Duhok Launches Iraq’s First Advanced Closed Fish Farming System
Kurdistan's Duhok launches Iraq's first closed-system fish farm, enabling year-round production with 600,000 fish per cycle. The innovative project addresses drought challenges while boosting output to 1,200 tons annually.
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – The Duhok province is set to implement a closed-system fish farming project, marking the first initiative of its kind in both the Kurdistan Region and Iraq, with the aim of boosting production and reducing losses in the sector.
The Director of Animal Resources in Duhok stated that the new system is among the most efficient methods of fish production, as it allows full control over key farming factors such as oxygen levels, water temperature, and feed quality. This level of precision, he noted, significantly reduces the risks faced by traditional fish farms.
Mohammed Sadiq, supervisor of one of the province’s fish farming projects, explained to Kurdisran24, that the system is unique compared to others in Iraq and abroad, enabling a single operator to manage the entire production process. He added that it allows for the release of fish to markets three times per year, compared to just once annually in conventional systems, with each production cycle yielding over 600,000 fish.
For his part, Duhok’s Director of Fisheries, Redar Sadiqi, said the province hosts the largest fish farming project in the Kurdistan Region, with an annual production capcity of 1,200 tons. He noted that salmon and other fish species are raised in fiberglass and concrete ponds, ensuring high-quality output.
The adoption of this modern system comes as fish farming projects face mounting challenges due to drought, falling water levels at Mosul Dam, and the spread of diseases. These factors have inflicted heavy losses on the sector, prompting investors to seek innovative solutions to maintain and increase production.
KRG Expands Regional Fish Resources
This innovation aligns with broader efforts by the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) to strengthen the sector. On Aug. 3, the Ministry of Agriculture and Water Resources launched its first major fish stock enhancement campaign of the year, releasing over 400,000 fingerlings into Dukan Dam.
Hiwa Ali, spokesperson for the ministry, told Kurdistan24 that prioritizing and expanding fish resources is a strategic goal. “With the aim of prioritizing fish resources, the ministry annually releases more than 650,000 fingerlings into the dams of the Kurdistan Region,” he said.
The adoption of this modern system and the release into Dukan Dam marks the start of the ministry’s 2025 program to increase fish production, part of the Ninth Cabinet’s agenda to enhance food security, reduce import dependence, and achieve self-sufficiency in vital sectors.
