Infectious Disease Detected in Ararat Fish Farms

The Food Safety Inspection Agency has summarized the results of the ongoing veterinary epidemiological monitoring conducted based on Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan's directive to implement strict control over the quality of fish raised in fish farms across the country.

According to the inspection agency, inspections in 85 fish farms across the Ararat, Armavir, Aragatsotn, Gegharkunik, Shirak, Kotayk, and Vayots Dzor regions (60 in Ararat, 12 in Armavir, 1 in Aragatsotn, 5 in Gegharkunik, 4 in Kotayk, 2 in Shirak, and 1 in Vayots Dzor) revealed the following findings:

All types of feed used in aquaculture operations, whether imported or domestically produced, had appropriate certification and were properly labeled. Fish samples were collected for testing, which revealed violations and irregularities.

In samples from “Planet Fish” LLC in Ararat region, indicators of pathogens including Aeromonas hydrophila and pathogenic strains of salmonella were identified. Meanwhile, samples from “Elmar” LLC and “Crystal Fish” LLC contained indicators of coliform bacteria.

In addition, samples from fish farming enterprises such as “Alex Fish,” “Black Diamond,” “Elmar,” “Crystal Fish,” “White Dolphin,” “Hovherm,” “Bigama Fruit HR LLC,” and “Eco Fish” showed the presence of Aeromonas hydrophila/caviae pathogens linked to infectious disease.

Parasitic disease indicators were also discovered in samples from “Hovherm” LLC, where diplostomiasis was found, and ichthyothiriasis was detected in samples from “White Dolphin” LLC.

In the Armavir region, fish samples from “Father and Son Buniatsyans” and “Ishkhanalich” LLCs indicated the presence of coliform bacteria. No violations were reported from other farms.

In relation to the identified diseases and deviations, inspectors from the agency provided guidance and recommendations to the operators on combating and preventing diseases, as well as on the necessity of conducting regular disinfections.