Agricultural Research,Education and Extension OrganizationIranian Journal of Fisheries Sciences1562-291617320180701Morphological and structural characterization of blood cells of Anadara antiquata61361911636710.22092/ijfs.2018.119523.ENAbdul HameedCenter of Excellence in Marine Biology, University of KarachiFaiz MuhammadCenter of Excellence in Marine Biology, University of KarachiAsadullah AliCenter of Excellence in Marine Biology, University of KarachiMuhammad ShafiLasbella University of Agriculture, Water and Marine SciencesRazia SultanaPCSIR, Laboratory Complex KarachiJournal Article20170420Blood cells are key component of organism for their survival and has profound role in defence mechanism of invertebrates similarly in bivalve species, the key role is healing wound and nutrients transportation. The Anadara antiquata is unique because of haemoglobin in their haemolymph and it is commonly found in Pakistani coast.<br /> <br /> Present investigation revealed three types of Blood cells, namely Red blood cells, White blood cells and platelets, whereas cytochemical analyses denoted that all cells are Periodic Acid Schiff (PAS) and Sudan Black B positive. The nucleus structure supported the stated classification. The ultra-structural studies have shown the abundance of RBC. The present study is contribution in the blood cell morphology of Anadara antiquata.Agricultural Research,Education and Extension OrganizationIranian Journal of Fisheries Sciences1562-291617320180701The effect of Gokshura (Tribulus terrestris) and Nettle root (Urtica dioica) on growth rate and sex reversal of convict cichlid (Cichlasoma nigrofasciatum)62062811636810.22092/ijfs.2018.116368ENParisa BabahajianBorhan ShokrollahiSanandaj branch, Islamic Azad UniversityMahtab GharibkhaniIslamic Azad University, Astara BranchJournal Article20160530The aims of the present study were to investigate the effect of Gokshura and nettle root extracts on growth rate and sex reversal in Convict cichlid fish. Seven-day hatchlings were immersed in water containing 0 (Control, T1), 200 mg/l nettle root extract (T2), 300 mg/l nettle root extract (T3), 10 mg/l Gokshura extract (T4) and 10 mg/l Gokshura plus 200 mg/l nettle root extracts (T5) for two months. Each treatment consisted of three replicates (with 35 fishes in each replicate). Weightings and sex determination were performed at the end of the experiment. The results showed that nettle root extract had a very significant effect on feminization as all fishes in treatments T2 and T3 became female (P<0.0001). Gokshura (T4) had substantial effect on sex reversal (P>0.05). The number of male fishes were significantly higher than females in treatment T5 (P<0.05). There were significant differences in body weights (BW), lengths (BL), specific growth rate (SGR), daily growth rate (DGR), percent of body weight gain (BWG%) and condition factor (CF) among treatments (P>0.05). In conclusion, nettle root extract led to transsexuals to feminization and both extracts reduced the growth rate of fishes in comparison with control fishes.Agricultural Research,Education and Extension OrganizationIranian Journal of Fisheries Sciences1562-291617320180701Nitrogen and phosphorous budgets for integrated culture of Litopenaeus vannamei with red sea algae Gracilaria corticata under zero water exchange system47148611638210.22092/ijfs.2018.116382ENHojjatollah FourooghifardPersian Gulf and Oman Sea Ecology Research Center, Iranian Fisheries Sciecne Research Institute, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO)Abbas MatinfarIranian Fisheries Sciecne Research Institute, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO)Mohammad Sediq MortazaviPersian Gulf and Oman Sea Ecology Research Center, Iranian Fisheries Sciecne Research Institute, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO)Kiuomars Roohani GhadikolaeePersian Gulf and Oman Sea Ecology Research Center, Iranian Fisheries Sciecne Research Institute, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO)Maryam MirbakhshIran Shrimp Research CenteJournal Article20160905Abstract <br /> <br /> In this study, a 2×3 factorial design with two levels of shrimp density (25 and 50 shrimp per m-2) and three levels of red algae density (0, 200 and 400g per m-2) was applied to calculate nitrogen and phosphorous budgets in integrated culture of Litopenaeus vannamei with Gracilaria corticata during 45 days under zero water exchange system. Juvenile of L.vannamei (5.82 ± 0.11 g) and G.corticata were cultured in 18 round 1 m3 poly ethylene tanks. Water temperature, dissolved oxygen (DO), pH and salinity were measured each 3- day. Results indicated that shrimp density had a significant effect on pH and DO in the morning and in the afternoon. The algae density didn’t have a significant effect on pH and DO culturing tanks (p > 0.05). According to