged for a consultant familiar with micro-computers and programming to work with the author in the design and implementation of this training programme. Fourteen participants attended the classes which were conducted over two weeks and included all biologists from the Bandar Abbas research centre plus others from Teheran and one from Bushehr. Despite this attendance, none of these fourteen participants showed any interest in training or use of the machine after completing the course.

Work commenced on the design and writing of a set of computer programmes to input and store, retrieve and analyse the catch and effort data mentioned above. It was unfortunate that none of the biologists showed any interest in working with the author during the development of these programmes.

Initial emphasis was placed on collecting all available data from the Jask landing centre, as this was the main focal point of the Sea of Oman landings and accounted for some 40 percent of the total tuna landings for the country (or so it was believed). Field trips were made to Jask in order to collect the data and to classify the fishing gears used (Travel Report refers, see list at Appendix 1). It was decided to start with data from January 1986 and work forward to the present. Data for the years prior to this were not readily available and possibly incomplete. Initially one and later two biologists were provided to code and enter data into the computer using the programmes mentioned above. Some programmes were modified and “refined” during the early stages of this data entry work. Data entry proceeded very slowly, due both to the volume of information to be coded and entered, but also the fact that the assigned biologists had other duties and could not give full attention to this activity. Shilat finally recruited a part-time assistant to overcome this problem. Some 15 000 individual (vessel) landing records were entered for Jask covering the period from January 1986 to August 1987 (the latest available).

From Jask, the emphasis moved to Kolahi, and although the data from this landing site were considered less reliable or at least less complete, approximately 5 000 records were coded and entered into the computer. Plans were underway to travel to Bandar Lengeh to collect the records from that site to continue with data entry when the decision was made to relocate the project staff to Teheran.

2.6 SMALL PELAGIC SPECIES

Shilat expressed some concern over the apparent emphasis on tunas and large pelagics. They requested that more attention be given to the collection of data on the landings of sardines and the smaller pelagic species. They requested a sampling/collection scheme to gather this information at the landing places. To a large entent, their concern was warranted; the Shilat landing records were a poor source of data on sardine landings. Basically this was because few of the sardines landed in Iran were ever sold to Shilat; they were usually sun-dried on the beach and used for animal feed or fertilizer, or occasionally sold fresh to private buyers. The problem encountered in establishing a sampling scheme was the erratic, scattered nature of the sardine landings along the Iranian coast and offshore islands. Practically all sardines landed in Iran are caught with beach-seines (the exception is Qeshm Island, where some gillnetting is used). Landings are extremely irregular; in some localities there may be no landings at all in the year, or the landings may all take place in one month only, and not the same month from one year to the next. Landing sites at the same “place” may in fact be tens or hundreds of kilometres apart. It was difficult to design a sampling scheme involving in situ personnel, who might only be active for one or two days in the year. Also, because of the unpredictability of landing seasons or localities, it was not practical to consider mobile samplers. There were no outposted Shilat staff (particularly research staff already appointed in these places) and new, ad hoc samplers would have had to be recruited. It was virtually impossible that vehicles could have been found for these people.

2.7 NATIONAL FISHERIES STATISTICS

For all the above reasons, the author hesitated in designing or implementing a sampling programme for the smaller pelagic species although more information was required on the fish landings in Iran. He suggested that Shilat consider the design and implementation of a national fisheries data collection scheme for all their fisheries, which could include these smaller species. The Shilat had, in fact, already requested that he prepare a plan for the introduction of such a national scheme (see Appendix 1). It was not intended to implement this as part of project IRA/83/013, but rather as a separate activity, with particular FAO expertise inputs as and if required. The Shilat had made some progress towards the introduction of this plan. The author was requested to be present when they hired national consultants to conduct a pilot/frame survey of the marine fisheries, although at the time of the relocation and departure from Iran, there had been no further contact.

2.8 STOCK ASSESSMENT TRAINING

Early after arrival at Bandar Abbas, the author had intended to organize a series of training courses on sampling and principles of stock assessment as an introduction to an analysis of the pelagic fishery data. However, while working with the biologists on the analysis of the shrimp data, it became obvious that this would not succeed due to their limited understanding of English, weakness in statistics and mathematics, and general unfamiliarity with the topics. It seemed preferable to enlarge on these subjects as they arose during the course of work as this would allow for a more immediate, practical explanation of the concepts rather than if they were presented as a series of theoretical lectures.

