A doctoral dissertation at the College of Agriculture examines the composition of the fish community and certain life aspects of three fish species in the Tigris River – Al-Khalis District, Diyala Governorate. – كلية الزراعة

The College of Agriculture at the University of Diyala held a doctoral dissertation defense titled: “The Composition of the Fish Community and Certain Life Aspects of Three Fish Species in the Tigris River – Al-Khalis District, Diyala Governorate.”

Study Objectives

The study, presented by the researcher Ramadan Mutib Hameed, aimed to:

Identify the fish species present in the Tigris River.
Determine the monthly and total catch volume for each species.
Classify species into dominant, seasonal, and rare categories.
Establish a database on fish population numbers, lengths, weights, and their natural diet, tracking dietary changes across seasons.
Assess the feeding behavior of fish to determine whether they are herbivorous, carnivorous, or omnivorous.

Key Findings

The study yielded several significant conclusions, including:

The environmental conditions of the study area are conducive to the growth and reproduction of aquatic life, including commercially important fish species.
The Cyprinidae family exhibited numerical and species dominance in the section of the Tigris River passing through Al-Khalis District.
Common carp (Cyprinus carpio) was the most abundant species in both number and weight across all study stations, alongside the capture of other economically significant species.
The presence of certain fish species was influenced by specific environmental factors.
The natural diet of fish varied with seasonal changes across all study locations.

Recommendations

The study recommends:

Conducting further research on fish communities in the study area.
Maximizing the utilization of the Tigris River for fish farming, given its vast area and the presence of economically valuable fish species.
Recognizing the Tigris River as a natural reserve due to its economic significance and its role as a national resource benefiting the fisheries sector.
Establishing hatcheries and fish farms for native species to provide fingerlings, ensuring the sustainability of fish populations in the river to meet the growing demand for fish meat.
Enforcing regulations to prevent overfishing and banning fishing during breeding seasons to support fish stock conservation.