Rainbow trout, which appear to be well adapted to rapid changes in salinity, have been promoted as a potential candidate for aquaculture in these regions. These limitations, together with an abundance of salt-affected land and water resources, have led to the logical progression of investigating the suitability of these resources for aquaculture. Expansion of aquaculture in these areas is limited by some factors such as shortage of suitable sites and strict environmental regulations. Using saline groundwater for aquaculture production is a potential adaptive use of this otherwise degraded resource.
Most central areas of Iran are under high risk of salinization through shallow water tables. It needs to develop in a manner that both prevents the further degradation of agricultural land and provides opportunities for an alternative and sustained economic base for dependent rural communities. Inland saline aquaculture may offer an opportunity for income diversification and a potentially productive use of land that can no longer support traditional agriculture in salt-affected parts of inland production and investment levels are characteristically low.
