TEHRAN -- 126 million tons of fisheries are produced in the world annually, out of which the share of Iran's exports in the international market is 0.2%, said the Chairman of Board of Directors of Union of Exporters of Aquatics, Mr.

Meshkin Azarian in an interview with IRIB.

He went on to say that part of the 420,000 tons of fisheries is used for the production of fish powder and 360,000 tons consumed by families.

He noted that the per capita consumption of aquatics in Iran is Between 5 and 5.5kg, while the average per capita in the world is 13 to 15kg.

He stressed that increasing the per capita consumption of aquatics in the country will procure job opportunities.

He went on to say that exports were profitable in the year 1999, in which the private sector invested significantly in the fisheries sector, with the help of the government. Therefore Iran was able to export to European countries.

He stated that most of the fisheries' factories are currently producing at 30 percent capacity.

He stressed that Iran's export of aquatics is very negligible Because, the private sector has only been involved in fisheries sine ten years ago.