Evaluation of gentic management in hatcheries of warm water fishes south and westsouth of Iran

Carp culture is the most important fisheries subsector. In Iran, warm water fish farming is based on Chinese carps, namely common carp (Cyprinus carpio), silver carp (Hypophtalmichthy molitrix), grass carp (Ctenophrynogodon idella) and bighead (Aristichthys nobilis) carp. These carps are easy to breed in hatcheries in large numbers at little cost, and are distributed to farmers to grow out in ponds or open waters. The characteristics of the carp farming industry in the four main fish farming provinces, Gilan, Mazandaran, Golestan and Khouzestan are different. In 1970, shilat (the fisheries organization of Iran) established a carp culture research station in Gilan province, while the first commercial facility for carp culture was established in 1969, supported by Romanian experts. The number of 5 hatchery in two province Khouzestan and Fars have been established. Production of carp fingerlings increased to 114 million pieces by 2003, of which only 15% is produced by shilat. Some 20 private hatcheries produced more than 85% of the carp seed. Stock deterioration in hatchery populations due to poor broodstock management and in breeding depression has bee observed in recent years in Iran. Retarded growth, reduction in reproductive performance, morphological deformities, increased incidence of diseases and mortalities of hatchery- produced seeds have been reported. Brood stock management as a substantial component of fish farming highly depended on hatchery managers, technicians and fish farmers who are maintaining, selecting, reproducing the locally available brood fish. This project was done in 2002-2003, At first statistical number of hatcheries and warm water farms were collected. 72 Questionaries was filled to know what factors is measured in reproduction season by managers. It was observed that only 10 percent of personel were B.Sc and technician expert. At first broodstock supply was in mazandaran probince and also hatchery managers procurement and collected broodstock from cultured farms and other hatcheries. To decreas the stress MS222 was used by 50% of managers. Brood fish by bodyshape, colour and length were chosen or ommited. In fifty percent hatcheries sex ratio 2♂: 1♀ was done. Also in 80% warm water fishes farms silver carp deficiency and deformities was observed. Ne in hatcheries of south and west south of Iran between 10-200 was observed. Recommendations: for chossing broodstock it should be borne have fast growth, goodbody conformation, disease resistance high fecundity. Also brood stock sufficient numbers contributing to an introduction. We also hope to be able to promote the more general message of good gentic management of aquaculture brood fish hatcheries of Iran.