A preliminary stock assessment of Artemia sp. has been carried out in Gonabad salt-waters, situated in the Kavir-e-NamakBasin of eastern Iran for the first time. We conducted seasonal analysis of physico-chemical and biological properties of salt-waters for two stations in the study area over the year 2002. Hand-held plankton net used with a mesh size of 20mm to collect phytoplankton samples. We identified five families of phytoplankton in the salt-waters of the area. These were Nitzschiaceae, Naviculaceae, Cymbellaceae, Oscillatoriaceae and Nostocaceae. Phytoplankton-species from family Nitzschiaceae were the most abundant, present in the waters -year-round and comprised the main food item for Artemia sp in the region. Phytoplankton abundance was highest during spring and earlier autumn and Artemia sp. showed -a fluctuation in their, density over the year, increasing gradually from spring to winter in one station and from spring to autumn in another. Considering the optimal physico-chamical and-biological properties for Artemia sp. production and, development, we concluded-that the best time period for Artemia sp. production is May to November in Kaleshor area.
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