Iraq Releases 250,000 Fingerlings to Boost Fish Stocks in the Tigris River

Strengthening Iraq’s Food Security Through Aquaculture

In a significant step toward restoring ecological balance and enhancing national food production, Iraq’s Ministry of Agriculture announced the release of approximately 250,000 fingerlings of various carp species into the Tigris River near Al-Rasheediyah, north of Baghdad.

According to Dr. Waleed Razouqi, Director General of the Animal Resources Department, this release is part of the Ministry’s annual strategy to reinforce local fish populations, increase production capacity, and support national food security. The fingerlings—each around two inches in size—were distributed as part of a broader initiative targeting multiple aquatic ecosystems across the country.

Sustainable Resource Management and Local Biodiversity

Dr. Razouqi added that the Ministry is continuing efforts to breed and multiply native Iraqi fish such as Barbus, Bunni, Catla, and Common Carp. These species are raised in the Al-Radhwaniyah fish sanctuary and supported by fingerling supplies from the Al-Suwaira hatchery.

The Ministry's program is designed not only to improve local nutrition and fisheries yield but also to diversify income opportunities for rural communities and strengthen environmental resilience through sustainable aquaculture.

A Model for Regional Development

This fisheries release campaign aligns with Iraq’s broader agricultural and environmental strategies. With water scarcity, climate change, and overfishing posing real threats to aquatic ecosystems, replenishing the Tigris with native species is a practical and science-driven response.