Research Article
Volume 2 Issue 1 - 2020
The Future Extinction of Common Carp Fish (Cyprinus Carpio) effecting by climate change that cause appearing a new fish species Gibel carp (Carassius gibelio) in Tigris River and Mosul Dam in Duhok Province, Iraqi Kurdistan
Nutritionist, Head of Fish Resources Department,Duhok Province, Iraqi Kurdistan President of Fish Resources Association in Iraqi Kurdistan
*Corresponding Author: Shokri Omar Mustafa, Nutritionist, Head of Fish Resources Department,Duhok Province, Iraqi Kurdistan President of Fish Resources Association in Iraqi Kurdistan.
Received: March 31, 2020; Published: April 10, 2020
Abstract
It is the first research study to investigate the number of common carp fish and new species of fish (Carassius gibelio) that has been conducted on Tigris River and Mosul Dam in Sumel District (Duhok Province, Kurdistan Region of Iraq). It needs more studies in the future because the climate change has already impacted negatively on fish species and biodiversity of aquatic in Tigris River and Mosul Dam because it appears a new species of fish (Carassius gibelio) that called Gibel carp OR Shikhat fish locally).
It has selected the part of the Dam in the Tigris River that located (Duhok Province) because of the safety, fresh and clean water. This part is consider the best part of fishing and raising fish with cage fish culture system because we have set up many square and circle cage fish culture on that area. Also, all these reasons help us to succeed our study in terms of environment, health and economic aspects. The main aspect is to know what causes to affect negatively on fish species balancing, especially carp (Cyprinus Carpio ) and other fish species such as (Barbus grypus) in Tigris River in Mosul Dam.
In our study there were four groups ( control group and other three groups) and there were significantly differences among groups in terms of number and average weight of (Carassius gibelio , Gibel carp OR Shikhat Fish locally called),and common carp fish and it also has significantly differences in weight in different seasons. It has an obvious explanation because of difference in fish species and it may get curious result that needs further investigation. Perhaps this reflects species of fish, level and source of water, water temperature, natural food variety such as Plankton to name but a few of the variables that could be investigated. It also led us to follow up the research, recording more data and continuing research in the future.
Keywords: Climate change; Common Carp Fish (Cyprinus Carpio) New fish species (Carassius gibelio) Gibel carp OR Shikhat fish Locally called; water temperature, Natural Food; Fishermen and biodiversity balance
Introduction
The climate change has been impacting negatively on fish biodiversity in Duhok province such as in Dams, Rivers, Lakes, and other sources of water. Resolving the effect of climate change on fish populations is complicated, because climate change affects a multitude of environmental factors that may affect various processes at different levels of biological organization. For example, even if the effect of changes in an environmental factor on the physiology of an organism is known. It will be difficult to evaluate the outcome of this organism-level physiological response at the population or ecosystem level (MacKenzie and Köster, 2004). Statistical analysis of available time-series revealed changes in distribution and abundance of fish species that correlate with environmental variables. However, statistical correlations do not necessarily indicate underlying processes.
It may be argued that it will be impossible to detect generalities in the response of fish populations to climate change, because the number of influential factors is excessively large and individual species may differ too widely in their response. Nevertheless, we believe that it is possible to derive common patterns by developing hypotheses about the effect of climatic factors (abiotic variables) on fish populations, based on first principles and by taking account of different levels of biological organization (from cellular- and organism-level eco-physiology to population- and ecosystem-level responses. We review the environmental variables and oceanographic features relevant to fish that are most likely to be affected by climate change, derive theoretical expectations from first principles and physiological and ecological theory, derive working hypotheses for future research, and review the empirical evidence from a selection of well-studied species in the Northeast Atlantic ecosystems against such a theoretical background.
In addition, the negative effect of climate change on Mosul dam and other sources of water in Duhok, Kurdistan Region of Iraq cause and appears a new fish species carassius gibelio called (Gibel carp OR Shikhat Fish locally). This research is the only research that has been done on Tigris River and Mosul dam. It needs more study should have be done on it because the climate change has already impact on it and it appear a new species of fish. The Tigris (tai?ris) is the eastern member of the two great rivers that define Mesopotamia, the other being the Euphrates. The river flows south from the mountains of southeastern Turkey through Iraq and empties itself into the Persian Gulf (Wright 2003).
