Suitable site selection for finfish mariculture development in the northwest Persian Gulf (Iran-Khuzestan)

The aim of this study was to determine suitable location for finfish mariculture in cages in Khuzestan province. The following parameters are considered in site selection: topographical, physical, chemical, biological, socio-economic factors and accessibility. The method used in the study is a direct measurement of the parameters. For site selection the mariculture conducted by arranging the matrix of capability and suitability parameters using scoring and standardization formula. The range values of the topographical, physical, chemical and biological parameters at utilization zone of costal water of Khuzestan province are as follow: (1) Variables of topographical parameter are: (a) Height of wave 0.06 – 2 m, (b) Wind velocity 9 – 22 m/s, (c) depth 7 – 60 m, (d) Substrate consist of: silt clay and silt, (2). Variables of physical parameter are: (a) current velocity 0.05 - 0.8 m/s., (b). turbidity 4 – 181 NTU, (c). temperature 13.93 – 32.68 ºC, (3) Variables of chemical parameter are: (a). dissolved oxygen 4.46 - 11 ppm, (b). pH 7.67 - 8.8, (c) phosphate 0.08 - 2.59 mg/l, (d). nitrite 12 – 595 ppb, (e) nitrate 3.52 – 7.48 ppm, (f) ammonia is 0.002 – 147 mg/l and (g) salinity 41.53 – 48.12 ppt (h) chlorophyll-a 0.5 – 3.55 mg/m3, (4). Variables of biological parameter are: coliforms 7 – 9.5 cell/100ml. The evaluation result on the values of site suitability for the development mariculture at utilization zone of Khuzestan province indicates: marine fish culture using floating net cage at the level of marginally suitable. The suitable zone for fish culture using floating net cage was located between latitude 30º 07' 30" N and 29º 53' 30" N, and longitude 49º 48' 45" E and 49º 60' 00" E in Bahrekan area.