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Basrah Marine Science Centre

In 1971, as a result of reseach conducted by UNESCO, the University of Basrah decided to establish an institute which specialized in the study of marine environment in the Iraqi gulf. Three years later, Dr. Stevenson, a member of UNESCO's Marine Section, visited the area and studied the possibility of establishing such a center in Basra. Simultaneously, a group of researchers in the Department of Biology at the University of Basrah began considering same idea. The multiplicity and diversity of possibilities at the University of Basrah made ​​it possible to establish an independent unit which specialized in marine science research within the University of Basrah and it was dubbed the Marine Science Center (MSC). In 1981, the Center was established and all research on marine science in Iraq has officially became part of it. Since then, the Marine Science Center has become the largest specialized center in the region. 

MSC Mission

The Marine Science Center is the only center in Iraq which specializes in marine sciences. It offers scientific research services and consultation to both local establishments and the private sector. The Marine Science Center aims to provide the best service to the community and all who share interests and who benefit from an accurate diagnosis of needs and future expectations in the field. Also, it offers qualified, supportive, and interactive response for their needs by facilitating access to all university processes and services (educational, research, consultation and management). 

MSC Vision

The Marine Science Center strives to become distinguished among Iraqi, Arab and international research centers, colleges and universities in the scientific and academic fields for the kind of services it offers.
In the future, the MSC intends achieve ISO 9001 certification (following standards published in 2000) using the ISO guide and with the academic approval of the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research.

MSC Goals

The MSC fosters a professional culture among academics and employees and seeks to spread this culture across all educational, research, and service fields at the university. The MSC seeks to expand the horizons of all its academics and employees through this philosophy.

Department of Marine Biology

About the Department

The main interest of the Department of Biology is the study of the aquatic flora and fauna in the southern part of Iraq and the northwestern part of the Arabian Gulf. It has a special interest in studying the primary productivity and classification and distribution of the flora and fauna species and secondary productivity of species, as well as studying the biodiversity and distribution of the majority of phytoplankton groups. Recently, some studies have been conducted concerning these types and groups, which are of economic importance. Aquaculture studies of rotifer, cladocera, artemia (Brine Shrimp), and copepoda have been conducted, which play an essential role in the aquatic food chain. And there have been studies in coastal water as well as inland water affected by tidal cycles, including invertebrates, crustacea, mollusca and annelida as well as aquatic plants and seaweed.

Along with the development in the scientific side and application and theoretical framework, the department of biology has conducted studies and research related to bioenergy and its impact on crustaceans and some invertebrates. The department of biology has conducted many scientific research projects in the applied sciences in the southern region of Iraq, especially the marshes and Shatt al-Arab.

The department of biology has a remarkable role in developing scientific research through conducting applied and contractual research projects and participating in conferences, symposia, workshops, and taking part in various projects such as: studying the biodiversity of the southern marshes in 2005, the project of developing artemia units in collaboration with the Ministry of Higher Education in 2006, and a project of environmental survey and biodiversity of Basrah governorate in 2006, and others. It also conducted the evaluation of the environmental impact for some companies developing economic projects in Basrah.

The department consists of 11 specialized laboratories: crustacean laboratory, primary productivity laboratory, aquatic plants laboratory, experimental ecology laboratory, benthic laboratory, invasive species laboratory, zooplankton laboratory, aquaculture laboratory, control laboratory, microscope laboratory, and a microbiology laboratory.

Department Mission

The department mission is to validate the scientific research in all fields of aquatic biology, and to raise a new generation of researchers with a high level of scientific background to help them participate in the department’s projects, giving them the opportunity to complete their higher education in the peer scientific departments in the university.

Department Vision

To diagnose environmental and economic problems related to the aquatic sciences.

Department Goals

The main interest of the Department of Biology is the study of the aquatic flora and fauna in the southern part of Iraq and the northwestern part of the Arabian Gulf. It has a special interest in studying the primary productivity and classification and distribution of the flora and fauna species and secondary productivity of species, as well as studying the biodiversity and distribution of the majority of phytoplankton groups. Recently, some studies have been conducted concerning these types and groups, which are of economic importance. Aquaculture studies of rotifer, cladocera, artemia (Brine Shrimp), and copepoda have been conducted, which play an essential role in the aquatic food chain. And there have been studies in coastal water as well as inland water affected by tidal cycles, including invertebrates, crustacea, mollusca and annelida as well as aquatic plants and seaweed.

Along with the development in the scientific side and application and theoretical framework, the department of biology has conducted studies and research related to bioenergy and its impact on crustaceans and some invertebrates. The department of biology has conducted many scientific research projects in the applied sciences in the southern region of Iraq, especially the marshes and Shatt al-Arab.

Department Laboratories

Crustacea lab.

Primary productivity lab.

Aquatic plants lab.

Experimental ecology lab.

Benthos lab.

Invasive species lab.

Zooplankton lab.

Aquaculture lab.

Microbiology lab.