The Tigris is 1,850 km long, rising in the Taurus Mountains of eastern Turkey about 25 km southeast of the city of Elazig and about 30 km from the headwaters of the Euphrates. The river then flows for 400 km through Turkish territory before becoming the border between Syria and Turkey. This stretch of 44 km is the only part of the river that is located in Syria (BBC news 2014).
Mosul Dam, in Kurdish: (Bêndava Mûsil), Chambarakat Dam, formerly known is the largest dam in Iraq. It is located on the Western of Duhok Governorate and in the western governorate of Ninawa, upstream of the city of Mosul. At full capacity, the hydroelectric dam holds about 11.1 cubic kilometres (2.7 cumi) of water and provides electricity to the 1.7 million residents of Duhok and Mosul. The dam’s main 750 megawatts (1,010,000 hp) power station contains four 187.5 megawatts (251,400 hp) Francis turbine-generators.
Apumped-storage hydroelectricity power plant with a capacity of 250 megawatts (340,000 hp) and a run-of- the-river dam downstream with a 62-megawatt (83,000 hp) capacity also belong to the Mosul Dam scheme. It is ranked as the fourth largest dam in the Middle East, measured by reserve capacity, capturing snowmelt from Turkey, some 70 miles (110 km) north. Built on a karst foundation, concerns over the dam’s instability have led to major remediation and rehabilitation efforts since the 2003 invasion of Iraq. It is selected the part of the Dam that located in Khank, Sumel District, Duhok province because of the safety and fresh and clean water. Furthermore, this part is consider the best part of raising fish with cage fish culture and fishery because we have a hundred fishermen and we also set up many circle cage fish culture on it. Also, we used Fish hatchery pond (Indoor), all these reason help us to succeed our study.
It has been chosen (10 years) for this study (2010 to 2019) because the Common Carp and other species of Fish has been decrease disturbingly and new fish carassius gibelio (Gibel carp OR Shikhat Fish) has been increasing alarmingly for the last ten years.
For all these reasons we decided to conduct this study at Mosul Dam (Khank- Sumeel- Duhok Governorate, Kurdistan Region of Iraq).
Materials and Methods
The study is conducted in (Sumeel District- Duhok province, Kurdistan Region of Iraq). It used many places that fishermen have been using for fishing and the Ministry of Agriculture and Water Resources - General Directorate of Agriculture-Fish Resources Department support them in terms of license and others.
They have been chosen four groups of fishermen (Table 2) for the last ten years from 2010 to 2019 with using different kind of net in terms of size. The study should select three factors but it have chosen two factors because of Kurdistan Region Government economic crisis and ISIS war in terms of Water Biology and species of fish. It divided fishermen into four groups, Control group include (80) fishermen, other three groups include (80 fishermen for each group) with using different size of nets and different places. Furthermore, the water specification is also included.
Results
First of all, we did the survey of 320 fishermen and it divided into four groups of fishermen, first group is control group includes (fishing common carp and carassius gibelio that called Gibel carp OR Shikhat Fish locally) and the other three groups are include the same fishing of fish with the same number of fishermen and in different seasons (summer and winter). Furthermore, the water is supply into Mosul Dam from Tigirs River from Turkey. At the beginning we thought that carassius gibelio fish comes from Turkey through Tigris River, but the result shows an opposite because the negative impact of the global warming has been increased the number of carassius gibelio fish and that can tolerant bad circumstances such as low dissolved Oxygen, high temperature, low nutrient value of water, putting eggs many times in a year and others nutrients such as phytoplankton, zooplankton and other reasons. It also shows increase the number of carassius gibelio fish alarmingly since 2010 till now.
This indicates that the (carassius gibelio that called Gibel carp OR Shikhat Fish locally) will spread very quickly in Mosul Dam in Tigris River and it can impact negatively on other species of fish that affecting on fishermen income in Duhok Province in terms of decrease their income, which leads to socio-economic problem.
Throughout the period (10 years), it indicated that (Table 1) the number of carassius gibelio that Gibel carp OR Shikhat Fish locally) increased alarmingly especially in the last ten years that catching is reach between (20-100 kg/ fisherman/ day), which means that the negative aspect has been already impacting on other species of fish in Mosul Dam such as common carp fish and other fish. Ultimately, group three has significantly difference among groups (1, 2) in terms of average weight and in winter the average weight has higher than in summer that shows in (Table 2).
