In an interview with the Tasnim reporter in Urmia, Dr. Ali Nekouei Fard announced the construction of artificial ponds for the production of Artemia cysts in the province and the country using unconventional water resources, salt water and the water of Lake Urmia. He stated: Artemia production can be practiced in areas that have salt water and unconventional waters that are not used for agriculture and drinking. He also spoke about Artemia in Lake Urmia: Artemia urmiana (Günther, 1890) in Lake Urmia is one of the eight species identified in the world and is one of the unique species that should be farmed wisely in the pond, because with the arrival of another species of Artemia, there is a possibility that Artemia urmiana will go extinct.
Three provinces in the country are suitable areas for culturing Artemia
The head of the Iranian Artemia Research Center stated that the potential areas of the Urmia Lake basin have been identified and a plan has been submitted to the Department of Fisheries and the Governorate, which will be implemented if funding is provided. He said: The Golestan, Khuzestan and Qazvin provinces are also potential areas for the production of Artemia and Artemia cysts. He pointed out that identifying the production capacity of Artemia in the country is one of the goals of this research center. Dr. Nekouei Fard said: Lake Urmia has a very high capacity for the culturing of Artemia urmiana. If a permit is issued to harvest Artemia from Lake Urmia, it is possible to harvest it with high power to the extent that 10 % of it meets 90 % of the needs in the country and in addition, part of it can be exported. Dr. Nekouei Fard pointed out that the construction of ponds in the Lake Urmia basin is not cost effective and noted: Due to the fact that Lake Urmia is a good place for the growth and production of Artemia, so there is no need to build a pond because it costs 50 million Toman to build each hectare of the pond.
Construction of Artemia farm pond in the West Azerbaijan province is not cost effective
Dr. Nekouei Fard stated: Also, the weather in the province is warm for three to four months of the year, while in the south of the country the temperature is favorable for the production of this aquatic crustaceans in the pond but the construction of Artemia farm pond in the West Azerbaijan province is not cost effective. The head of the Iranian Artemia Research Center said: Therefore, it is necessary to invest in areas that are economically viable. Due to the hot weather in most months of the year, the south of the country is suitable for the construction of Artemia farm ponds and investing in the southern regions of the country to produce Artemia is economically viable.
Reasons for choosing the 2,000 - hectare Fesenduz complex to produce Artemia
He pointed out that there is currently an Artemia farm pond in the south of West Azerbaijan province and stated: Access to water resources with salinity between 20 to 120 g / l, high temperature, dry seasons and high evaporation rate in the region, the existence of lands left without cultivation and flat with a gentle slope, very low permeability of the soil, very low soil permeability, access to energy resources, proper security of the area, the existence of a road for easy access, as well as the ice house with the possibility of creating a temperature of minus 18 degrees Celsius are among the reasons for choosing the 2,000 - hectare Fesenduz complex to produce Artemia. Dr. Nekouei Fard stated: Since last year, 16 regions of the country have been surveyed, and from this number, some areas are on the agenda that can be profitable for investing in this industry.
Isfahan is one of the suitable areas for the production of Artemia
Dr. Nekouei Fard noted that Isfahan is one of the suitable areas for the production of Artemia. He continued: The Aran va Bidgol County have the potential to produce Artemia in the salt waters of this region. This project will be implemented on a trial basis in this area, in which the necessary water and land should be provided to the exploiters so that this project can be implemented. Referring to the import of Artemia cysts into the country, he said: Due to the fact that the permit is not issued to harvest Artemia cysts from Lake Urmia and Artemia is used as live feed for most ornamental fish, sturgeons and shrimp, so we have to import this animal from foreign countries every year. Referring to the need for 70 tons of Artemia cysts in the country and providing them through imports over the past years, Dr. Nekouei Fard added: Artemia is the most important source of live feed for the development of the aquaculture industry. So we need Artemia cysts to thrive and increase production in the aquaculture industry including the shrimp farming industry.
Harvesting Artemia cysts from Lake Urmia requires a permit from the Department of Environment
Referring to the sale of Artemia and Artemia cysts by some profiteers to the aquaculture practitioners in the aquaculture industry, the head of the Iranian Artemia Research Center stated: Harvesting Artemia cysts from Lake Urmia requires the issuance of a permit from the Department of Environment and this is subject to the lake reaching full recovery and ecological balance. Dr. Nekouei Fard stated: So the applicants of Artemia cysts can meet their needs through the private sector without damaging the Artemia life cycle. Follow - ups have been conducted and the fishermen of Artemia cyst from Lake Urmia will be severely confronted. He pointed out that now the salinity of Lake Urmia has reached 378 grams per liter and the salinity of water has increased compared to last year. He added: There are seven active stations for sampling Artemia resources in Lake Urmia that report chemical and physical characteristics for data analysis.