KRG agriculture ministry warns against fish stocking new dam

ERBIL – The Kurdistan Regional Government’s agriculture ministry has declared  individuals cannot release fish into reservoirs on their own, cautioning that such actions could lead to prosecution.

This announcement comes after a public effort to gather support for stocking fish in the Gomespan reservoir, a campaign that did not have official sanction. The ministry has set forth several guidelines for such initiatives.

Releasing fish into bodies of water without proper authorization and coordination with relevant authorities can have serious ecological repercussions, including the disruption of ecosystems and the introduction of diseases.

“Currently, the Gomespan Dam is under construction and has not been officially completed. Thus, any activities at this juncture are considered hazardous and must be fully coordinated with the ministry’s departments and receive official permission,” officials stated.

Local efforts to introduce fry or fingerlings into water bodies, despite being well-intentioned, could potentially harm the environment. The ministry stressed the importance of working in conjunction with wildlife experts to ensure ecosystem protection and regulatory compliance.

The statement also outlined the ministry’s annual fish production plan, which focuses on enhancing the aquatic livestock infrastructure via reservoirs and irrigation projects. This plan involves assessing the suitability of fish species for the local environment based on climate conditions and the health of the water source, following evaluations by the ministry’s technical and scientific team.

Officials have issued a warning that unauthorized fish stocking activities in the region’s reservoirs will result in legal action and accountability.