| # | Year | Species of Fish % | Notes | |
| Common Carp Fish | New Fish carassius gibelioh (Gibel Carp OR Shikhat Fish Locally called) | |||
| 1 | 2010 | 49% | 51% | The new fish species (carassius gibelio that called Gibel carp OR Shikhat Fish locally) has been increase alarmingly year after year |
| 2 | 2011 | 47% | 53% | |
| 3 | 2012 | 45% | 55% | |
| 4 | 2013 | 40% | 60% | |
| 5 | 2014 | 35% | 65% | |
| 6 | 2015 | 30% | 70% | |
| 7 | 2016 | 25% | 75% | |
| 8 | 2017 | 17% | 83% | |
| 9 | 2018 | 11% | 89% | |
| 10 | 2019 | 6% | 94% | |
Table 1: This table shows that the number of new species carassius gibelio that called Gibel carp OR Shikhat Fish locally) has been increasing alarmingly for (10) years since 2010 to 2019.
carassius gibelio ( Shikhat locally called) fish
According to our study, the number of common carp fish has been deceased rapidly because of the negative impact of high water temperature on the life of fish. In contrast, the number of new
| # | Item | Control | Group 1 | Group 2 | Group 3 |
| 1 | Weight of carassius gibelio (g) in Winter | 150 - 401 | 157 - 409 | 154 - 404 | 155 - 410 |
| 2 | Weight of carassius gibelio (g) in Summer | 140 - 370 | 149 - 373 | 143 - 387 | 145 - 390 |
Table 2: Average weight (g) of carassius gibelio fish (Shikhat Fish).
Fish (carassius gibelio that called Gibel carp OR Shikhat Fish locally) has been increased significantly because it might tolerance to high temperature, many times reproduction in a year and low dissolved oxygen in the river and dam water (Chart 3).
Charts 3: (Algae, Intractability, Nitrate composition, PH, DO and Temperature) Attachments.
Discussion
In our study there were significantly differences in number of fish and average weight in different seasons (table 2). It has obvious explanation that the number of (carassius gibelio that called Gibel carp OR Shikhat Fish locally) has been increasing year after year (Mustafa 2014) if you compare with other species of fish such as carp fish and others. It is a curious result that needs further investigation. As shown in previous study.
The number of original fish , the common carp fish has been reduced gradually and increased new fish (carassius gibelio) called Gibel carp OR Shikhat Fish locally year after year (table 1), which effect negatively on the fish stock in Tigris river and Mosul dam, it also impact fishermen income in Duhok province that negative impact on local economic (GDP). Further study required to know the exact number of (carassius gibelio that called Gibel carp OR Shikhat Fish locally with their classification and other species of fish, times of reproduction and natural food with water temperature that make new fish species to increase rapidly.
Conclusion and Recommendation
From the results it is an obvious that the species of a new fish (carassius gibelio that called Gibel carp OR Shikhat Fish locally) has been increased alarmingly, the impact of climate change and Natural foods (Algae, phytoplankton, zooplankton and others) have been effected in terms of increase the number of (carassius gibelio called Gibel carp OR Shikhat Fish locally and decrease the number of local fish especially common carp fish that have been already disappear in Tigris River and Mosul Dam.
Therefore, it needs accelerate solution to solve the problem such as to add a huge number of fingerlings of common carp fish with weight above 10 g into Tigris River and Mosul Dam in Duhok province, Iraqi Kurdistan in order to protect biodiversity and to make normal balance between Common Carp Fish and (carassius gibelio called Gibel carp OR Shikhat Fish locally, and other local fish).
In contrast, study should include the fish specification, water biology, times of reproduction, species of natural food such as Algae, phytoplankton and zooplankton in order to know what is the main reason is the causes of increase the (carassius gibelio that called Gibel carp OR Shikhat Fish locally) and which kind of natural food (plankton) how many times of reproduction in a year that can purring eggs, and water temperature have significantly impact on increasing the new fish. Overall it can be concluded that the quality of water that contain natural food, number of putting eggs and water temperature can potentially impacting negatively on fish balancing. For this to be achieved additional research to look at the efficiency of this a new fish species, climate change and natural food on Mosul Dam is required.
Future Research
They are a number of areas that require further research and some have been outlined above. The important consideration must be to match the new species of fish, times number of reproduction, water temperature and natural food such as algae, phytoplankton, zooplankton and other. New species of fish such as (carassius gibelio), climate change and natural food in the combination profile of Tigris River and Mosul Dam. Why do climate change and natural food such as algae, phytoplankton and zooplankton not give positive responses in all situations? Perhaps this reflects type, level and source of water, water temperature, times of reproduction and quality of water, plankton variety to name but a few of the variables that could be investigated. Also, the international agencies should support Kurdistan Region of Iraq in terms of the impact of climate change on Tigris River, appears a new species of fish (carassius gibelio), valid research and the way of set up data. Other studies could examine the following.
