Fish farms in Taq Taq face closure over licensing issues

Dec. 10, 2024

ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – On Tuesday, most of fish farmers in Taq Taq district gathered to find a solution to the closure of their fish farms.

More than 1,200 fish farms in the Taq Taq district are facing potential shutting down following a recent order from the Public Prosecutor necessitating all unlicensed farms to be closed until proper permits are attained.

The instruction has caused concern among local fish farmers, who met on Tuesday to exchange ideas to find solutions to their licensing dilemma.

Many of these fish farms have been running since the 1990s without having official and required licenses.

In an interview with Kurdistan24, Taq Taq District Administrator Aso Mustafa stressed the economic importance of the region's aquaculture industry.

"Taq Taq has emerged as a crucial hub for fish production and distribution throughout Iraq, in particular after approximately 700 fish farms in Daquq were ordered closure," Mustafa said.

The district's fish farming industry has become gradually central to both local employment and food security.

"These farms have become a vital source of income for our residents while also meeting domestic market demands," Mustafa explained.

However, he underlined that new farms must abide by the rules and regulations and obtain proper licensing documents.

The situation brings to light the intricate balance between preserving economic stability and applying monitoring oversight in the Kurdistan Region's agricultural sector.

Whereas old fish farms have operated informally for decades, authorities are now pushing for greater compliance with licensing requirements.

The consequence of this regulatory decision could have noteworthy implications for both the local economy and Iraq's broader food supply chain, given Taq Taq's position as a major fish production center.