Strategic Analysis of Fisheries Management in Persian Gulf: Application of Combined SWOT-Fuzzy TOPSIS Model

Fishing is one of the most important economic activities in providing food security and livelihoods locally and globally. Fishing in Persian Gulf also has the potential for strengthening its position in GDP share of Iran's agricultural sector. This study, with an overview of the fishing situation in the Persian Gulf, aimed to present a detailed picture of this activity in southern Iran and its problems to be used in exploiting its potential to improve current conditions. For this purpose, a combined SWOT-Fuzzy TOPSIS approach based on the opinions of experts in the field of fisheries was used in the south of Iran in 2018. The study results can be used as management strategies for enhancing fishing and exploiting fishing opportunities in the Persian Gulf, so that its potential can be exploited, while reducing the pressure on fish stocks. Based on the results, it was suggested that the strategies for enhancing fishing infrastructure in southern Iran, enhancing fishing technologies as high-efficiency fishing tools, establishing a modern fishing zone, stock assessment and developing laws according to its conditions, stock enhancement with fishing habitats and improved value-added fishing with modern marketing and the use of modern processing techniques should be prioritized.