The Iraqi Fishermen's Association continues its efforts to organize fishing activities and raise awareness about legal and environmental regulations, in collaboration with official authorities, amid increasing challenges that include water scarcity and the decline of natural habitats for birds, along with the effects on biodiversity and migration paths.
Ahmed Mazhar Shakir, a former board member of the association, told the Iraqi News Agency (INA) that the association, established in 1983 and comprising around four thousand fishermen, both professionals and amateurs, works to educate fishermen about the necessity of adhering to applicable laws and regulations, organizing fishing trips, and reducing overfishing that threatens migratory birds and ecological balance.
He added that hunting seasons and the types of species allowed for hunting are subject to official regulations, emphasizing the importance of adhering to specified timings and staying away from border areas and military zones.
Shakir pointed to the diversity of birds in Iraq, including migratory, resident, summer, winter, terrestrial, and aquatic species, noting that some association members also engage in fishing in marsh areas, with participation from fishermen from different provinces.
He clarified that the association seeks to develop its services for professional and amateur fishermen, and to enhance cooperation with official bodies, indicating the existence of joint projects, including collaboration with the Ministry of Defense in the field of cartridge manufacturing.
He also expressed his aspiration to benefit from the experiences of fishing associations in other countries, particularly in organizing competitions and events and providing comprehensive services for fishermen, including transportation, accommodation, and fishing supplies.
For his part, former secretary of the association, engineer Sa'il Adid Al-Farraon, stated in a statement followed by the News Video Agency, that the association is considered one of the self-financing organizations under the Civil Society Organizations Department in the General Secretariat of the Cabinet, and is administratively linked to the Ministry of Environment, coordinating with the Ministry of Agriculture and other relevant authorities.
He added that the association adheres to the regulations regarding fishing seasons and the types of species allowed for hunting and collaborates with the Environmental Police to protect birds and wildlife, particularly endangered species, as well as contributing to efforts to reduce their smuggling out of Iraq.
Al-Farraon pointed out that organizing fishing trips for Gulf visitors requires obtaining the necessary approvals and official permits, and adhering to Iraqi regulations that distinguish between species allowed for hunting and those prohibited due to their rarity or risk of extinction, affirming that the association works to coordinate trips according to established procedures and under the supervision of the relevant authorities.