West Azarbaijan - Iran has resumed harvesting freshwater crayfish from the Aras Dam reservoir, located downstream of Poldasht in West Azarbaijan, after an eight-year ban imposed to allow natural stocks to recover, with authorities targeting a significant increase in exports this year.

 

Mohammad-Reza Asghari, head of the West Azerbaijan Agricultural Jihad Organization, said the province has developed Iran’s first national protocol for the breeding and farming of freshwater crayfish, known locally as the “red gold of Aras.”

 

The protocol is intended to improve the sustainable management of crayfish resources and double exports this year. Asghari said the species has significant export potential and that the new framework will help organize the sector, restore natural stocks and support the development of commercial aquaculture.

 

Following the eight-year fishing ban, pilot harvesting has now resumed under close supervision by fisheries authorities and the Agricultural Sector Development Support Fund.

 

“The province harvested and exported 5 tons of crayfish last year. Officials expect production and exports to increase by up to twofold this year as the new protocol is implemented and scientific monitoring is expanded.”

 

Asghari said the initiative also aims to strengthen the aquatic value chain, reduce pressure on natural resources and create new investment and employment opportunities in West Azarbaijan’s aquaculture sector.