Cold water aquaculture in Iran (by Yadollah Mehrabi)

Motahary Hatchery, Iran Shahid Motahari Yasuj, Iran

ABSTRACT

Iran has been making a rapid progress in cold water aquaculture, which is concentrating mainly on the production of rainbow trout. The past limited supply of fry has been overcome by the private sector taking over this important step in aquaculture production. With the production of 9 000 t of market size trout achieved in year 2000, as compared to 7 000 t in 1999, and 1 500 t in 1995, further expansion is envisaged in the current Third Development Plan (2000-2004).

1. INTRODUCTION

The first documented report on inland fish farming in Iran dates back to 1922. The farming was carried out in a small ichthyology center near the Bandar Anzali fisheries office in the north of Iran, on the coast of the Caspian Sea. The objective was to breed sturgeon artificially for stocking the Caspian Sea. Following the establishment of a research ichthyological station affiliated with the North Fisheries Company and the nationalization of the fisheries industry and also the termination of Irano-Russia cooperative activities, production of kutum (Rutilus frisii) fingerlings in hatcheries for their release into northern rivers started. Millions of kutum fingerlings were produced and released over a number of years. These activities were the beginning of fish farming in Iran. As before, hatcheries produce fish fry and fingerlings for release to rehabilitate fish stocks and to give support to fisheries.

2. COLD WATER FISH FARMING

Until 1961 there was no cold water fish farming of the native red spot trout, rainbow trout and the Caspian salmon (Salmo trutta caspius). The Karaj Mahisara Company was the first which engaged in salmon culture in Iranian inland waters. It was established in 1962 and following the approval of stocking plans for the inland rivers the company purchased 15 million rainbow trout eyed eggs from Denmark during 1965-1967. Consequently, 3 million fingerlings were released into the rivers and reservoirs. During the same period, female breeders of red spot trout (native of Karaj jajrood and especially in the Karaj River) were captured and following the application of the artificial breeding method fish fry were released into the rivers.

Subject to the decision made by the Ichthyological Centre a small centre was set up in 1965 on the coasts of Ghazian district for artificial breeding of several species. The centre was mainly concerned with aquaculture, nutrition and fish diseases including native warm water species and aquarium species, and salmon and trout.

Jajrood Trout Company (a private entity) was set up in 1966 to produce rainbow trout for markets. Like the former company the latter one also imported eyed eggs from Denmark and supplied the market with the product following the completion of the hatching process. Gradually, these companies produced enough broodstock to achieve self sufficiency in eyed eggs and to sell the surplus fish fry to both private and public firms and organisations, such as the Environment Protection Organization, which were involved in releasing them in a variety of inland water bodies.

In autumn 1967, 300 Caspian salmon were captured from the rivers flowing into the Caspian Sea (i.e. from the Killeh Tonokabon spring) by a gamekeeper organization and were transferred to the Karaj Mahisara Company. In December of the same year hatching operations started and using artificial fertilisation resulted in production of about 400 000 eyed eggs. This was the first step in the breeding of the Caspian Sea salmon.

During 1968-1969 the Caspian Sea Salmon Breeding Center was established by the Iranian Fisheries (Shilat) for rehabilitation of salmon stocks. It started operating in Age Oskaled village on the Killeh River. The Yeghandasht trout farm in Fars Province was set up in 1977 and started operating two years later.

The Karaj Mahisara Company has been the turning and starting point in the cold water fish farming industry in Iran. This was later on supplemented by the establishment of the Gazian Breeding Station of the Jajrood Trout Company and the Yeghandasht trout farm.

The first eyed eggs of rainbow trout were imported during 1965-67 and naturalized in the Iranian farming system. They were grown to a mature stock and started reproducing.

2.1 History of cold water fishery in inland waters of Iran

Catch and exploitation of cold water species from Iranian inland waters, mostly from rivers, has been very common for many years. Cold water fish is considered to be of high quality and it has been targeted by recreational fishermen, and sometimes also by commercial fishermen. More recently the capture became regulated by the same regulations and licencing as warm water fisheries.

The studies conducted by an Iranian fisheries expert and an English ichthyologist on the trout in the Karaj River have indicated that overfishing using hook and line and explosives during the years preceding the ban on capture reached such an extent that it will take many years before the fish stocks recover.

