Commercial Fishing in Lake Sevan Prohibited Starting December 1

Due to the spawning period of the sig fish species, the commercial fishing season in Lake Sevan will end on December 1 of this year.

Initiated by the Ministry of Environment, this year the rules for "Experimental Commercial Fishing of Sig in Lake Sevan" were enacted. According to these rules, all fishermen who applied and signed contracts with the Ministry of Environment were allowed to engage in commercial fishing legally and within the specified regulations and quotas.

Fishermen entered the lake through designated areas monitored by the national park. After fishing, they returned to the same location, weighed the caught fish, and recorded the relevant documents. A total quota of 300 tons was set for the experimental commercial fishing of sig.

Summarizing the fishing season for "Experimental Commercial Fishing of Sig in Lake Sevan," the Ministry noted that 255 contracts were signed with the Ministry of Environment, allowing for the catch of 23,579.1 kg of fish. Throughout the season, approximately 204,491.5 kg of fish was caught. A total of 25 entry points were established for fishing, but only 19 were used.

Environment Minister Romanos Petrosyan has given clear instructions to the management staff of "Sevan National Park" to organize meetings and discussions with fishermen and residents of coastal communities, so that the cessation of the commercial fishing season does not lead to any social issues in the region. All concerns of our compatriots will be taken into account, and discussions will be organized in the relevant departments of the ministry to find solutions.

These regulations have an important goal: to restore the ecosystem of Lake Sevan through the replenishment of fish stocks, thereby preventing the activation of blue-green algae.