SUSTAINABLE EXPLOITATION OF THE BONY FISHES IN IRANIAN COASTAL WATERS OF THE CASPIAN SEA: NECESSITIES AND REQUIREMENTS

The Caspian Sea has a high ecological and biological value due to harboring important commercial bony fishes and sturgeons. There are more than 15 species of bony fishes (excluding kilka) which are harvested by 135 fishing cooperatives in Iranian coastal waters of the Caspian Sea and 10000 fishermen are involved in exploitation of these fishes. Annually, between 20 to 24 thousand tons of commercial bony fishes as Caspian kutum, mullets, bream, pikeperch, European carp, Caspian salmon, shads and other fish species are caught in Iranian coastal waters of the Caspian Sea. Strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT) in exploitation of the bony fishes have been surveyed. SWOT results were analyzed considering the long-term development plan of the Iranian Fisheries Organization for sustainable and responsible exploitation of bony fish species. The effective strategies including rehabilitation of spawning grounds in the rivers, restocking of endangered species, controlling illegal fishing and decreasing the number of beach seine fishing cooperatives were determined as required in Iranian coastal waters of the Caspian Sea.