In the first seven months of the current Iranian calendar year, Iran's fishery production exceeded 512,000 tons, a 32% increase from the previous year. Fishery exports also grew by 44% in weight and 28% in value. The Iran Fishery Organization expects production to reach 1,459,700 tons by year-end. Iran ranks second in fishing among 32 countries in the Indian Ocean and first in the western Indian Ocean, employing 144,000 fishermen and 117,000 aquaculture workers. Fishery production is projected to double in two years, with last year's exports surpassing $310 million.