Sea Cage Production Capacities:
The study of the development of marine cage breeding began in the year 79 by Refa from Norway with the assistance of experts from various fisheries sectors of Iran. In this study, environmental characteristics of aquatic species, selection of sites, species suitable for breeding, preliminary cage fisheries, breeding technologies, marketing, economics, employment and prospects for fisheries development in the Caspian Sea and Oman Sea. And the Persian Gulf has been studied. The results of the studies are as follows:
| Province | (Coastline length (km | Estimated production capacity (thousand tons) |
|---|---|---|
| Mazandaran | 350 | 200 |
| Gilan | 300 | 50-200 |
| Golestan | 300 | 40 |
| Hormozgan | 1050 | 75-120 |
| Bushehr | 500 | 20-30 |
| Sistan and Baluchestan | 300 | 300 |
| Khuzestan | 250 | 5 |
| Total | 3050 | 910 |
According to studies in the Persian Gulf waters, 150,000 tons of species of the region such as Sokla (Rachycentron canadum), White Halva (Pampus argenteus), Shank (Porgy Fish), Hammur (Aethaloperca rogaa), Asian Cucumber (Lates calcarifer), Tuna, Sabati (sobaity seabream), Saltfish, Rashgoo (Threadfins), Redfish and others can be nurtured in marine cages.
Persian Gulf Coasts
The depth of the northwestern part of the Persian Gulf is low but increases in the central and eastern parts near the coast and in the vicinity of the mountains and islands. The wave climate in the Persian Gulf is milder than the Oman and Caspian Sea. Since preliminary studies only consider areas close to the shore, a depth of 20 to 25 m is recommended for cages at this stage.
Khuzestan Province Coasts
Due to the turbidity of the water and the shallow sea, the exploitation for cage fish production is limited. In this province some of the existing Khouryasi branch or where the current cages are located in Khorzaleh can be caged fish by installing small to medium sized cages made of wood. It is also possible to set up cages in offshore areas (6-7 kilometers) in the Hindijan area.
Bushehr Province Coasts
The shores of Bushehr province are suitable for construction of a fish farm in a cage and polyethylene cages with resistance to 6 meters can be used. In this province, Kharco, Kangan, Tonbak, Akhtar and Taheri areas are suitable for cage establishment.
Hormozgan Province Coasts
This province is very suitable for the construction of a fish farm in a cage and polyethylene cages with resistance to 6 meters can be used. In this province, coastal areas of Kohstak, Lark Island (north, northwest and northeast), Hengam Island, Qeshm Island (South East), Farur Island, Kish Island, Honduraby Island, Charak Ports, Gaza, Hosseinah, Shirouieh and Magham they are suitable for breeding fish in cages.
Oman Sea
On the coast of Oman, the sex of the seabed and the depth of water in coastal areas are very suitable. Due to the monsoon winds in the area there are more operational problems and the need for cages resistant to adverse weather conditions and in places with appropriate depths beyond 30 meters. The eastern shores around Chabahar are suitable for the installation of stretched or immersed base cages. These beaches are recommended for later stages of industry development.
Mazandaran Sea
Due to the extent of the coastline, the initial prediction capacity of fisheries in the Caspian Sea is 300,000 tons of fish, salmon and rainbow trout in high-wave cages resistant to up to 10 m in nearshore areas. Obviously, if the cages are installed in offshore areas, this capacity will increase.