2.2 History of cold water fish fry releases in inland waters

Following the import of a sample of rainbow trout and its breeding, the stocking started in 1964. By 1966 eighteen rivers and four reservoirs were stocked. The major objective was to develop sport fishery through enhancing the stocks of these species, with some side benefits for the locals.

Referring to the high mortality rate of fish fry during the transportation the Gatekeeper and Catch- monitoring Organization provided a tank with the capacity of one and half ton, which was equipped with the latest technology, in particular with an aeration system. The first fish used the tank in 1965 under the supervision of the same organization. In this way a large number of fish fry were introduced to the Jajrood River. This initiative was the first step in releasing trout fry and in transporting live fish within Iran. The continuous production of seed material made it possible to stock a large number of inland waters. This was executed by the Karaj Mahisara Company and the Jajrood trout farm. The rivers stocked were: Jajrood, Lar, Haras chaloos, Karaj, Zayndeh rood, Sardab rood, Lighvan chai, Nomrood, Sefeed rood, Shafa rood, Shahsavar, Taleghan Shahrood, Lamber, Khotbeh sara, Pood rood and Karoon, and reservoirs Sefeed rood, Amikabeer ckarga and Layan. In 1970 and the following years rainbow trout were released by an Israeli company in Doroodzan reservoir, in 1972 to 1974 in Arablis meor lake by an agriculture shareholding company, and in 1973 in Gohar and Valesht lakes.

2.3 Developmental trend of cold water fish farming until 1978

Untill 1978 only two aquaculture centers, the Karaj Mahisara Company and Jajrood trout farm, were active in this field. Only informal information is available on fish fry production and on marketed fish (Table 1).

Table 1

Production of fish fry and market size trout (1965-1978)

2.4 Development of cold water (trout) aquaculture centres - 1979-1988

2.4.1 Development of cold water fish stocks

Provision of fry of cold water fish and their stocking in inland water bodies have been the major objectives of the development of cold water fisheries. A number of aquaculture centres were set up, with some never reaching the operational stage due to a number of constraints.

2.4.2 Aquaculture centres affiliated with Shilat

From the beginning of this period the establishment of cold water fish breeding centres for rainbow trout was included in the agenda of the inland water planners of the Iranian Fisheries (Shilat). The following centres were established and active.

Kelardasht salmon culture centre (Shaheed Bahonar)

This centre was designed in collaboration with experts from the former USSR. Following the site selection in Radbarsk village in the Kelardasht zone the construction started in 1979 and the centre started operating in 1983. During the first year the 800 imported eyed eggs from Denmark failed. However, in the following years not only salmon fry was produced, but also grown to broodstock size and seed was produced for stocking purposes.

Yasooj trout culture center (Shaheed Motahari)

The center was set up by Shilat in Yasooj dasht region of Khohkiloeh and Bayer Ahmad provinces. The objective was to produce 2 million rainbow fry annually to meet the needs of cold water fish farms and for stocking inland water bodies. Construction started in 1984 and production started in 1989.

Dimeh trout culture centre

This was supposed to become one of the largest trout breeding centres in Iran. The centre was to take advantage of spring water supply in Dimeh and to produce up to 7 million fry. Due to the opposition of the local authorities, even though considerable construction work had been accomplished, the centre was never finished.

2.4.3 Private sector aquaculture centres

Karaj Mahisara Company

The company was one of the centres involved in importing eyed eggs for the purpose of fish fry production during 1979-1988 and it was very active in producing fish for consumption.

Jajrood trout culture company

It was involved in fish fry production during 1979-1988 mainly using its own broodstock and occasionally also importing eyed eggs. It was also producing a quantity of fish for market.

Yeghandasht trout farming company

The construction of the necessary facilities started in 1977 and by 1979 the fish farm was fully functioning. It is the largest trout farm operating in Iran, with a capacity of 240 tons in two different phases. The incubation facilities were completed in 1981 with the objective of fish fry production, and in 1982 about one million eyed eggs were imported. Consultant experts managed to produce fish fry for the first time in Iran.

