An overview of the status of the inland fishery of Basrah province, Iraq during 2023

The fishing activities in the inland waters in Basrah province, Iraq were evaluated. Information on landings was collected from six inland landing sites from January to December 2023. Inland fishing resulted in a total catch of 2,060 tons of fish and consisted of fifteen fish species. The most commonly caught fish were Common carp (31.36%), Tilapias (13.59%) and Mullets (11.26%). Non-native species like Common carp and Tilapias contributed 44.95% of the total inland catch. In contrast, native highly valued species like Binni, Yellowfin barbell, Himri barbell, and Shabout formed only 18.10% of the total catch. So, from a fisheries management perspective, it is crucial to boost the populations of native species, ensure the right amount of water is obtained from the upper Tigris and Euphrates Rivers, and implement national fishing regulations to deter illegal fishing methods.