Despite the 495 Million 700 Thousand Dram Grant, Hakob Simidyan Failed to Control Illegal Fishing. ‘Joghovurd’

According to the ‘Joghovurd’ newspaper, in 2022, the National Academy assessed that there were 4,700 tons of salmon in Lake Sevan, and in 2023, there were 3,900 tons.

The fact remains that Hakob Simidyan, the Minister of Environment, failed to fulfill his responsibilities and did not monitor illegal fishing.

Prime Minister Pashinyan expressed his frustration with Simidyan during yesterday’s Cabinet meeting, hinting that the tasks assigned to him remain unaccomplished.

In response, Simidyan stated, “Before September 1, 2024, fishermen may apply for a legal catch of approximately 257 tons within the quota.” He informed that in 2020-21, the quota was around 300 tons, and in 2022-23, it was around 600 tons. Pashinyan elaborated on this data, noting, “Against the quota of 600 tons, we managed to harvest 566.1 tons of fish. This means that we all know that double the amount of fishing is being done, yet even with this quota, for which payments were supposed to be ensured, we have not been able to secure the payment for at least that 600 tons of salmon. This is unacceptable, but there is an even bigger problem as this indicator has decreased in 2023, becoming 390 tons.”

Thus, it turns out that every year the number of salmon and Ishkhan released into Sevan increases, but by the end of the year, due to poachers, the number of salmon and Ishkhan in Sevan significantly decreases.

In 2024, the foundation for the “Restoration of Ishkhan Stocks in Sevan and Development of Fish Farming” received a grant of 495 million 700 thousand drams from the Ministry of Environment through a competitive grant process.

The contract stipulates that the allocated funds are to be spent on fish feed, special professional services, procurement of necessary materials, and other essential services.

It is planned to release small fish of the Ishkhan Gegharkunik species weighing between 3 to 5 grams and 5 to 20 grams into Sevan.

The same grant was valued at 495 million 691 thousand drams in 2023 and 300 million drams in 2022.

As a result, data indicates that while the amount of state grants allocated for fish farming has stabilized year by year, the levels of fishing and poaching have increased. This is precisely why Pashinyan is dissatisfied with Minister Simidyan’s performance.