Fishermen Open Sevan-Yerevan Highway: Agreement Reached with the Governor

Everyone understands that when regulating a field that has been left unchecked for many years, certain issues may arise. For two days, order has been in effect, and our citizens have encountered specific problems, which is why they are raising their voices in protest. This was stated today, August 21, during a conversation with journalists by Gegharkunik Governor Gnel Sanosyan, addressing the closure of the Sevan-Yerevan highway by fishermen.

“We have reached an agreement that without unnecessary escalation, in a calm atmosphere over the weekend, they will document all the issues they see on paper and submit them to the Ministry of Environment, and the responsible parties will try to respond. There are questions for which responses already exist, there are questions that require legislative regulation, and some issues may take a little time to resolve. I believe the ministry will provide exhaustive answers to all the questions from our residents,” emphasized Sanosyan.

It should be noted that fishing for the Sig fish species has been permitted in Sevan since 2004. On June 18, 2020, a government decision allowed experimental fishing of the Sig fish in Lake Sevan, but only if the fish weighs at least 500 grams. A resource use fee of 65 drams has been set for each kilogram.

Gnel Sanosyan added that several discussions had taken place at the governor's office regarding new regulations with the fishermen. According to the fishermen, they had been fined today, and their fishing nets had been confiscated, which is why they had blocked the highway.