The results of this study, the main source of nitrogen and phosphorus input to the tanks during a 45- day culturing period was from feed. Shrimp and algae densities significantly affect the concentration of total ammonia, nitrite, nitrate and phosphate in water and an increase in shrimp density led to increase of these compounds whereas, increasing the algae density led to reduction of these compounds. Results indicated that increasing the density of G.corticata in all treatments, led to increase in biomass of harvested shrimp and the co-culture of G. corticata with L.vannamei decrease the amount of nitrogen and phosphorus in both water and sediments and improve the water quality of L.vannamei culture.Agricultural Research,Education and Extension OrganizationIranian Journal of Fisheries Sciences1562-291617320180701Association between growth hormone gene polymorphisms and growth traits in Cyprinus carpio from the Caspian Sea53354111647110.22092/ijfs.2018.116471ENNajmeh BerenjkarDepartment of Fisheries, Faculty of Animal Science and Fisheries , Sari Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources University (SANRU), Sari, Iran.MohammadKazem KhalesiDepartment of Fisheries, Faculty of Animal Science and Fisheries , Sari Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources University (SANRU), Sari, Iran.Ghodrat Rahimi MianjiLaboratory for Molecular Genetics and Animal Biotechnology, Faculty of Animal Sciences and Fisheries , Sari Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources University (SANRU), Sari, IranAyoub FarhadiLaboratory for Molecular Genetics and Animal Biotechnology, Faculty of Animal Sciences and Fisheries , Sari Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources University (SANRU), Sari, IranJournal Article20150922Growth hormone (GH) is the most important hormone that controls somatic cell growth and the syntheses of protein, fat, and carbohydrates. This study was to identify gene polymorphism of GH-1 using PCR- single strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) technique and its association with growth traits including condition factor (CF), body weight (BW) and total length (TL) in common carp (Cyprinus carpio). A total of 150 carp at 4 age classes of 4, 6, 12 and 24 months were randomly selected and DNA was extracted from caudal fin by modified salting out method. A fragment of 373 bp from exon 4, intron 4, and exon 5 of GH-1 gene was amplified using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The genotyped samples by SSCP analysis yielded 8 different banding patterns as A, B, C, D, E, F, G and H with frequencies of 31.33, 10.67, 20.67, 22.67, 4.0, 2.0, 2.67 and 6.0 %, respectively. Analysis of marker-trait correlation by General Linear Model (GLM) showed significant associations between carp's GH-1 banding patterns and body weight, but the gene was not significantly associated with TL and CF parameters. The body weights of with a banding pattern of D were significantly (P<0.05) heavier than the other genotypes. Considering the economic importance of common carp and positive association between body weight and the banding pattern found in this study, the marker site in GH-1 gene could be used in marker-assisted selection (MAS) in this species. To achieve a reliable conclusion, further experiments should employ an appropriate sample size.Agricultural Research,Education and Extension OrganizationIranian Journal of Fisheries Sciences1562-291617320180701In vitro study of antibacterial activities of ethanol, methanol and acetone extracts from sea cucumber Holothuria parva54255111647210.22092/ijfs.2018.116472ENHadi EbrahimiAmir VazirizadehIraj NabipourAkram NajafiBushehr Uni Med SciSaeed TajbakhshMahmoud Nafisi BahabadiJournal Article20160404Sea cucumbers are the most important medicinal group among echinoderms. The presence of a wide range of natural bioactive compounds from sea cucumbers has been confirmed in many studies. This study was aimed to evaluate the antibacterial activities of ethanol, methanol and acetone extracts from sea cucumber Holothuria parva. Sea cucumber were collected during low tide from Ola village, Bushehr, Iran. Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) and Minimal Bactericidal Concentration (MBC) of the extracts were determined against five human pathogens. The different components in Holothuria parva were determined by FTIR (Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy) method. All of the crude extracts were shown antimicrobial activity against E.coli , P.aeroginosa and E. fecalis. Also, methanol and ethanol extracts had inhibitory and bactericidal activities on growth of the tested bacteria, respectively (p< 0.05). The FTIR spectra showed the presence of five components such as glycerol, gluconic acid, ouabain, spectinomycin and capreomycin in Holothuria parva. Our results showed that sea cucumber could be an appropriate marine source for antimicrobial components. Further in vivo investigations need to be carried out on its potential application in other aspects of medicine.Agricultural Research,Education and Extension OrganizationIranian Journal of Fisheries Sciences1562-291617320180701Effects of dietary Kemin multi-enzyme on survival rates of common carp (Cyprinus carpio) exposed to abamectin56457211649410.22092/ijfs.2018.116494ENMohammad Forouhar VajargahPhD studentAhmad Mohammadi YalsueiPhD studentAliakbar HedayetiacademicJournal Article20160907The aim of this study was utilizing Kemin multi-enzyme in common carp (Cyprinus carpio) diet and investigating its impact on fish survival rates exposed to the lethal concentration of abamectin. For this purpose, 42 fish were divided into two experimental diets, containing 0 and 1000 mg/kg of diets for 6 weeks. LC50 of abamectin for fish dietary consumed Kemin multi-Enzyme was determined with different concentrations of abamectin (0.25, 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 6 ml/l) for 96 hour. Then fish were exposed to 1.243 mg/liter abamectin. Analysis of the data showed significant difference between treatment and control groups in terms of fatalities (P <0.05). Higher mortality was related to the Kemin multi-enzyme group and lower mortality related to the control group. The 96h LC50 of abamectin for Cyprinus carpio (Treatment) was 0.369 mg/l. Results of this study showed that use of dietary Kemin multi-enzyme although increase the fish growth, but due to high intestinal absorption levels, it can increase the toxicity of abamectin and mortality rate in common carp.Agricultural Research,Education and Extension OrganizationIranian Journal of Fisheries Sciences1562-291617320180701Cloning and expression of the constant region of rainbow trout (Onchorhynchus mykiss) µ immunoglobulin chain in Escherichia coli57358411649610.22092/ijfs.2018.116496ENRoya RahnamaShahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, IranMasoud Reza Seyfi Abad ShapouriShahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, IranRahim PeyghanShahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, IranAnahita RezaieShahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, IranNastaran ShahbazianIranian Veterinary Organization, Tehran, IranJournal Article20161224The importance of rainbow trout (<em>Onchorhynchus mykiss</em>) in Iran aquaculture industry on one hand, and increasing the mortality of this fish due to outbreaks of infectious diseases, on the other hand, indicate the requirement for more profound understanding the rainbow trout immune system and access to laboratory tools for definitive diagnosis of its diseases. One of the most important defense mechanisms of vertebrates including fish is the production of immunoglobulin against microbial pathogens. In rainbow trout, dominant immunoglobulin in serum is immunoglobulin M (IgM). The purpose of this study was the cloning and expression of the constant region of rainbow trout IgM heavy chain (µ chain) gene in <em>Escherichia coli</em>. Therefore, RNA of the targeted gene was extracted from spleen and head kidney of rainbow trout and the constant region of µ chain was amplified by RT-PCR. The amplified fragment was ligated to pMALc2x vector and transferred to DH5α strain of <em>E. coli.</em> Recombinant vector transformed and expressed into <em>E. coli</em> Rosetta strain. SDS-PAGE analysis indicated the production of a recombinant protein with an expected molecular weight of 75 KDa. Thereafter, the recombinant protein was purified by amylose resin and its antigenicity was accessed by immunoblotting. Positive reaction of the expressed protein with anti-trout serum indicated that the expressed constant region of trout µ chain possess antigenic epitopes and could be applied in future immunological studies.Agricultural Research,Education and Extension OrganizationIranian Journal of Fisheries Sciences1562-291617320180701Comparing some biological characteristics of two sturgeons species, Persian sturgeon (Acipenser persicus Borodin, 1897) and Russian sturgeon (A. gueldenstaedtii Brandt & Ratzeburg, 1833) in the Caspian Sea55256311650510.22092/ijfs.2018.116505ENMahmoud TavakoliInternational Sturgeon Research Institute- Stock Assessment DepartmentHasan FazlihCaspian Sea Ecology Research Center- Stock Assessment DepartmentMehdi MoghimCaspian Sea Ecology Research Center- Stock Assessment DepartmentMohamad Reza Behrooz KhoshghalbInternational Sturgeon Research Institute- Stock Assessment DepartmentJournal Article20161009The objective of this study was to compare biological parameters such as length, weight, age, caviar production indices, caviar/weight, growth, condition factor and sex ratios of Persian sturgeon (Acipenser persicus Borodin, 1897) and