Improving the utilization of silver carp (Hypopthalmichthys molitrix) and other under-utilized fish species : fact finding and goal establishing mission to the Islamic Republic of Iran (31 january - 5 february 2004)

In recent years a scientific cooperation between Wageningen-UR and the Iranian Fisheries Research Organisation (IFRO), related to the Iran Fishery Organisation Shilat about processing has been started. In February 1999 a draft memorandum of understanding on fisheries co-operation has been signed. Identified fields of co-operation were for instance Research and Development, especially of value added products, e.g. kilka, promotion of trade of fish and fisheries products between the two countries and also training. Referring to the memorandum the scientific program for collaboration on processing of fish has started on 25 February 2002 (paragraph 3. Production, processing and trade of aquatics/ research). In the Netherlands this cooperation has been made concrete by the project approval of ?Improving the utilization of Silver Carp and other under-utilized fish species; phase 1: fact finding and goal establishing mission to Iran? as part of the DWK 404 project. In this project are involved: ?Netherlands: Animal Science Group Fishery Research, (Frans Veenstra and Jeroen Kals), Agrotechnology &Food Innovations (Paul Bartels en Rene Koster), Dir. Visserijen (Pieter de Rijk) and the Dutch embassy in Tehran (Cees Gravendaal). ?Iran: Iranian Fisheries Research organisation (IFRO) Hamid R. Alizadeh, Ali Farzanfar, Mansour Sadrian and Mr. Arshad from the Iranian national aquatic processing centre. The mission to Iran was made at 31 January ? 5 February. Three institutes has been visited for discussion of a bilateral research proposal in the north of Iran: - The National Aquatic Processing Center at Anzali Port - International Sturgeon Research Institute affiliated to IFRO at Rasht City ? Sanga - Iranian Fisheries Research Organization (IFRO) at Tehran Also the Iranian Fisheries Organization (Shilat) at Tehran has been visited for this purpose. Goal of the mission has been the definition of the objectives for the bilateral research that gives the highest added value to the economy of Iran and the Netherlands, in such a form that the research creates scientific collaboration on processing of fish. As a result of the discussions a proposal has been written for further research based on the processing of the fresh water Silver Carp (Hypopthalmichthys Molitrix). Important items are: -Production of a proper fillet without the unpleasant fatty tissue bones and skin and fresh preservation of this fillet for distribution -Processing of mince and the development of new products for better distribution and utilization of the fish meat. In the Netherlands small scale research will be carried out and contacts with industry will be made for further development. Pilot experiments for implementation of the new processes and products will be made at the IFRO. IFRO will put the same amount of effort to the project as in the Netherlands will be budgeted