TEHRAN – The head of the Iranian Fisheries Organization (IFO) has emphasized the use of new technologies in the fishing industry and said: “We have entered into negotiations with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) to transfer new technologies in all areas from fishing to processing.”

“More than 45 percent of the country's catch is comprised of tuna fish and Iranian fishermen are ranked first in the west of the Indian Ocean with more than 1,000 boats,” Hossein Hosseini said.

“IFO has put the use of new technologies, in which some countries such as Japan are leaders, on the agenda, and we have entered into negotiations with UNIDO to transfer new technologies from fishing to processing,” he added.

Emphasizing that completing the tuna fish value chain is very important, Hosseini said: “Currently, the production of tuna in the country is 282 tons, most of which is sold in the form of canned food. In the first phase, we plan to bring 10 percent of this amount to the table of Iranians in the form of fresh meat, and in the next phases, we will increase the figure to 50 percent.”

Back in December 2023, Hosseini said the country’s fishery output is going to be increased to 2.6 million tons in the next 10 years.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the seventh International Congress on Fisheries and Aquatic Research in late December, 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,” he 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.

EF/