Russian sturgeon (A. gueldenstaedti Brandt & Ratzeburg, 1833) in the Caspian Sea during 1990-2014. The results showed that a variety of differences between this two species. All these characteristics (except condition factor) of Persian sturgeon were greater than Russian sturgeon. In the long period, the average (±SD) fork length ranged from 129.3 (±11.87) to 140.9 (±15.99) cm and 145.7 (±17.61) to 157.4 (±19.31) cm for the Persian sturgeon. The caviar harvest for the Russian sturgeon ranged from 3.86 (±1.05) to 5.02 (±1.82) kg with a caviar/weight ratio were ranged from 16.9 (±4.12) to 20.1% (±5.12), while comparatively for the Persian sturgeon was greater and ranged from 4.84 (±1.62) and 7.04 (±2.58) kg with a caviar/weight ratio of 16.2 (±3.99) to 21.1 (±5.20) %. The age of both species ranged between 6 to 40 years but the modal age of Russian sturgeon was less than Persian sturgeon. The male:female sex ratio of Russian and Persian sturgeons were 0.23:1 and 0.57:1, respective. The sex ratio of Russian sturgeon was significantly different from sex ration of Persian sturgeon (P <0.001). The condition factor of Russian sturgeon were 0.92 (±0.16) and 0.74 (±0.13) % for Russian sturgeon and Persian sturgeon. Also, results of the MANOVA revealed significant differences in community structure of two species (P < 0.001). Therefore, different conservation and management activity need for these two valuable sturgeons in the Caspian Sea.Agricultural Research,Education and Extension OrganizationIranian Journal of Fisheries Sciences1562-291617320180701Growth performance, feed efficiency and whole-body chemical composition of the oriental river prawn, Macrobrachium nipponense, fed different dietary protein and lipid levels58560211655110.22092/ijfs.2018.116551ENMohammad EttefaghdoostUniversity of GuilanHamid Alaf NoveirianUniversity of GuilanBahram FalahatkarUniversity of GuilanJournal Article20160907A 56 days grow-out experiment with three protein levels (35, 40 and 45%) and three lipid levels (5, 10 and 15%) was conducted to evaluate the optimum protein and lipid ratio for Oriental River Prawn (Macrobrachium nipponense). Four hundred and five prawns, with mean (± SD) weight of 1.40 ± 0.04 g were distributed in 27 glass aquaria and were fed four times daily. Results showed that interaction between protein and lipid was significantly affected on all of the growth indices (P < 0.05). Prawns fed the diet containing 45% protein and 5% lipid showed the highest growth rate, protein and lipid efficiency ratio and protein and lipid productive value with the lowest feed conversion ratio. Increasing dietary protein levels reduced body moisture and protein content increased but had no significant effect on lipid percent (P > 0.05). The results of this study showed that Oriental River Prawn represents the best performance at level of 45% protein and 5% lipid.Agricultural Research,Education and Extension OrganizationIranian Journal of Fisheries Sciences1562-291617320180701Planktonic-based assessment of the landside-dammed lake (Erzurum-Turkey)50351511550410.22092/ijfs.2018.115504ENO FakiogluAtaturk UniversityM KokturkDepartment of Basic Science, Ataturk University Faculty of Fisheries, Erzurum, TurkeyA.S UzundumluDepartment of Agricultural Economics Ataturk University Faculty of Agriculture, Erzurum, TurkeyH ArslanDepartment of Aquaculture, Ataturk University Faculty of Fisheries, Erzurum, TurkeyM AtamanalpDepartment of Aquaculture, Ataturk University Faculty of Fisheries, Erzurum, TurkeyJournal Article20150119The aim of this study was to identify the variation of plankton communities in the Tortum Lake. Changes in phytoplankton and zooplankton communities in relation to the abiotic environment were analyzed using multivariate analysis. Water samples were taken monthly from three sampling points of the Tortum Lake between June 2012 and May 2013. Water temperature (5.28-23.05°C), dissolved oxygen (1.54-13.68 mgL<sup>-1</sup>), and pH (7.22-9.01) were measured in situ. Chlorophyll-a and total orthophosphate concentrations ranged from 0.18 to 5.70 mgL<sup>-1</sup> and from 0.01 to 0.00 mgL<sup>-1</sup>, respectively. In the Tortum Lake, <em>Ceratium hirundinella</em> (18%), <em>Botryococcus braunii</em> (51%), <em>Chlamydomonas microsphaerella</em> (25%), <em>Microcystis aeruginosa</em> (7%), <em>Melosira varians</em> (1%), <em>Monoraphidium contortum</em> (1%), Copepoda (66%), Daphnia (33%) and Keratella (1%) were found. Some species such as <em>M. aeruginosa</em> were increased by organic and inorganic pollution in Tortum Lake. Agricultural Research,Education and Extension OrganizationIranian Journal of Fisheries Sciences1562-291617320180701Analysis on technical efficiency and influencing factors of fishing vessels: a case study of Haizhou Bay, China51653211660810.22092/ijfs.2018.116608ENZhaoqun SunCollege