FAO Assists Iran to improve Aquatic Genetic Resources

The FAO Representative to Iran and the Head of Iran Fishery Organization (SHILAT) signed today (Wednesday, 2 November 2016) a project agreement to improve genetic resources of Rainbow Trout fish in the country, AVA Diplomatic reports.

Signing of the project document by Mr. Serge Nakouzi, the Representative to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) to the Islamic Republic of Iran and Dr. Hassan Salehi, the Deputy Minister of Jihad-e Agriculture and the Head of Iran Fisheries Organization (SHILAT) is considered as the formal launch of the FAO project.

The project entitled “Genetic Improvement of Rainbow Trout in the Islamic Republic of Iran” will be implemented over a two-year period (November 2016 – October 2018) in Mazandaran province, the mountain and coastal areas along the Caspian Sea, and has the budget of 330,000 USD funded by FAO in the of framework a Technical Cooperation Programme (TCP). The focus will be on the establishment of a selective breeding programme for Rainbow Trout.

The Kelardasht Cold Water Fish Hatchery will be the primary location for the breeding nucleus and grow-out of genetically improved Rainbow Trout breeding candidates.

According to a press release published by the FAO Representation in Iran, the project mainly focuses on increased availability of farmed Rainbow Trout in Iran with the expected impact of improved food security and livelihoods for people, especially those involved in producing, distributing and consuming farmed fish.

Rainbow Trout farming is an ideal option for sustainable use of water resources in mountainous regions of the country due to the fact that both surface and underground waters are suitable for this purpose.

In regions such as Mazandaran and Gilan provinces where income-generating and employment opportunities are scarce, trout farming could help to ensure employment and increase in income of the local communities.

The FAO’s TCP project is also linked to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) advocated by the United Nations including SDG 6: Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all; SDG 14: Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development; and SDG 15: Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss.