UNDP awards contract for fish hatchery startup support in Iraq
Project forms part of wider aquaculture development efforts in southern Iraq
IRAQ – The United Nations Development Programme has issued a contract worth US$40,503 to Gaith Al-Meshreq Co. for the provision of operational supplies and technical startup services for fish hatchery facilities in Basra Governorate, Iraq.
The agreement, referenced as 10529910/UNDP-IRQ-02055 and published on the United Nations Global Marketplace platform, provides support for both the Al-Hartha Fish Hatchery and the Marine Science Centre Fish Hatchery in Basrah.
Under the terms of the contract, the company will deliver key materials and technical assistance to prepare the facilities for active production, including feed, equipment, and related operational necessities.
Project background
This latest award follows earlier activity in the same location, including a January 2026 contract granted to Sar Albraa Company for rehabilitation work at the University of Basrah Marine Science Center Fish Hatchery, which also included installing solar power systems at Al-Hartha.
Prior to that, a separate tender issued in August 2025 focused on restoring the Al-Hartha Fish Hatchery infrastructure, indicating a phased approach to bringing the facilities back into operation.
These combined efforts form part of a broader programme aimed at reviving and expanding aquaculture capacity in Basra, a region located near the Shatt al-Arab waterway and the Arabian Gulf.
Sector implications
The hatchery projects are expected to increase the availability of fish fingerlings for aquaculture operators, thereby supporting production levels among local fish farmers and related enterprises.
At the same time, the initiative is linked to wider challenges affecting the region’s fisheries and agriculture sectors, including rising salinity levels, reduced freshwater flows, and environmental degradation.
UNDP’s involvement also includes technical guidance and operational support to ensure that facilities can function effectively once construction and rehabilitation are completed.
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