Skip to main content
Skip to sub-navigation
About USAID Our Work Locations Policy Press Business Careers Stripes Graphic USAID Home
United States Agency for International Development Assistance for Iraq USAID
Iraq Information
Accomplishments »
Contracts and Grants »
Employment Opportunities »
Sectoral Consultations »
Press Information »
Testimony & Speeches »
Audio/Video »
Photos »
Inspector General »
U.S. Embassy - Baghdad »
USAID: Español - Irak »

Iraq Updates

Get Acrobat Reader...

Marshlands

USAID's marshland restoration initiative works with local residents in support of marshland restoration and the social and economic development of marsh communities.


Major Accomplishments to Date:

    Photo:
    Before the marshes were drained, the marsh economy was based on agriculture, livestock, birding, matmaking, and fishing. Although fishing was a primary economic livelihood for only a few low-status tribes, subsistence fishing was practiced widely, and fish was a major food item. USAID’s Marshlands program aims to rehabilitate fish stocks to allow these practices to resume. Fish production increases will be achieved by reflooding the largest possible area and by keeping sluices open within flood control and agricultural constraints to maintain fish migration and spawning. Fishery diversity and productivity will take years to return, but there are encouraging signs that it can recover.
  • Marshland restoration activities have included surveys, pilot sites, flow and marsh hydrology modeling, and infrastructure needs assessments.
  • Produced a technical assessment in June 2003 in collaboration with the Ministry of Water Resources and the a major university.
  • Implementing a strategy for marsh restoration, which includes ecosystem monitoring, wetland reconstruction, hydrologic and hydraulic modeling, agribusiness, fishing and aquaculture, livestock and dairy production, and primary healthcare.
  • Improving capacity through laboratory and GIS development, study tours, training, and formulation of a strategy for international donor assistance and participation.

More Information:

Back to Top ^

Star