African Catfish Threaten Iraq's Rivers and Fishing Livelihoods
Fishermen and environmental advocates warn that the spread of non-native African catfish could put native species, fish supplies and fishing livelihoods under increasing pressure.
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) - The spread of African catfish through Iraq's rivers, marshes and waterways is raising concern among fishermen and environmental advocates, who warn that the non-native species could disrupt native fish populations and put further pressure on communities that depend on fishing for their livelihoods.
The concerns, reported by Kurdistan24 Baghdad correspondent Saif Ali, center on the species' reported impact on fish such as Gattan (Mesopotamian Barbel) and Shabut (Mesopotamian Carp), which are important to Iraq's local fisheries. Fishermen say the African catfish's presence is increasingly affecting their catches, while environmental advocates are calling for measures to contain its spread.
Native Fish Under Pressure
Majid al-Ansari, a veteran fisherman, told Kurdistan24 that African catfish are feeding on the eggs and young of other fish species, raising concerns about the ability of native populations to reproduce.
"This fish eats the eggs and fry of other species," al-Ansari said, warning that its increasing presence could threaten traditional species including Gattan and Shabut.
The potential consequences extend beyond the rivers themselves. Ali Mohsen, a fishmonger, said a decline in young native fish could eventually reduce the supply reaching markets and increase economic pressure on fishermen, fish sellers and families whose incomes depend on the sector.
He said the effects may become more apparent as fish from recent breeding cycles fail to replenish stocks, potentially reducing future supplies.
The observations reflect concerns among fishing communities, but the supplied report does not establish that any native Iraqi fish species is facing extinction.
How the Predator Reached Iraq
Omar Abdul Latif, a representative of the Iraq Green Observatory, attributed the presence of African catfish in Iraqi waterways to fish farming in neighboring countries.
According to Abdul Latif, the species was being raised in enclosed facilities for use in animal feed before some fish escaped. He said flooding and torrents subsequently provided a route into Iraqi territory, allowing the species to spread into waterways, particularly in central and southern areas.
The account offers one explanation for how the non-native species reached Iraq, although the supplied material does not provide an independent assessment of its origins or the extent of its current distribution.
Calls for an Urgent Response
Abdul Latif proposed encouraging fishermen to target African catfish and having the government purchase their catches for potential use in poultry and fish feed.
The proposal would seek to turn fishing activity into part of a control effort while providing fishermen with an additional economic incentive. Environmental advocates also say containing the species is important to limit potential disruption to Iraq's aquatic ecosystems.
The spread comes as Iraq's waterways already face pressure from environmental pollution and water scarcity, according to the Kurdistan24 report.
Questions remain over the response from Iraq's Ministry of Environment and other relevant authorities. The report did not cite a government plan specifically addressing African catfish.
For now, fishermen and environmental advocates are calling for effective measures to determine the scale of the species' spread and prevent further pressure on Iraq's native fish and fishing communities.