MONGABAY.COM
Mongabay.com seeks to raise interest in and appreciation of wild lands and wildlife, while examining the impact of emerging trends in climate, technology, economics, and finance on conservation and development (more)
WEEKLY NEWSLETTER
|
|
Iran
Index
The Caspian Sea and the Persian Gulf remained the country's two
largest fishing areas. A variety of fish were found in both bodies
of water; catches totaled 44,800 tons in 1981 and 34,500 tons in
1983. Fishing in the Persian Gulf has declined since the onset of
war with Iraq. By 1986 national freshwater catches totaled only
25,000 to 35,000 tons per year.
Commercial fishing was controlled by two state-owned
enterprises, the Northern Fishing Company operating in the Caspian
Sea and the Southern Fisheries Company in the Persian Gulf and the
Gulf of Oman. Sturgeon, white salmon, whitefish, carp, bream, pike,
and catfish predominate in the Caspian, and sardines, sole, tuna,
bream, snapper, mackerel, swordfish, and shrimp predominate in the
Persian Gulf.
The Caspian sturgeon was of particular importance because it
produces the roe that is processed into caviar. Known as "gray
pearls," Iranian caviar is said to be the finest in the world and
commands a high price. The main importers of Iranian caviar were
the Soviet Union and the West European countries. Increasing
pollution in the Caspian Sea, however, posed a threat to the
industry.
Data as of December 1987
|
|