Aquaculture projects in Iraq, such as the Al Rafedeen Fish project in Duhok, show potential for improving food security and boosting the region's economy. The project aims to produce 60,000 tonnes of carp per year and help bridge the gap between Iraq’s fish production of 200,000 tonnes per year and national demand, which exceeds 450,000 tonnes.
The Al Rafedeen Fish Project:
- Location: The project is located near the Tigris River, close to the Mosul Dam, in the Duhok Governorate, which has abundant water resources and favorable soil conditions.
- Infrastructure: The project spans 229 dunams, with 72 dunams dedicated to water areas. It includes: 46 aquatic cages for intensive farming. 27 earthen ponds, each covering an area of 2 dunams. A hatchery, equipped with 160 glass egg jars and 20 incubators. A recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) facility with 60 fiberglass tanks (7 m3 capacity each) and 20 tanks (4 m3 capacity each). Feed store and administrative buildings.
- Species: The project primarily focuses on producing common carp, the most popular fish in Iraq, but also plans to produce rainbow trout and caviar in the future.
- Production: The first phase aims to produce 21 million fish fingerlings and 1,200 tonnes of fish meat annually, with a long-term goal of reaching 60,000 tonnes.
- Inputs: The project initially sourced fry and broodstock from hatcheries in Baghdad but now has its hatchery. They currently source feed locally but plan to establish an extruded feed factory.
- Management: The project was initially guided by experts from Hungary, Iraq, Iran, and Turkey, but is now fully managed and staffed by local professionals.
Challenges and Opportunities:
- Water Scarcity: Some regions in Iraq face water scarcity and climate change issues that make fish cage systems unsuitable. However, Recirculating Aquaculture Systems (RAS) could be a solution for these areas.
- Disease: The spread of koi herpesvirus (KHV) is a significant challenge, causing mortality among common carp. Acquiring vaccines is a necessary measure to combat this.
- Production Costs:?High production costs, especially those related to fish feed, are a challenge. Therefore, the availability of raw feed materials and the production of byproducts must be prioritized.
- Government Support: The Iraqi government must provide vaccines to strengthen fish immunity and help them withstand environmental conditions and resulting diseases.
- Market Demand:?The Iraqi people have a strong inclination to consume fish, providing a solid foundation for the success of aquaculture projects.
- Economic Potential: The Duhok project has been visited by experts and investors and may encourage investment in fish farming ventures. It has the potential to make Duhok the aquaculture capital of Iraq. After meeting local demand, there are plans to export surplus to Arab Gulf states.
Other Aquaculture Success Stories in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA):
- Dubai: Fish Farms LLC includes hatchery, cage farms, and RAS facilities, and it offers an example of what can be achieved under testing conditions.
- Tunisia: Although relatively undeveloped, Tunisia’s aquaculture sector has huge potential with 1,350 kilometers of Mediterranean coastline.
- Israel: Dagón is a pioneering hatchery and leading fish farmer showing how aquaculture in the MENA region is evolving.
- Saudi Arabia: Tabuk Fisheries Company recently hatched its first batch of native sobaity bream larvae, a breakthrough for diversifying the Middle East’s aquaculture sector.
The success of aquaculture projects like the one in Duhok, along with other developments in the MENA region, demonstrate that aquaculture can contribute to a more stable future by improving food security and creating economic opportunities. There are still challenges to address, but the potential for growth in the sector is significant.
