The Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research/Research and Development Department organized a scientific workshop titled “Grass Carp: Reality, Impact, and Solutions” in cooperation with the Natural History Research Center and Museum at the University of Baghdad on Thursday, June 18, 2026.
The center’s director, Professor Dr. Hanaa Hani Al-Saffar, and the head of the sub-ministerial committee for managing alien and invasive species, Professor Dr. Razzaq Shaalan Akal, welcomed Assistant Professor Dr. Khalid Omran Ali, Director of the Department of Chemical, Biological, and Radiological Safety and Security, representing the Research and Development Department at the Ministry and serving as the rapporteur for the sub-ministerial committee, as well as the following members of the sub-committee:
Professor Dr. Huda Jassim Mohammed Al-Tamimi/College of Science for Women – University of Babylon
Professor Dr. Haider Badri Ali/College of Science – University of Baghdad
Professor Dr. Harith Saeed Jaafar/College of Science – University of Baghdad
Professor Dr. Adnan Ali Hussein Al-Wakkaa / College of Agricultural Engineering Sciences – University of Diyala
Prof. Dr. Sara Qahtan Suleiman / College of Science – University of Tikrit
Dr. Zahraa Yahya Kadhim / Department of Research and Development – Chemical, Biological, and Radiological Safety and Security Section.
In attendance were representatives from all relevant universities, representatives from the Ministries of Environment and Agriculture, and many researchers and academics.
The workshop aimed to study the current state of grass carp infestation in Iraq, assess its environmental impacts, highlight its role in Iraqi waters as an invasive species, and mitigate its negative effects. This was achieved through two lectures presented by members of the ministerial subcommittee:
Prof. Azhar Ahmed Saadallah / Al-Manara University, whose lecture was titled: “Disturbed Ecological Balance: Repercussions of the Spread of Grass Carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella (Valenciennes, 1844) – Treatments and Solutions in Global Studies.”
Assistant Professor Dr. Hind Dhia Hadi, from the Natural History Research Center and Museum, presented her lecture titled: “Assessing the Environmental Impacts of the Grass Carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella, Valenciennes, 1844), an Alien Species in Iraqi Water Systems.”
In conclusion, following extensive discussions with specialized researchers from relevant ministries, the workshop reached several recommendations that could contribute to addressing and developing solutions to mitigate the negative impacts on Iraqi water systems. These recommendations include:
• Conducting a comprehensive environmental impact assessment before releasing or cultivating this fish species for various purposes.
• Mapping the distribution of this species in Iraqi waters.
• Providing technical and financial support for field research that contributes to monitoring and assessing the impacts of alien species, including the grass carp.
• Establishing inter-ministerial research teams to develop scientific solutions to address these environmental challenges. This activity achieves the fourth Sustainable Development Goal: Quality Education, the third Sustainable Development Goal: Good Health and Well-being, and the fourteenth Sustainable Development Goal: Life Below Water.
