Efficient management of aquatic resources and development of aquaculture rely on the identification of genetic resources of native species and populations in each region. Studying the geographical distribution, biological characteristics, and ecological status of species can provide the foundation for planning the protection and sustainable exploitation of genetic resources. In this study, we focus on the population distribution of shrimps in the aquaculture industry of Iran and evaluate the current state of stocks and genetic diversity of commercially farmed shrimps. The Persian Gulf is home to two groups of shrimps, Penaeidae and Caridean, with 16 species of Penaeidae family shrimps identified in its waters. However, only five species are commercially exploited in Iran, namely Green tiger prawn (Penaeus semisulcatus), Banana prawn (Fenneropenaeus merguiensis), white shrimp (Litopenaeus setiferus), kiddi shrimp (Parapenaeopsis stylifera), and small white shrimp. Recent studies indicate that the amount of shrimp catch in Iran has decreased by half in recent years, mainly due to the loss of broodstock resulting from overfishing or fishing during the spawning season, as well as the destruction of habitats.
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