TEHRAN – The head of Iran’s Fisheries Organization (IFO) has said the country’s fishery output is going to be increased to 2.6 million tons in the next 10 years, IRNA reported.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the seventh International Congress on Fisheries and Aquatic Research on Sunday, Hossein Hosseini said: “In order to ensure food security, the fishery sector is expected to produce 2.6 million tons of products in the next 10 years.”

“We have started the development of aquatic production using the capabilities of domestic companies on the coast of Makran, and it is hoped that by using the capacities of knowledge-based companies, we will be able to achieve maximum production,” Hosseini said.

According to the official, although fisheries only account for one percent of the country’s agricultural production which is 125 million tons, but in terms of value, it accounts for 10 percent of the total exports of such products.

Emphasizing the importance of research and new technologies in the improvement of production in various agricultural sectors, Hosseini called for maximum cooperation among the country's universities, research institutions, and knowledge-based companies in this regard.

The seventh International Congress on Fisheries and Aquatic Research is being held in Tehran during December 24-26.

The event is attended by Iranian officials and scholars while representatives of 18 foreign countries are also partaking in the congress virtually.

EF/MA