In accordance with a request from the Government of Iran for assistance in the development of inland fisheries, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, under the United Nations Development Programme (Technical Assistance sector) appointed Mr. Anatoli P. Ivanov as Inland Fishery Biologist. Mr. Ivanov carried out his assignment in Iran from February 1970 to August 1971. His terms of reference were a. To advise and assist the Government of Iran in carrying out experimental and pilot-scale studies on the technical and economic feasibility of fish culture. b. If found feasible, to formulate plans for fish culture development in the country including research, extension and training. c. To provide advice and assistance in the implementation of fish culture development programmes and to train local personnel in this field. d. To work in close collaboration with FAO/TA Senior Fisheries Adviser in Iran (whose responsibility is to advise the Government of Iran in the organization of fisheries research institutes and training establishments, as well as overall fisheries development and to recommend future technical assistance programmes in the field of fisheries) and to assist him as needed so as to achieve a common approach to the problems relating to inland fisheries development in Iran.
In addition to these terms of reference it was agreed that the expert prepare an additional report on the Lar and Neka rivers for the Government of Iran. The expert therefore completed this report and submitted it directly to the Government. A copy is attached as Appendix 2.
Mr. A. Ivanov started his work as FAO/UNDP(TA) expert on 12 February 1970, and after briefing at FAO Headquarters in Rome, he arrived at Teheran on 25 February 1970.
During the period from 26 February to 14 March the expert paid formal visits to United Nations offices in Iran (FAO and UNDP) and the Ministry of Natural Resources where he met Dr. F. Adali, Senior Agricultural Adviser/FAO Country Representative in Iran; Mr. N. Shallon, Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Programme in Iran; Mr. B. Bernander, former Assistant Resident Representative of the UNDP in Iran and Mr. B. Andersskog, former FAO General Fisheries Adviser in Iran, as well as other officials. Dr. F. Adali organized a meeting of the expert with H. E. Dr. A. Ahmadi, Under Secretary for Parliamentary Affairs, Ministry of Natural Resources of Iran.
The expert was provided with working space in the building of the Ministry of Natural Resources.
In the first month of his stay in Teheran, the expert studied the report to the Government of Iran prepared by Mr. E. Surber who worked in Iran in the capacity of FAO/UNDP(TA) Inland Fishery Biologist from 1 August 1968 till 24 January 1969. In the Ministry of Natural Resources the expert also became acquainted with their work on pond fish culture and concluded that there are only two small-scale commercial fish culture stations in Iran. One of these establishments is privately owned and the second is jointly possessed by Dr. M. Motamed and the Plan Organization of Iran. There are no other pond fish culture stations raising market-size fish (i.e. large enough to be served as a dish).
On 4 April the expert, accompanied by H.E. Dr. A. Ahmadi, Dr. F. Adali and Dr. J.L. Kask, former FAO/UNDP(TA) Senior Fisheries Adviser in Iran, paid a visit to H.E. Eng. E. Firous, Under Secretary for Technical Affairs, Ministry of Natural Resources and Director of the Game and Fish Department. At this meeting, it was agreed that the expert would continue work started by Mr. E. Surber, former FAO/UNDP(TA) expert on a programme for the development of inland fisheries of Iran. The expert therefore prepared a work plan for the whole period of his stay in Iran. The plan was considered and approved by FAO Headquarters and the Government. Further activities of the expert were carried on in accordance with the approved work plan and additional assignments given to him by the Ministry of Natural Resources.
The expert fulfilled the following duties:
A report on biological grounds for designing of a fish culture station combining both experimental and commercial aspects in the Isfahan area was prepared.
Biological investigations on the Lar river in view of a planned dam construction project providing for creation of a reservoir were made and a report on this river was prepared.
A tentative survey of mountain lake of Tar (Roude-Hen area) was made and on the basis of the survey the expert recommended to the Ministry of Natural Resources of Iran a research expedition for studying the lake ichthyofauna and ecological conditions prevailing there in spring of 1971.
Specialists of the Ministry of Water and Power of Iran were advised on practicable methods of fish preservation in Shah Esmaeel Reservoir in view of dam repair works and draining of the reservoir, as well as on methods of catching and selling of the fish from the reservoir.
The expert visited rice fields in the north of Iran and prepared a report on utilization of the fields for marketable fish rearing.
A tentative survey of village reservoirs in the Caspian plains area was conducted and a report on their utilization for rearing of market-size fish prepared.
A report on the Neka river in view of planned construction of a dam with a reservoir on this river was submitted.
The expert trained Mr. Zia Ziai, Fisheries Specialist, Ministry of Natural Resources, who served as the expert's counterpart, in methods of planning and management of fish culture stations.
In order to carry out the above-mentioned work, the expert left Teheran and visited the following areas where he conducted field studies with the aim of obtaining necessary biological information:
Isfahan area: 17–21 April and 6–12 November 1970.
Pulur area (the Lar river and lake of Tar): 25–30 August and 15–17 September 1970.
Golpayegan area (Shah Esmaeel Reservoir): 8–9 October 1970.
Caspian plains area (towns of Sari, Behshahr, Rasht and Bandar Pahlavi): 22 November–1 December 1970.
Provinces of East and West Azarbaijan: 7–18 July 1971.
FAO is greatly indebted to the many people who collaborated with the expert during his assignment and who offered helpful advice and assistance, and especially to H.E. Eng. Eskandar Firous, Under Secretary for Technical Affairs, Ministry of Natural Resources, for his cooperation and guidance.
FAO also expresses its gratitude to the following specialists: Mr. Zia Ziai, Fisheries Specialist, Ministry of natural Resources, who served as the expert's counterpart; Dr. E. Naibi, Coordinator, Survey and Development Division, Game and Fish Department; and Eng. F. Farid-Pak, Fisheries Specialist, Northern Fisheries Company and Ministry of Natural Resources, who collaborated with the expert in carrying out work on Shah Esmaeel Reservoir and the Neka river.
FAO is also indebted to the following government officials: Eng. E. Bahramand, Chief, Ministry of Natural Resources, Isfahan; Mr. H. Farsandadj, Director, Pastures Division, Ministry of Natural Resources, Isfahan; Mr. Arghavani, Chief, Forest Planting Project, Yazd-abad, Isfahan area; Mr. P. Haydary, Guard Officer, Game and Fish Department, Pulur and Lar area; Eng. Arfa, Chief, Lar Dam Construction Project, Teheran Water Board; Eng. H. Nueen, Specialist, Neka and Atrak Project, Behshahr; Mr. B. Bassary, Chief, Game and Fish Department, Mazandaran Province; Col. Sh. Ghavami, Chief, Game and Fish Department, Guilan Province; Specialists of Varamin and Garmsar Irrigation Project, and Mr. E. Shamshin who served as the expert's interpreter.