of Fisheries, Ocean University of ChinaRong WanCollege of Fisheries, Ocean University of ChinaYugui ZhuCollege of Fisheries, Ocean University of ChinaJournal Article20160924This paper used the Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) to measure the technical efficiency of fishing vessels in Haizhou Bay, and then used the Tobit regression to define its influencing factors. This study shows that the overall fishing capacity utilization of fishing vessels at present is very low which indicates that there is a serious waste of resources problem in Haizhou Bay. Specifically, the engine power, hull length, vessel’s age and annual days of fishing on the sea are negatively correlated with the fishing vessels technical efficiency which means the decrease of the engine power, hull length, vessel’s age and annual days of fishing on the sea will increase the fishing vessels technical efficiency, and the captain's working seniority, fuel subsidies and total annual cost are positively correlated with the fishing vessels technical efficiency which means the decrease of working seniority, fuel subsidies and total annual cost will decrease the fishing vessels technical efficiency. However, only the P value of annual days of fishing on the sea (P=0.007) and total annual cost (P=0.001) are significant at 5% significance level. Therefore, this paper can concluded that annual days of fishing on the sea and the total annual cost are the main impacting factors.Agricultural Research,Education and Extension OrganizationIranian Journal of Fisheries Sciences1562-291617320180701Analysis and forecast of Pontic shad (Alosa immaculata) catch in Danube River44345711661110.22092/ijfs.2018.116611ENMarija Smederevac-LalicInstitute for Multidisciplinary Research, University of BelgradeAleksandar KalauziInstitute for Multidisciplinary Research, University of BelgradeSlobodan RegnerInstitute for Multidisciplinary Research, University of BelgradeIon NavodaruDanube Delta National Institute for R&amp;D (DDNI/INCDDD)Zeljka Visnjic JefticInstitute for Multidisciplinary Research, University of BelgradeZoran GacicInstitute for Multidisciplinary Research, University of BelgradeMirjana LenhardtInstitute for Multidisciplinary Research, University of BelgradeJournal Article20150827The relationship between annual water level of Danube and annual catches of Pontic shad (Alosa immaculata, Bennett 1835) in Romania were analyzed. For analysis of long term data on the Danube water level and Pontic shad catch (1920-2013), combinations of different methods were applied using programs Statistica, SPSS 13.0 and MATLAB 6. Periodograms, containing cyclic patterns, were obtained using Fourier analysis. Significant oscillations were determined with Fisher-Whittle’s tests and residuals were calculated after subtracting these significant oscillations from the original signals. Autoregressive moving average (ARMA) models of residuals were finally acquired. Results indicated that water levels, and specially those in the May, greatly explained the fluctuations of Pontic shad catch. Annual landings vary greatly and appear to be cyclic. Varying river flow is considered to be one of the most important factors that cause fluctuations in the size of populations. Forecast indicates gradually increase of the catch in next decade. Towards 2033, the catch will decrease. Estimated as vulnerable species of fish by the IUCN, development of the forecasting model of the future catch oscillations could be very helpful to regulate fishing effort.Agricultural Research,Education and Extension OrganizationIranian Journal of Fisheries Sciences1562-291617320180701Gonadal maturity assessment of buttercatfish (Ompok bimaculatus) from Indian major rivers and tributaries during spawning season45847011661210.22092/ijfs.2018.116612ENAbha MishraBBAUUK SarkarCIFRIR KumarNBFGRAnurag RawatBBAUSneha VermaBBAUJournal Article20150916The present work focused to explore reproductive biology of fish from different Indian major rivers and its tributaries by comparing ovarian protein, fecundity, oocyte weight, oocyte diameter and condition factor during the spawning period. Correlation between fish reproductive parameter of different Indian major rivers and its tributaries showed a significant relationship. Among studied parameters fecundity showed highest correlation with ovarian protein level and oocyte weight in Major River where as in tributaries it was highly correlated with ovarian protein. The results from a wild population showed that the fecundity and ovarian protein level was significantly higher in Narmada, and lowest for river Ganga (U.P.). Among the tributaries, maximum ovarian fecundity noticed from river Hooghly with highest protein concentration. The condition factor (K) in female O. bimaculatus reported significant high in major river Cauveri and Sharda