About the Fisheries Department

1. History and Development

The Department of Fisheries at the University of Kurdistan was established in 2005, admitting 24 undergraduate students in its first cohort. In 2013, the department launched a Master of Science program in Fisheries Science and Engineering with a specialization in Aquaculture. Further expanding its graduate offerings, a Master's program in Aquatic Ecology was introduced in 2018. In 2022, the department began admitting students to its Ph.D. program in Fisheries Science and Engineering, specializing in Aquaculture.

Currently, the Department of Fisheries comprises seven full-time faculty members: one professor, two associate professors, and four assistant professors. Their specializations include four in aquaculture, one in aquatic ecology, one in aquatic animal health and diseases, and one in seafood processing. As one of the few active educational centers in this field in western Iran, and due to its proximity to the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, the department has significant potential to educate students from Iraq.

The department is well-equipped with a diverse range of laboratory instruments for various fisheries studies, housed in seven laboratories covering an area of approximately 250 square meters. Additionally, the department operates a small experimental farm, which includes three rows of concrete ponds, located in the village of Doushan near Sanandaj.

2. Message from the Head of the Department

"With an emphasis on the three principles of conservation, management, and sustainable production in aquatic resources, we are committed to educating our students and training graduates who are proficient in both fundamental knowledge and applied technologies. Our goal is to play an effective role in the comprehensive understanding and conservation of aquatic ecosystems, the sustainable development of fisheries, and ensuring food security through public participation. Our approach focuses on national and regional needs, identifying and developing aquaculture potentials within the province, enhancing the productivity of resources and production factors using modern technologies, developing industries related to seafood processing, and providing solutions to production challenges, all while emphasizing the necessity of preserving aquatic resources and ensuring their health."

3. Vision and Goals

The Department of Fisheries at the University of Kurdistan strives to contribute to the self-sufficiency and protein needs of the country, as well as to create employment opportunities for youth, by understanding aquatic ecosystems, various aquatic species, and their reproduction, cultivation, harvesting, and processing methods. Through a scientific approach, reliance on research findings, and the use of modern technologies, the department aims to enable the proper and sustainable use of aquatic resources, conserve resources and restore stocks, diversify and increase production, improve product quality, and generate employment and income from the fisheries sector.

4. Specializations and Activities

In addition to the Bachelor's program in Fisheries Science and Engineering, the department offers the following graduate programs:

• Master of Science:

  • Aquaculture

  • Aquatic Ecology

• Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.):

  • Aquaculture

5. Position within the Faculty and University

As a key department within the Faculty of Natural Resources, the Department of Fisheries plays a significant role in education, research, and engagement with industry and society in the field of fisheries. Through collaboration with regional, national, and international fisheries and research centers, the department contributes effectively to elevating the scientific and research profile of the faculty and the university, aiming to help solve environmental problems and promote the sustainable development of fisheries resources in the region and the country.

6. Scientific and Research Areas

The Fisheries Science and Engineering program at the University of Kurdistan familiarizes undergraduate and graduate students with various fields of aquatic sciences by offering a diverse range of courses in aquaculture, aquatic ecology, fish harvesting and exploitation, and seafood processing. During their studies, students acquire scientific skills and experience in fundamental biological sciences such as zoology, botany, and ecology, as well as in specialized and applied topics including the reproduction and cultivation of various fish, crustaceans, and mollusks; aquatic ecology; limnology; hydrobiology; nutrition and feed management; seafood processing; aquatic animal health and diseases; genetics and breeding of aquatic animals; and the application of modern technologies such as aquatic biotechnology and nanotechnology. This comprehensive education equips them with the necessary skills to meet the needs of both the executive and research sectors.