The Natural History Research and Museum Center at the University of Baghdad, with the support and guidance of Assistant Professor Dr. Hanaa Hani Al-Saffar, the center’s director, organized a workshop entitled “The Icefish Family” on Tuesday, March 4, 2026. The workshop was led by Assistant Lecturer Ali Kamel Wanas and presented by Lecturer Mohammed Anad Ghazwan.
The icefish family comprises fish with unique characteristics that distinguish them from other fish families, making them particularly well-suited to the icy environment. These fish have adapted their bodies to the harsh, cold environment of the Antarctic. They are known by several different names, including icefish, crocodilefish, and white-blooded fish.
The workshop aimed to introduce the families and genera to which these fish belong, highlighting their importance in the environment and their role as indicators of biodiversity. The most important recommendations highlighted by the workshop included ongoing research and study into fish species that could positively contribute to the protein sources needed by humans for building their bodies, and the promotion of fish farming in cold, saline environments in frozen regions where these species can thrive. In addition, the workshop emphasized the need to monitor and sustainably utilize natural resources to protect diverse fish habitats from depletion, extinction, and overfishing. Finally, it stressed the importance of utilizing genetic improvement programs for commercially important fish species worldwide.
We wish all the faculty members of our center continued success in serving the community, science, and knowledge.