tributary. The oocyte weight was significantly higher in major river Krishna and lowest from river Godavari. The fish samples collected from tributaries, Sone River showed a highest oocyte diameter and Betwa river showed a lowest oocyte diameter. It can be concluded that the local area aquatic atmosphere plays important role in the species specification and can affect their reproductive performance so as to their survival.Agricultural Research,Education and Extension OrganizationIranian Journal of Fisheries Sciences1562-291617320180701Effects of dietary exposure to aflatoxins on some plasma biochemical indices of common carp (Cyprinus carpio)48750211655210.22092/ijfs.2018.116552ENMaryam VaziriyanDepartment of Aquaculture, Faculty of Natural Resources and the Environment, Behbahan Khatam Alanbia University of Technology, IranMahdi BanaeeDepartment of Aquaculture, Faculty of Natural Resources and the Environment, Behbahan Khatam Alanbia University of Technology, IranBehzad Nemadoost HaghiDepartment of Aquaculture, Faculty of Natural Resources and the Environment, Behbahan Khatam Alanbia University of Technology, IranMohammad MohiseniDepartment of Aquaculture, Faculty of Natural Resources and the Environment, Behbahan Khatam Alanbia University of Technology, IranJournal Article20160814Aflatoxins are a group of secondary fungal metabolites that occur widely in natural contaminants of many feeds under high humidity and temperature, and are potentially dangerous to fish. Therefore, this study was designed to investigate the effects of aflatoxins on some plasma biochemical indices, as clinical biomarkers, in common carp, Cyprinus carpio. Fish were fed diets contaminated with 0 (control), 0.5, 0.7 and 1.4 mg aflatoxins per kg feed for 3 weeks. No significant changes (P > 0.05) were observed in alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activity in plasma of fish. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, total protein and globulin levels in fish fed aflatoxins showed a significant (P < 0.05) decrease; however, plasma aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activities, glucose, cholesterol, triglyceride and creatinine levels were significantly higher (P < 0.05) than the control group. The results showed that administration of 0.70 and 1.40 mg kg-1 of aflatoxins in fish significantly (P < 0.05) increased albumin levels. The results of this study show that diets containing certain concentrations of aflatoxins (0.5, 0.7 and 1.4 mg kg-1 feed) made serious toxic effects, including changes in plasma biochemical indices.Agricultural Research,Education and Extension OrganizationIranian Journal of Fisheries Sciences1562-291617320180701Estimate of Armington substitution elasticity for fishery products in Iran60361211668110.22092/ijfs.2018.116681ENYaghoub Zeraatkishislamic azad universityF RashidiScience and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, IranD RashidiScience and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, IranJournal Article20160328Abstract<br /> <br /> Nowadays, fishery and aquaculture products form an important fraction of the protein requirement and food of many people on the earth. The hike in prices of these essential products seems necessary owing to the increase in demand and consumption of these products in the country. The price transmission from the international market to the domestic market of tunas was investigated in the present research. For this purpose, the elasticity of substitution between tunas imports with goods produced in Iran (Armington Elasticity) was calculated. Armington elasticity reflects a degree of substitution between commodities produced domestically and those produced abroad. A greater elasticity indicates that buyers did not discriminate between domestic and foreign produced commodities and the buyers considered them same. Therefore, any policy to influence the price of imported commodities will be effective in regulating the prices of commodities produced domestically. In the present study, in order to calculate the Armington elasticity, the annual data for the year’s between1974 - 2014 was used along with the technique of maximum entropy (ME). In addition to Armington elasticity, the least square estimated and vector error correction model (ECM) were estimated using entropy maximization. The results showed that Armington tension in the long-term was greater than that in the short-term. Even though this means the product has been imported, it however serves as an alternative for domestically produced commodities; therefore, buyers do not see any difference between them. Additionally, the prices of these products have been affected by global prices and the swings in global prices can be transported more easily in the long-term than in the short-term to the internal market for these products.