Using satellite monitoring system
Kirkuk authorities target unauthorized fish farms in Laylan
KIRKUK – The Ministry of Water Resources has implemented a satellite monitoring system to identify and dismantle unauthorized fish farms and ponds in Kirkuk’s Laylan district. Despite previous government efforts to shut down thousands of illegal fish farms across the country, owners have attempted to covertly refill the ponds and resume operations.
“We recently detected 30 unauthorized ponds through satellite images provided by the Ministry of Water Resources. In February 2024, we had already demolished 198 unlicensed ponds,” said Mohammed Mehdi Khorshid, Director of Irrigation and Drainage Projects in Kirkuk.
He was on the ground overseeing the filling of ponds in Laylan when 964media spoke to him. Khorshid stressed that the new satellite technology and water body detection system were instrumental in locating the unauthorized ponds operating without official permits. He vowed punitive legal measures against those who had violated the regulations.
Last month, the ministry announced the dismantling of over 700 illegal fish ponds in Kirkuk governorate. The campaign led to the removal of 531 ponds illegally using surface water and 171 ponds tapping into groundwater.
However, the closure of these ponds has resulted in an increase in fish prices, with the cost per kilogram rising by about 3,000 Iraqi dinars ($2).
Iraq's water resources ministry dismantles 700 illegal fish ponds in Kirkuk
Closure of fish ponds in Kirkuk leads to price surge
