Mazandaran - The head of Iran's Fishery Organization has announced a new strategy to sustainably develop aquaculture in the Caspian Sea, with a focus on expanding salmon farming in sea cages.

 

Hamzeh Rostampour called the inaugural sea-cage salmon project in Tonekabon a turning point for the country's aquaculture sector.

 

"Iran's fisheries future lies in sea cages," he said, citing global environmental limits on traditional fishing.

 

The deputy minister noted that while Iran has over 30,000 mostly land-based fish farms, only a small portion of the Caspian's potential has been tapped. “Up to 90% of fish produced in sea cages is export-ready, he added. If development continues, Caspian aquaculture output could far exceed the current 20,000-ton annual catch.”

 

Asadollah Teymouri, head of Agriculture Organization in Mazandaran Province, also said the first harvest of farmed Caspian salmon from local sea cages marked a strategic step toward self-sufficiency.

 

“The native species has excelled in growth and meat quality, he noted, and should replace previous farmed species in sea cages.”