Tehran - Iran’s fisheries sector generated $600 million in export revenue during the first eight months of the current year, reflecting an 8 percent increase, according to the head of the Iran Fisheries Organization (IFO).

 

Speaking on the sidelines of the National Aquaculture Conference in Lorestan Province, Hamzeh Rostampour said fisheries production exceeded 1.5 million tons last year and is expected to grow further this year, underscoring Iran’s strong capacity in the sector.

 

He noted that more than 40 trillion tomans in private-sector investment has already been mobilized, meeting most of the government’s 50-trillion-toman target.

 

Highlighting provincial developments, Rostampour said an 11-trillion-toman memorandum of understanding has been signed in Lorestan, which is expected to create more than 3,000 jobs and add 17,000 tons of production capacity.

 

He also reported that shrimp harvests have surpassed 55,000 tons so far this year and expressed confidence that a new production record will be achieved.

 

Rostampour said Lorestan is moving toward becoming Iran’s main export hub for trout, citing its significant aquaculture potential. Nationwide, he added, more than 20,500 fishing vessels and 288,000 people are directly employed in the fisheries sector, with total employment exceeding one million when indirect jobs are included.

 

He noted that Iran’s 8 percent growth in aquatic production is above the global average and announced that a major aquaculture project worth over 10 trillion tomans is underway in Lorestan, expected to create around 18,700 jobs.