2.5 Development of cold water fish farms (1979-1988) (Table 2)

During this period a number of cold water fish farms were constructed and started functioning in the following provinces: Tehran, West Azerbaijan, Chahar Mahal and Bakhtiari, Khorasan, Farse, Kohkiloyeh and Bayer Ahmad, Lorestan and Mazandaran. The number of trout farms reached 26 of which the largest number were constructed in 1985, most of them in Chahar Mahal and Bakhtiari, Khorasan and Mazandaran. Eight cold water fish farms were active in 1985 and the fish production, according to one report, was 227 tons. Another report reported 400 tons, which could be realistic given the capacity of the farms in 1988. But the rate of development of cold water fish farming in that period was still slow. The major reasons for this could be summarized as follows:

• Lack of government policy and support concerning trout culture development (it was considered a luxury commodity);

• Shortage of experts both in the public and private fisheries sectors;

• Dependence on foreign countries for eyed eggs as well as fish meal;

• High finished product price and lack of comprehensive and general consumption market;

• Heavy investment costs.

In short, trout farms were not fully developed until 1988 when the first training course in inland water fisheries was held. The year 1989 was a turning point.

During the period 1979-1988 the annual rainbow trout fry production increased by 33%, from 3 million to 4 million, while in the government sector during the period 1984-1988 the initially steep rise in fry production was followed by an equally steep decline as a result of the private sector taking over.

Table 2

Cold water fish farms development (1979 - 1988)

Information provided by the Aquaculture Department (1973-1991). Estimates only for the private sector for the period 1979-1988.

2.6 Trout production during 1988-1997

In 1978 the total annual cold water farm production was 140 t. By 1998 farm trout production reached 500 t.

During 1989-1999 the first and second five year development plan for inland waters were implemented. Fish culture entered a new policy period of comprehensive national planning and due attention was paid to the economic, social, environment and land rehabilitation aspects. Parallel to this there was a great structural change in management and due attention was paid to aquaculture research in inland waters and to promotional and training services required for the new initiatives. While the growth of fish production was not fast during this period the fundamental changed which were implemented prepared the ground for future improvements.

Average annual growth rate in inland, warm and cold water fish farms was 18.2%, 6.6%, and 58.7%, respectively. Trout culture had the highest annual growth rate, and in the future it can play a major role in inland fish farming business if the trend continues.

A study of fish fry farming in the period before 1987 showed fish fry production in 1978 of 8.7 million, out of which trout production was 4.5 million. This was followed by a rapid growth which was mainly the result of the public (except Shilat) and private sectors, while the Iranian Fisheries (Shilat) had the least important role in this respect.

During 1979-1988 fish fry production was 65.5 million, of which 61 million were warm water species fish fry (93.1 percent) and 4.5 million trout fry (6.9 percent). Most of the trout farming was carried out by the private sector as public sector involvement was negligible. The reduction in trout fry numbers compared to those before 1979 indicates that the impact of the Iranian Fisheries policies with respect to trout culture was not effective. During this period cold water fish farming including fish fry and market size fish was growing slowly.

During 1989-1997 trout fry production grew faster, from 4.5 million in 1988 to 38 million in 1997, this corresponding to an annual growth rate of 83%. This was due to a number of factors. Unlike in other years, Iranian Fisheries policies focuses on the development of trout culture, with big steps taken especially in the Second five year development plan. Fish fry shortage due to the limited number of government owned hatcheries led to many private farms setting up breeding and fish fry production facilities. This resulted in a significant increase in trout farming. Proper environmental conditions in many farms for breeding and fry production, as well as technology transfer to the private sector, improved the production conditions and raised the output in a number of farming centres throughout the country.

Abundance of water bodies for trout rearing and economical feasibility, together with the demand for fresh fish of good quality and taste, assisted with the development of fish culture, and this went in parallel with fish fry production which was developed by the private sector supported by the Iranian Fisheries (Shilat).

Although 80% has been considered as a good survival rate from 1 g to market size stage (250-300 g), the actual rate is less, in some farms only 50 percent. It may be even less than 50% due to poor quality fish meal, and low technical level of the personnel. In other words, the production requires a large number of fish fry. The Iranian Fisheries should pay due attention to these issues.

Reorganization of trout production policy, professionalism in the aquaculture industry, building of hatcheries with sufficient capacities are among the tasks which should receive due attention in the current supervisory policy of the Iranian Fisheries. One should avoid leading the affiliated aquaculture centres towards further production or following product-oriented approach only. Converting some cold water hatcheries to applied research on cold water fish should be among the considerations for upgrading aquaculture research. Cold water trout production in 1998 was about 500 t from 5 ha, which is 10 kg/m².

The annual total trout production during 1989-1993 was 440, 577, 478, 775 and 840 t, respectively which indicates 410, 523 889 and 1 160 tons less than planned. The plan did not have much impact on trout culture development. One can conclude that even without a plan the same production would be achieved.

