Freshwater Fishes of Iran, Introduction

Introduction - Collecting Fishes

Revised: 26 June 2007

Acknowledgements Purpose Materials and Methods History of Research Fisheries Geography Climate Habitats Environmental Change Drainage Basins Scientific Names Fish Structure Collecting Fishes Preserving Fishes Quotes

Collecting methods and literature are summarised by Coad (1993; 1995b). Luck plays a part even in scientific collecting as discovery of new species in areas previously sampled demonstrates (e.g. P. G. Bianco did not collect Petroleuciscus persidis in Fars, while I found several populations of that previously unknown species; conversely he found several populations of Cobitis linea, previously known only from badly damaged type specimens, while I found none!). Repeated visits to areas already sampled may prove rewarding.

It is essential that a collector obtain the necessary licences for scientific purposes. The Department of the Environment, Tehran, issues licences for set periods and areas. There are about 70 National Parks, National Nature Monuments, Wildlife Refuges and Protected Areas or Regions where special licences to collect in these biotic reserves are only issued if there is no threat to endangered species. The Chalus River, Sardab River, Karaj River, Jajrud, Lar-Haraz River and all marshes, wetlands, waterways, deltas and bays along the Caspian Sea coast, and all rivers of Gilan and Mazandaran provinces that enter those waters are protected rivers and wetlands. Penalties for unlawful fishing range up to a year in prison and fines of 50,000 rials. Caspian salmon, cave fishes and trout are protected specifically and by additional fines (Anonymous, 1977-1978).

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