Statement
Iraq’s water resources ministry dismantles 700 illegal fish ponds in Kirkuk
KIRKUK– The Iraqi Ministry of Water Resources announced on Wednesday the dismantling of over 700 illegal fish ponds across Kirkuk governorate, as part of the removing violations and encroachments campaign.
According to a ministry statement, “The campaign involved the removal of 531 ponds that were illegally utilizing surface water and 171 ponds using groundwater in Kirkuk governorate.”
The statement also highlighted that the committee responsible for eliminating these violations continues to work on filling and dismantling the illegal ponds, emphasizing, “The campaign will not end until all groundwater and surface water violations are eradicated.”
It also mentioned, “There is high-level coordination with security forces to support the teams removing these illegal operations, and the High Judicial Council.”
At the early phase of this campaign in Kirkuk in February, the closure and dismantling of fish ponds in Kirkuk and its surrounding areas has led to an increase in fish prices, with the cost per kilogram of fish rising by about 3,000 Iraqi dinars ($2).
Mohammed Mehdi, director of the Kirkuk Water Resources Directorate, then told 964media that pond owners had been warned to stop operations to avoid significant losses. Those who failed to comply saw their ponds destroyed by authorities.
Mehdi said this measure is in line with directives from the Iraqi Council of Ministers to protect water resources. He added that any new fish ponds would be immediately demolished.
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