This method was put into practice when the research department requested that the author provide a training course on the theory and practice of sampling and length-frequency analysis, particularly with respect to shrimp and tunas. He prepared a manual on the subject which could be translated into Persian and used as the basis of such a training course. This would make unfamiliarity with the English language less of a handicap, and the biologists would also have a detailed set of “notes” to follow in the future. The English version of the manual was given to Shilat to translate (see Appendix 1). At the time of departure from Iran, this translation had not been completed.

2.9 RESOURCE SURVEY

The vessel DARGAHAN 18 was available from mid-1987, but initial voyages were aimed at training the crew in the use of the purse-seine net. The refit of the vessel LAVAN II was not completed by the time of departure from Iran. For these reasons, there was no survey work conducted up to the end of October 1987. Further, due to the uncertainty and indecision about the final work programmes or even areas of operation for the vessels, it was not possible to draw up a detailed survey programme for either vessel.

Nevertheless, it was proposed that the DARGAHAN 18 would initially concentrate on trial fishing, including the use of lights. Thus, the vessel would not conduct survey cruises as such; rather it was proposed that the stock assessment activities with this vessel be limited to taking “standardized” recordings of all school sightings by means of the echosounder for subjective assessment of the distribution and relative density of the small pelagic fish. Samples would be retained from all hauls for species identification and length-weight frequency analysis.

Computer programmes were written to allow the standardized plotting of cruise tracks, sampling sites, etc., which would have assisted in the design of the surveys, storage and analysis of results and the preparation of cruise/ survey reports.

The LAVAN II was unavailable for project activities by the time of project suspension. Shilat had expressed a wish that this vessel be equipped with echo-integration equipment and used solely for acoustic survey work. No detailed plans were drawn up for this activity by the time of departure from Iran; however, Shilat were alerted to the following:

At the time of departure from Iran, the scientific equipment required for the future survey programme had been identified and those items available in Iran had been procured. Quotations and specifications had been received for other items not available in Iran, but the placement of orders was disrupted by the discontinuation of project activities.

3. MAJOR CONSTRAINTS

The late delivery and non-availability of the two research vessels was a major constraint to the implementation of the survey work and no further comment is necessary. On the other hand, satisfactory progress was made on the collection and analysis of catch and effort data for at least the larger pelagic species. The major constraints encountered during the execution of this work were as follows:

  1. Unavailability of a dedicated counterpart to work with the expert during the development and refinement of the data analysis computer programmes. It was regrettable that this activity centred solely on the author and that no one in the research centre at Bandar Abbas was trained in the use of the computer, let alone computer programming. Despite the fact that the programmes were deliberately written to be “user-friendly” in terms of the input and output of data, nobody understood the programmes and consequently could not modify/enlarge/amend them should the need arise in the future. This implication became clear when the project staff were relocated to Teheran. In the time remaining prior to departure from Iran, the author arranged for the computer to be brought to Teheran, where he attempted to brief one of the Shilat staff (who had earlier assisted in the computer training course and who was now working with Shilat). While it is hoped that the collection and input of the Shilat catch and effort data into the computer according to the scheme in operation at the time of departure will continue, the lack of familiarity with the system could eventually prove to be a major constraint. The operating manual provided may be of some help.

  2. The Shilat research staff are grouped into three sites, Bandar Abbas, Bushehr and Teheran. Lack of transport and generally poor communications restrict the movements of these staff to the more remote landing centres. This seriously hampered the implementation of systematic sampling scheme involving the present research personnel. As mentioned above, it was difficult to justify placing personnel in many of these remote centres for the very specific, limited tasks required by the project.

  3. Language was not a constraint for everyday activities as nearly all of the research staff understood and spoke sufficient English. On all field travel, the author was accompanied by one of the research officers, which eliminated any problems that might have otherwise arisen when dealing with the fishermen, etc. However, their comprehension of English was generally insufficient to allow them to follow technical subjects or to read technical papers or manuals. This was possibly the reason for the apparent lack of interest by the research staff to master the use of the computer.

4. RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE FUTURE

Activities of the international personnel with project IRA/83/013 have been suspended, although some of them are being continued by the national project staff. The following suggestions/recommendations are made with this in mind, but also in view of the possibility that the international staff may return to the project when conditions change:

Appendix 1

OTHER DOCUMENTS PREPARED BY AUTHOR

The following documents, prepared by Mr Trevor F. White, Senior Fisheries Biologist, during his assignment to project IRA/83/013 have been deposited with Fisheries Branch Library, FAO, Rome:

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