Temporary Ban on Exporting Sig Fish Eggs Approved

A temporary ban on the export of sig fish eggs from the Republic of Armenia will be imposed for six months. This was announced by the Minister of Environment of Armenia, Hambardzum Matevosyan, on his Facebook page.

“The government has approved the draft decision on the temporary ban on the export of sig fish eggs from the territory of the Republic of Armenia, developed by the Ministry of Environment, during today’s session. As a result of the regulation of sig fish industrial fishing in Lake Sevan, it has been observed that the stable biomass of sig fish in 2023 is 600 tons, in 2024 it is 679 tons, and in 2025 it is projected to reach 1123 tons. However, the growth trend of sig fish biomass in recent years still does not ensure the natural growth and optimal population of this wild fish species in the lake (according to certain scientific data, the total stock should be up to 10,000 tons, with industrial catch around 2,000 tons or more).

Ensuring natural reproduction is one of the important conditions for securing stable industrial fishing of sig fish in Lake Sevan. Recent experiences have shown that when natural reproduction is ensured, a stable industrial quantity is maintained. To this end, a comprehensive set of strict measures aimed at preventing illegal fishing during the fishing ban is conducted annually from the end of November to February of the following year.

This legal act intends to establish a ban on the export of sig fish eggs from the territory of the Republic of Armenia to prevent potential negative impacts of exporting sig fish eggs, which have a high value in the international market, as well as to avoid possible adverse consequences stemming from human-induced negative impacts and the formed consumer attitude towards biological resources. This is necessary for the conservation of high-value commercially important fish species and the assurance of their natural reproduction,” wrote the minister.