The Current Status and Recent Trends of Iraqi Marine Waters in The Northwest Arabian Gulf

This study describes the artisanal marine fisheries in Iraq. Historical data from 2008 to 2021 and monthly monitoring results from January to December 2022 were used to document the current state of knowledge and identify potential gaps. The study aims to recommend more effective measures for managing marine fisheries in Iraq. According to the study, there has been a significant increase in total fish landings in recent years. The lowest landing recorded was 2,587 tons in 2008, while the highest was 19,877 tons in 2020. The study also found a shift in the dominant fish species over time, with a decline in the contribution of main fish species such as river shad and mullets, and an increase in low economic species, particularly threadfin bream, which became the predominant species in the landings. The fishing effort (number of registered fishing boats) in the present study was higher than that recorded since 2008. From a fisheries management viewpoint, it is essential to emphasize the need for participatory crisis mitigation strategies between upstream and downstream riparian countries to preserve the ecosystems of the marine waters of Iraq, updating the law on fishing and protection of aquatic organisms and the regional cooperation in managing the shared species stocks.