BAKU, Azerbaijan, Oct.15
By Elnur Baghishov – Trend:
It is forecasted that 120 tons of brine shrimp (Artemia) cysts will be extracted from Lake Urmia in the West Azerbaijan Province (northwestern Iran) in the current Iranian year (began March 20, 2020), said Ali Nekuifard, Director of Iranian Artemia Research Center, Trend reports citing Ministry of Agriculture Jihad.
The director noted that in addition, it is planned to extract 180 tons of artemia biomass.
Nekuifard added that in general, $6 million worth of currency will be saved and 400 people will be employed with the taking of this volume of artemia.
Prior to the drought, Lake Urmia was considered one of the largest reserves of artemia in the world. Artemia is used as feed for shrimp, fish and other aquatic creatures.