Control in Lake Sevan and Throughout Armenia Will Be Strengthened

Today, an expanded consultation was held at the Ministry of Environment, led by Minister Hakob Simidyan, with the participation of Deputy Minister Gayane Gabrielyan, representatives from the "Sevan" National Park, the Ministry of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure, the Police of the Republic of Armenia, the Gegharkunik Regional Administration, the Environmental and Mining Inspection Body, and the Yerevan City Hall. The meeting focused on joint measures and cooperation during the spawning period of the Sig fish in Lake Sevan.

As part of the joint monitoring measures, representatives from various departments will hold meetings with local community leaders, fishermen, and citizens living near Lake Sevan. Explanatory work will be conducted regarding the purpose of the event and the actions to be taken, which aim to prohibit fishing for sig in Lake Sevan during the fish species' spawning period.

In this context, swimming aids, fishing gear, and temporary shelters for fishermen will be removed from the "Sevan" National Park area. The entry of all types of fishing gear and swimming aids into Lake Sevan will be prohibited. The officials of the Gegharkunik, Kotayk, Tavush, and Vayots Dzor regional divisions of the police will establish a strict 24-hour control on all forest roads surrounding Lake Sevan, and control points will be set up near the exits of main roads leading out of the Gegharkunik region.

Non-stop duty will be established within the "Sevan" National Park area. As part of these measures, inspections will be organized to prevent the sale of sig fish from Lake Sevan in markets in Yerevan and other regions. Inspections will also be carried out in areas around Lake Sevan and other territories of the "Sevan" National Park.

Minister Hakob Simidyan emphasized the importance of effective implementation of all aspects of the measures and ensuring their proper sequence and continuity. “One of the crucial points of such strict monitoring measures is organizing explanatory work with residents of coastal communities and fishermen of Lake Sevan. Monitoring measures should not provoke resistance among citizens. Our citizens must clearly understand that such regulations have one goal: to restore the ecosystem of Lake Sevan by replenishing fish stocks, which benefits every citizen of the Republic of Armenia,” said the minister, urging his colleagues to approach this nationwide issue with greater responsibility.

During the consultation, potential problems in the implementation of the program were discussed, and procedures, timelines, and other current working issues were elaborated.