They are a number of areas that require further research and some have been outlined above. The important consideration must be to match the new species of fish, times number of reproduction, water temperature and natural food such as algae, phytoplankton, zooplankton and other. New species of fish such as (carassius gibelio), climate change and natural food in the combination profile of Tigris River and Mosul Dam. Why do climate change and natural food such as algae, phytoplankton and zooplankton not give positive responses in all situations? Perhaps this reflects type, level and source of water, water temperature, times of reproduction and quality of water, plankton variety to name but a few of the variables that could be investigated. Also, the international agencies should support Kurdistan Region of Iraq in terms of the impact of climate change on Tigris River, appears a new species of fish (carassius gibelio), valid research and the way of set up data. Other studies could examine the following.
References
- Christopher DG, Harley A, Randall Hughes, Kristin M, Hultgren, et al. (2006) the impacts of climate change in coastal marine systems Science. Ecol Lett 9(2): 228-241.
- Hoegh-Guldberg, Bruno JF (2010) The Impact of Climate Change on the World’s Marine Ecosystems, Science 328(5985): 1523-1528.
- A growth potential in Sarawak – Guide on Metcage fish culture – August, 1991, Dr. George Chan Hong Nam. Beveridge, M. (2004). Cage Aquaculture. (3rd edn), Blackwell Publishing Ltd, USA, pp. 368.
- Oramary et al. (2016) Feeding Common Carp Fish (Cyprinus Carpio) on natural foods (Algae, Phytoplankton, Zooplankton and others) on Tigris River in Mosul Dam at Khank Fish Hatchery in Sumel, Duhok, Kurdistan Region of Iraq, Journal of Aquaculture Research and Development, Research Article at OMICS.
- Shokri Omar Mustafa (2014) Raising and Fish production pamphlet. (4th edn), Kurdistan Region, Duhok, Department of Aquatic.
- Shokri Omar Mustafa (2013) Raising and Fish production pamphlet. (3rd edn), Kurdistan Region, Duhok, Department of Aquatic.
- Aquatic Animal disease significant to Australia (Identification field guide) (2001). (2nd edn), Fisheris Western Australia – Guidelines for seafood retailers.
- Beveridge MCM (1984) Cage and pen fish farming: carrying capacity models and environmental impact. FAO.
- Boyd CE (1982) Water quality management for pond fish culture. Developments in Aquaculture and Fisheries Science, Elsevier, Amsterdam (Netherlands), pp. 318.
- Cabrita E, Robles V, Herraez P (2009) Methods in reproductive aquaculture. Marine and freshwater species. CRC Press, Taylor & Francis Group, USA, pp. 549.
- Costa-Pierce B.A. (2002). Ecological Aquaculture. The evolution of blue revolution.Blackwell Science. 382 pp.
- Wedster, C.D. & C. Lim (2002). Nutrient requirements and feeding of finfish for aquaculture. 418 pp.
- Mustafa, SO 2008, Fish Raising and Production, 2008 2sd edn, Agronomist Syndicate- Duhok- Kurdistan Region of Iraq, August, 2008, Pamphlet.
- “Kurdish forces ‘retake Mosul dam’ from IS militants”. BBC News.Retrieved 17 August 2014.
- Wright, Andrew G. (5 May 2003). “Iraqi Dam Has Experts On Edge Until Inspection Eases Fears”. Engineering News-Record. Archived from the original on 8 Aug 2003.
- Simkova, A., Vojtek, L., Halacka, K., Hayrsl, P., Vetesnik, L The effect of hybridization on fish physiology, immunity and blood biochemistry: A case study in hybridizing Cyprinus carpio and Carassius gibelio (Cyprinidae). Aquaculture Volume 435, 1 January 2015, Pages 381-389
- Shokri Omar Mustafa, Personal Experiences from 1994 – 2020
Citation: Shokri Omar Mustafa. (2020). The Future Extinction of Common Carp Fish (Cyprinus Carpio) effecting by climate change that cause appearing a new fish species Gibel carp (Carassius gibelio) in Tigris River and Mosul Dam in Duhok Province, Iraqi Kurdistan. Journal of Agriculture and Aquaculture 2(1).
Copyright: © 2020 Shokri Omar Mustafa. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.