Experimental Program for Commercial Fishing of Carp to be Implemented in Lake Sevan, Minister to Personally Oversee

The Minister of Environment of Armenia, Romanos Petrosyan, considers the rescue of Lake Sevan a problem of pan-Armenian significance. In a post on his Facebook page, Petrosyan stated that before launching a new procedure aimed at the sustainable use, restoration of biological resources, and the regulation of the contracting process in the lake, he held a consultation at the ministry.

Deputy Ministers Vahe Jilavyan and Vardan Melikyan, the Minister's advisor H. Martirosyan, and the Acting Director of the ‘Sevan’ National Park Ara Khloyan participated in the discussions. The meeting brought to light and cataloged issues hindering the process.

“There are deep and serious challenges in the ‘Sevan’ National Park. I fully recognize the political responsibility, as well as all the legal and social risks involved, but I do not hesitate for a second: the rescue of Sevan is a problem of pan-Armenian significance. In post-revolution Armenia, groups and individuals who consider themselves privileged and have exploited Sevan for years will not be tolerated. Certain individuals within the ‘Sevan’ National Park, acting under the protection of specific employees, who prioritize their personal interests over state and public interests, whether they are the park director or a site inspector, will be rejected,” the minister stated.

Petrosyan added that it is unacceptable to merge the status of those preventing illegal fishing with poachers. “We have discussed with the national park management the necessity of radical and transformational personnel changes. Those who will undertake the virtuous task of protecting Sevan must be devoted. The challenges set before the newly formed unit in the ‘Sevan’ National Park will exemplify this,” Petrosyan wrote. The newly formed special unit will be obligated to establish order in all areas under the jurisdiction of the ‘Sevan’ National Park, strictly follow the restoration of the rule of law, and ultimately become a key tool for the restoration of Sevan’s ecosystem.

The Minister emphasized the importance of the ideological component of the staff being recruited for the new unit. The issue of enhancing the viability of the state should be at the core. One of the top priorities set before the national park is to manage risks, develop and implement long-term strategic programs, and enhance institutional capacities.

“On August 20, the experimental program for commercial fishing of carp in Lake Sevan will commence, which is expected to become the main system for the restoration of fish stocks in the lake in the coming years. In preparation for this, I have given relevant directives to ensure proper oversight and control over all aspects of the program, and to predict and prevent poaching. No one, regardless of their position or status, will have the right to circumvent or ignore the letter of the law. Commercial fishing in Sevan will be under my direct attention,” the minister noted.

The Minister of Environment also added that they will achieve the desired results with the tools of a legal state, and these processes will be met with success.