Inland fisheries is mainly practiced in Iraq, Egypt, Syria and Sudan as well as other Arab 
countries. The inland fresh water made up of natural lakes; dams and reservoirs, rivers and 
their branches and marshes.

The Iraqi inland fisheries are based in great part on Cyprinus spp., while its most important 
indigenous fishes belong to the genus Barbus. 
Freshwater aquaculture of tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus or O. spilurus)was introduced in 
Kuwait and lately in Jordan.
Inland waters in almost all Arab countries are open access with no catch controls.

Freshwater Aquaculture in Iraq is estimated to be 7 500 ha. The main species cultured is common 
carp and to a lesser extent grass and silver carp.