Alarm: Fallen Fish Being Sold on the Streets

According to the "Zhoghavor" newspaper, for an extended period, cleaned and processed fish have been sold at quite low prices on the streets of Yerevan, Gyumri, and Ejmiatsin. According to citizens, the price for one kilogram of the cleaned "Ishkhan" fish ranges between 1200-1500 drams.

"Zhoghavor" has learned that there are also entrepreneurs who have stored fallen fish in freezers and are gradually selling them. In some places, sellers convince citizens that the fish fell due to electrocution. Meanwhile, some entrepreneurs have buried the fallen fish underground.

According to Arthur Atoyan, president of the Union of Fish Producers and Exporters of Armenia, these are indeed fallen fish that entrepreneurs are trying to sell on the domestic market to cover their losses. "In my opinion, yes, these are fallen fish because fresh fish don’t have an open belly. The belly of the fish opens when it is either spoiled or has a tendency to spoil. Moreover, when you look at the appearance of the fish, it gives the impression of being battered and bruised. But until laboratory tests are conducted, we cannot say anything for certain. Fish are delicate creatures, and if they fall due to disease, or if the volume of the fallen fish is so great, then this is serious," he noted.

On the other hand, according to the Food Safety Inspection Body, it is known what disease caused the fish to fall, and the disease that has been identified is harmless to humans. However, there are businesses that have had tens of tons of fish fall. Those engaged in fish farming have suffered significant losses, but this has not been addressed in the Ministry of Economy, meaning that discussions about compensating entrepreneurs are not even taking place.