Government Doubles Allowable Volume of Sig Fishing in Sevan

The Government of Armenia intends to increase the allowable volume of commercial sig fishing by an additional 300 tons and extend the fishing period in Lake Sevan until November 20. This decision was adopted without discussion or reporting during today's government meeting.

The draft published on the executive body’s website states that the planned catch for the autumn fishing season was determined through discussions with the Scientific Center of Zoology and Hydroecology of the National Academy of Sciences, the "Sevan" National Park, the Gegharkunik Regional Administration, deputies representing the Gegharkunik region in the National Assembly, as well as fishermen and other interested parties.

"The Scientific Center of Zoology and Hydroecology conducted additional studies to assess the fish stocks in Lake Sevan, particularly focusing on the status and quantity of the one-plus-year-old sig fish species. Based on the data obtained from these studies, the scientific center proposed an additional 300 tons of commercial sig fishing for the period from September 1 to November 20, 2022," the draft decision’s justification states.

It is worth noting that since March 1, 2022, commercial fishing in Lake Sevan officially commenced with a set limit of 300 tons of sig until September 1. According to the official data presented by the government, sig fishing practically began on April 21, 2022, with 571 contracts prepared for 300 tons of fish, and 567 contracts actually signed for 295.8 tons.

It is also mentioned that by increasing the catch limit, the state budget will receive a payment of 19.5 million drams as a natural resource use fee this year.