The Farm Day and ceremony for the release of three species of indigenous juvenile fish including Luciobarbus barbulus, Mesopotamichthys sharpeyi and Luciobarbus xanthopterus related to the fisheries extension project of "Attracting Public Participation in Rebuilding of Aquatic Resources in the Hoor al - Azim Wetland" was held at the Neysan River in the Rafi city, Hoveyzeh County. The purpose of the release is to conserve and rebuild aquatic resources, increase fishing prosperity and improve the livelihoods of local communities and residents of villages around the wetland which is carried out every year by the Khuzestan Department of Fisheries. This project was implemented by the deputy for fisheries and aquaculture extension and transfer of research findings of the Iranian Fisheries Science and Research Institute, the Iran Fisheries Organization, the South of Iran Aquaculture Research Center, the Khuzestan Department of Fisheries and the coordinating office for agricultural extension of the Organization of Agriculture - Jahad. The fisheries extension project was implemented to educate, raise awareness and involve local people in releasing aquatic resources and preserving the ecosystem of the Hoor al - Azim Wetland and its valuable organisms. The project benefited from the cooperation of the Hoveyzeh Governorate, the Hoveyzeh Department of Fisheries, and the coordinating office for agricultural extension of the Organization of Agriculture – Jahad as well as the local residents and the Hoveyzeh fishing community. Dr. Hossein Hooshmand, the head of the South of Iran Aquaculture Research Center and the project executor, appreciated the tireless cooperation of the general manager of the Khuzestan Department of Fisheries and the presence of the Imam of Congregational Prayer in the Hoveyzeh County, the deputy governor of the Hoveyzeh County, the prefect of the Neysan District and the managers of the Khuzestan province and the Hoveyzeh County. He stressed the importance of involving the residents of villages around the wetland in conserving and rebuilding of aquatic resources. The head of the South of Iran Aquaculture Research Center added: I hope that fishermen will use the permitted fishing gear and avoid the use of electric shockers and other destructive fishing practices. He emphasized the importance of women's role and ability in family education and considered their participation in this project very effective. He also noted the importance of continuing the relationship between the research sector and the exploiters in the form of fisheries extension projects so that scientific and research findings can be reflected in this field more quickly. Mr. Abu Ali, the general manager of the Khuzestan Department of Fisheries, said that the release of aquatic resources by the Department of Fisheries every year is a valuable step in conserving indigenous fish stocks. He considered it necessary to protect the heritage of the wetland for everyone especially its main exploiters who are fishermen and residents of villages around the wetland. Mr. Abu Ali continued: Undoubtedly, with their participation, this important work will be useful and continuous. At the ceremony, the Imam of Congregational Prayer in the Hoveyzeh County; Hujjat al - Islam Hamzeh Nejad, the deputy governor of the Hoveyzeh County; Mr. Halafi, and the prefect of the Neysan District; Mr. Silavi, gave speeches and appreciated the holding of this ceremony and considered it necessary to pay attention to solving the problems of people's livelihood. In this regard, the Imam of Congregational Prayer in the Hoveyzeh County called for the protection of the water rights of the wetland and the diligent pursuit by the Department of Environment to combat unlicensed fishermen. The deputy governor also referred to the drought and manipulations in recent years in the wetland and cited this as the reason for the emigration of people from this region. He thanked the Department of Fisheries and called for the continuation of such projects. In his speech, Dr. Kurd, the head of the coordinating office for agricultural extension of the Organization of Agriculture – Jahad, referred to the effective joint projects carried out between the South of Iran Aquaculture Research Center and the coordinating office for agricultural extension in the last three years and appreciated the efforts of the research center. He stated that this cooperation is essential for the transfer of knowledge from the research sector to the exploiting community. Dr. Kurd added: The wetlands belong to the general public. The head of the coordinating office for agricultural extension of the Organization of Agriculture – Jahad pointed to the role of fisheries extension to influence the general public through regional promoters and facilitators in the conservation of aquatic resources in the wetland. At the end of the ceremony, with the participation of local people, one million and one hundred thousand fish from three species of Luciobarbus barbulus, Mesopotamichthys sharpeyi and Luciobarbus xanthopterus were released to the Neysan River in the Rafi city, Hoveyzeh County. The Neysan River flows into the Hoor al - Azim Wetland. The ceremony for the release of aquatic resources was also attended by the Imam of Congregational Prayer in the Hoveyzeh County and the managers of the Khuzestan province and the Hoveyzeh County. With today's release, four million fish have been released into the Hoor al - Azim Wetland since the beginning of the year.