Tehran – The head of Iran’s Fisheries Organization has announced the launch of 42 major fishing port projects nationwide, representing investments of more than 100 trillion rials (approximately 10,000 billion tomans).

 

In an interview, Hamzeh Rostampour described Iran as a maritime nation with 5,800 kilometers of coastline along its northern and southern shores, including islands.

 

“Iran ranks 40th among 182 countries in terms of maritime access, highlighting the strategic importance of developing the fisheries sector through both sustainable fishing and aquaculture. The government, he said, allocates special funds each year to support this goal,” he said.

 

According to Rostampour, 14 of the fishing ports are currently under construction or undergoing upgrades through contracts with port development firms, with a combined budget exceeding 21 trillion rials.

 

He also detailed key measures implemented last year to strengthen Iran’s fisheries industry, and said, “These include the production and release of 508 million juvenile fish and shrimp to replenish marine stocks, the deployment of over 5,000 concrete artificial reefs to create habitats for aquatic species, and the reinforcement of fisheries protection units to safeguard the country’s aquatic resources.”

 

Rostampour emphasized that these initiatives form part of a broader national strategy to modernize Iran’s fisheries infrastructure, boost production, and ensure long-term sustainability of marine resources.