Bass, a fish species belonging to the Tilapia genus, has been cultivated in intensive ponds in Bushehr Province and will soon be available in the market as a rival to the trout.
“We are developing bass fish farms in Tangestan in Bushehr Province with our Norwegian partners since 2005. Now, we have reached the point for supply in Tehran and other major cities,” CEO of Helle shrimp farm Mohammad Qodsi, told IANA.
“Bass is not mass produced yet in Iran, but a pilot project was launched in Bushehr,” he said.
Although the fish is available in Tehran and Isfahan market on “an experimental basis,” cold storage facilities are required for distribution across the country.
“At six months the fish weights 1.1 kg. It is marketed for consumption after deodorizing, because of the ammonium used in raising it,” he added.
Bass is a boneless, delicious fish and nutritionally, “11 times more rich than red meat,” and can be popularized among Iranian families.
Qodsi said, “Norwegian experts studied the country’s southern coasts and suggested raising bass in cage or coastal waters in Qeshm, Kish or Bushehr. Cultivation in intensive ponds is possible only in Bushehr Province.”
Aquaculture in Iran has shown a significant growth in the last decade. During 2012-2013 alone, it had a 32% production growth and saw a 9% production increase per unit volume.
Undoubtedly, cultivating bass is seen as a potentially profitable industry, both in the domestic and international market.