The major drawbacks of fish farming during the implementation of the First plan were:

• Lack of a comprehensive fish fry production plan to secure adequate numbers required by the present and future capacities especially in terms of appropriate and adequate site selection.

• Lack of continuation of the plan and lack of coordination of the new ones with the old ones.

• Lack of coordination and planning for long and short term training in order to provide required technical personnel.

• Intervention with fisheries (Shilat) of institutions such as the environment protection organization and veterinarian organization.

• Lack of adequate follow-up activities concerning suitable land and adequate water provision for the fish farming plans, and lack of discussions with other organizations with demand on the resource use.

• One of the principle causes of failure to achieve the objectives of the First plan was the difficulty of obtaining licenses for water and land.

In the Second five year development period three areas of fisheries development have been identified: inland fish farming development; fish and shrimp farming infrastructure; and fish fry capacity building to produce 300 million fry each year for stock rehabilitation purposes.

There exist a number of mechanisms for trout farming, such as fish farming in closed areas and irrigation canals; close-circuit systems; trout farming in multipurpose and agriculture ponds; trout farming in rice fields following the harvest period. The policies for their development have been elaborated in the Second plan by the Iranian Fisheries..

The notion of "promotion" received due attention mainly because of upgrading of the general information level concerning aquaculture technology transfer and as a result of farmers being introduced to new aquaculture methods such as fish farming in closed areas and integration of fish farming with agriculture. A sound foundation was set up for future plans.

The Iranian Fisheries (Shilat) concluded that the people during the First plan were not familiar with aquaculture. Therefore introduction of new methods, technology transfer and upgrading the public knowledge became of prime importance. This gave parity to promotion, and many projects would become promotion oriented.

As none of these promotional projects set for the Second plan were backed by required research findings the Second plan referred to the deficiencies in inland aquaculture research including lack of specialized research.

Upgrading quality and increasing yields was another aspect of the Second plan, which was included in the agenda. Projects were quantity oriented and were to pay full attention to the utilization of aeration systems and standard formulated feed, take advantage of well trained experts, and apply best water quality and quantity control.

Research on water resources and their production capacity, and applying methods supporting the principle of sustainable development taking account of environmental considerations, were focal points of the Second plan in the area of inland fishery development.

As the research was mainly short-term and not well focussed, the Second plan called for development of proper methodologies and for studies of those water bodies suitable for fisheries development. Furthermore, as a result of an agreement between the Iranian Fisheries (Shilat) and the environment protection organization, the former became responsible for conducting studies on inland water resources before carrying out any fishery management measures such as stocking, and any further action would be subject to the approval of a joint committee. The following priorities of the Second plan are highlighted.

a. Repair and improvement of small earthen ponds so as to economise water use.

b. Fish health of farmed fish. While the veterinary organization deals with diseases, health and hygienic issues are the responsibility of the Iranian Fisheries. Monitoring of fish health and hygienic conditions on fish farms and in hatcheries was to be given proper attention.

c. Increasing production on fish farms of market size fish and improvements in their processing were considered as crucial, as shortage of supply limited fish consumption in the country.

d. Improvement of aquaculture infrastructure. Good infrastructure would speed up the development of both warm and cold water fish farming.

e. Fisheries insurance. Subject to the sub-paragraph 3 of the article 77 of the Second plan at least 50% of agriculture livestock and fisheries products were to go under the insurance by the end of the Second plan. Creation and development of insurance culture and appropriate legislation for inland water fish farming business were among the most important issues in the Second plan.

f. Construction of fishmeal plants as being essential for rapid aquaculture development.

g. Increase in production of carp and trout fry in breeding centres affiliated with Shilat, i.e. the Kalerdasht hatchery and the Yasooj hatchery (Shaheed Motahari).

h. Inland fish fry production was to be increased through developing private sector hatcheries.

Table 3 gives an overview of planning for fisheries development and of the results achieved during the first three five year development plans, with the third plan being the current plan.

Table 3

Plan and performance of cold water fisheries

First 5-year plan (1989-1993)

Second 5-year plan (1995-1999)

Third 5-year plan (2000-2004)

By the end of the Second plan (1995-1999) trout production was fulfilled by 87.26 percent. In the first year of the Third plan 84.5 percent of the planned production was achieved.