Fish stocks recover in Hit as breeding-season ban takes effect

ANBAR — Fish populations in the Euphrates River near Hit are recovering following a seasonal fishing ban aimed at protecting species during their breeding cycle, with both native and new varieties making a return, local fishermen say.

“The fishing ban during breeding season has had a positive gradual effect after many species were on the verge of disappearing due to overfishing,” Yasser Abdulrahman, a fisherman in Hit, told 964media. He pointed to the return of shabut, white qattan, huffar, and nabbash, species once in decline.

Abdulrahman also noted the emergence of fish previously uncommon in the area, including qarmouti, caribi, samti, hamri, and khashni. Their presence, he said, is tied to stronger enforcement of fishing regulations during spawning seasons. Since 2016, the spread of a local aquatic plant called zal has also drawn in karas, a species that feeds on it.

Despite improvements, environmental concerns remain. “We used to sit near a steel structure called a duba, and the river smelled fresh. Now even the scent is gone,” Abdulrahman said, citing pollution and fluctuating water levels as persistent issues.

He said the best fishing hours are between sunset and midnight, particularly for caribi and jari, while daytime yields drop due to disturbances from noise and swimmers.

Mueid Rokan, a fish vendor, said demand spikes when government salaries are distributed, and jari is a common favorite. “People prefer jari because it’s cheap and safe for children — it doesn’t have bones,” he told 964media.

Rokan said fish are sourced from Hit, the Jghaifa market, and Lake Tharthar, with prices depending on species and size. Large jari fetches about 4,000 dinars ($2.70) per kilogram, while samti can reach 6,000 dinars ($4). “The bigger the fish, the higher the price and the stronger the flavor,” he said.

Iraq’s Fisheries Law No. 48 of 1976 regulates fishing activity nationwide, including licensing, stock protection, and bans on destructive methods. The law prohibits explosives, poisons, electric currents, and any fishing tools that could harm juvenile fish or obstruct river flow, and bans pollution that threatens aquatic life.