Sturgeon fish food to be produced domestically

Tehran, Nov 11, IRNA – Head of the International Institute for Research on Sturgeon in Caspian Sea referred to critical cut in number of surgeon fish and added that for the first time the feed of this species will be produced domestically in an effort to protect stocks of sturgeon. Mahmoud Bahmani further remarked that currently one of the most valuable aquatic reserves of the Caspian Sea is sturgeon fish which unfortunately has severely diminished in recent years. It is predicted that by 1400 (2021) the country will be faced with serious problem in this regard, he added. According to the official, the sturgeon fish dates back to 50 million years ago, that is to say the Age of Dinosaurs which are also known as the living fossil. He said research results show that for the protection of sturgeon fish necessary infrastructure should be maintained for supplying necessary feeding requirements. Bahmani said that currently sturgeon fish is being fed the same food used for trout and since the food is floating in water the sturgeon cannot use it due to having lower mouth. Research works show that sturgeon should be fed with the food that remains on the floor. He put production of sturgeon meat in 1392 (2013-2014) at 600 tons while sturgeon fish cultured in ponds amounted to 3,500 tons, adding that if the food demanded by the fish is equal to 2% of its weight12 tons of feed should be supplied for sturgeon fish in the country on daily basis. Bahmani said according to international statistics currently some 100 thousand tons of sturgeon fish is produced in the world of which 50 thousand tons goes to China. He expressed confidence that by gaining access to the exclusive formula for sturgeon food the country can, in addition to providing the required feed for the fish domestically, export the surplus. He referred to the United Arab Emirates which despite possessing the required water resources is expected to produce 700 tons of sturgeon meat and 35 tons of caviar by 2017. Therefore, he added, certainly production of sturgeon feed can be welcomed by most world countries, adding that sturgeon is currently being cultured in 19 provinces of the country, including Khuzestan, Yazd and Qom./end