Department of Marine Chemistry and Environmental pollution

About the Department

The Department of Environmental Chemistry and Pollution is one of the most important departments in the Marine Science Center. It primarily studies the environmental pollutants which have created the critical environmental conditions facing the southern region of Iraq. The department aims to study and investigate the impact of these pollutants on the environment. The department works with other departments to observe inland bodies of water and Iraqi territorial waters. This environmental observation has many sections, including specialized research studying organic, inorganic, and biological pollutants, as well as others. Some pollution in the environment results from untreated household, medical, and hospital sewage, which is released directly into the river waters, passing through the Shatt al-Arab estuary to coastal waters and then is spread in the Arabian Gulf

The Department of Environmental Chemistry and Pollution studies the dynamic effects of certain types of sea species in different regions of the Iraqi territorial waters, especially the coastal region, to prove the presence of environmental stress in the area. In order to conduct these studies, the department works in collaboration with the other departments of the MSC, such as the departments of Marine Biology, Marine Geology, and Marine Physics

The department also assesses environmental pollution of the Shatt al-Arab from medical sewage, its dangers for health, and its impact on the environment of the northwestern Arabian Gulf

By providing important data about the environmental situation, this environmental assessment is considered the fundamental step in the program to conserve environmental diversity and management of the ecosystem. This works as a basis for determining plans and programs for the rehabilitation of some damaged environments and presenting suggestions and solutions for their rehabilitation

Department Mission

The department studies the components and elements of the chemical environment and its annual and seasonal differences, as well as the organic and inorganic pollutants and their effect on the environment

Department Vision

The department aims to achieve its goals by the following

Providing scientific research facilities and laboratory necessities to the researchers in the department

Collecting and organizing data, information, resources and different documents to stay abreast of technological and scientific advances in the fields of the department’s specializations

Working in collaboration with the scientific departments in the MSC, colleges and centers of the university, research establishments, the governmental directorate and other interested parties, to conduct the activities of the department, making the most of the department’s human and financial resources

Introducing the specialized staff of the department to the governmental directorate and private sector and other interested parties for scientific consultation

Establishing and developing cultural and scientific relationships with other departments and parties of interest, including making scientific agreements and exchanging expertise for the sake of staying abreast of modern scientific and technological developments

Participating in organizing conferences, symposia, scientific meetings, workshops, seminars, and training courses held by the MSC and other colleges and scientific centers inside and outside the country

Placing and training the necessary staff of researchers and assistants and furthering their knowledge and experience development

 Publishing scientific reports, newsletters, and journals

Department Goals

The department aims to study the environmental elements, especially the physics and chemistry, in regions of the Arabian Gulf, Oman Gulf, Arabian Sea, the Red Sea, and the inland waters, which are effected by the tide and the marshes 

It also aims to connect studies and researches related to the environmental situation of natural resources and protect them from pollution. The department also seeks to conduct strategic studies concerning the environment and offer suggestions, solutions, and recommendations to the government for environmental problems, which are important for the public welfare

Department Laboratories

Oil Pollution Laboratory

Flame Atomic Absorption Lab

Gas Chromatography GC Lab

Nutrients Lab Water Quality Lab

Marine Chemistry Lab

Marine Pollution Lab

Combating Oil Spills Lab

Iraqi Women for Science Lab

Department of Aquaculture and Fisheries

About the Department

The Department of Aquaculture and Marine Fisheries is one of the main scientific departments of the MSC and includes several specialized research laboratories in the fields of marine and river fishes. It is one of the applied scientific departments, which is related to several applied scientific units, such as the aquaculture station, hatchery, ponds, and feed factory

 The department was established in 1976. Its main goal is conducting extensive studies in the Iraqi marine environment and domestic freshwater environment, comprised of the marshes, Shatt al-Arab, and Shatt al-Basrah. It studies the biology and disease of fishes, technology of aquaculture, and the raising and reproduction of fishes. The department studies the fish stock assessment, the impact of pollution, and marine fishing. The department also is responsible for training and developing specialized staff in these fields

The department was established and developed in order to compensate for the lack of fish production and marine fishing, because of the high local demand for animal protein and since fish protein is the most beneficial and safe. The department plays a main part in developing the scientific basis for making Iraq one of the countries with fish production that meets market demand

The department has three main supporting units: the aquaculture station, the fish hatchery, and the feed factory

Department Mission

The Department of Aquaculture and Marine Fisheries was established in 1976. It is one of the main scientific departments of the MSC, and is one of the notable sources of scientific research. It is a resource for those interested in academic and applied aspects of water wealth. It provides its scientific services and consultations to the local establishments and private sector

 The department provides assistance to fish producers by applying modern technology in aquaculture regarding the raising and reproduction of fishes, especially local ones. It also aims to preserve the environment by using modern environmentally friendly technologies, preserving the fish stock and biodiversity, and limiting the impact of pollution and overfishing. The department works to qualify its scientific staff and higher education students in specializations of the departments in regard to the fish wealth of Iraq

Department Vision

The department aims to become distinguished among the departmen his field

Department Goals

The department aims to develop modern technologies in the field of fish industry, and fish ponds. It strives to facilitate the production process for the private sector and limit the problems they face through expanding fish aquaculture stations and building fish hatcheries for the sake of increasing the industrial production of fishes capable of tolerating different environmental conditions. It also seeks to expand feed factors and aquaculture in river and marine floating cages

Formulating a strategy for managing bodies of water by making the most use of them and preserving the fish stock

Establishing a qualified scientific staff capable of developing the fish industry

Department Laboratories

Fisheries and stock evaluation lab

Ecology and ichthyoplankton lab

Diseases and parasites lab

Fish aquaculture lab

Analyses lab

Transitional diseases and marshes health lab

Hatchery of Marine Science Centre

Aquaponic lab

Biosecurity of fisheries lab

Fish feeding lab