Illegal Fishing Incidents Revealed; Supervision Strengthened: Ministry of Internal Affairs

Water resources and biodiversity are of strategic importance for Armenia, which makes it crucial that their proper preservation is a responsible commitment from citizens. This information comes from the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

From November 20 to February 1, due to the spawning season of the whitefish, industrial fishing in Lake Sevan is strictly prohibited.

To prevent illegal fishing incidents, water patrol officers from the Gegharkunik region, in collaboration with staff from the Ministry of Environment's Eco Patrol service, have intensified supervision in Lake Sevan and its surrounding areas since December 5. As a result, they discovered fishing nets and cases of fish poaching.

According to the commander of the 2nd class of water patrols, Ishkhan Hakobyan, “We also provide service in the coastal areas together with the Eco Patrol service. We have particularly strengthened oversight to prevent the extraction of swimming devices and fishing tools.”

Around-the-clock service is being carried out to detect offenders, utilizing unmanned aerial vehicles as well. Water patrol officers and Eco Patrol staff urge not to take risks: any violation detected will lead to responsibility.

“More than ten hidden swimming devices have already been discovered from various parts of Lake Sevan and have been moved to a specially protected area,” noted Poghos Martirosyan, coordinator of the Eco Patrol service for Kotayk and Gegharkunik regions.

As a result of the measures taken, several illegal fishing incidents were uncovered by police officers between December 4 and 8. Specifically, patrol officers in the Tavush region discovered 210 illegally caught whitefish in the vehicle of a resident of Spitak city. Water patrol officers also detected illegal fishing: in a vehicle of a resident of Noratus village on the Sevan-Martuni-Getap road, 154 illegally caught whitefish were found, while in the vehicle of a resident of Sevan city, 82 were uncovered.

The future of Lake Sevan depends on the wealth hidden in its depths. The supervision and prohibitions being implemented are not merely administrative actions but steps aimed at preserving natural resources.

It should be noted that engaging in illegal fishing during the spawning season in Lake Sevan carries administrative and criminal responsibility.