Due to the whitefish spawning period from December 15, 2022 to January 20, 2023, enhanced control measures will be carried out in Lake Sevan and throughout Armenia:
Today, an extended meeting was held at the Ministry of Environment headed by Minister Hakob Simidyan, Deputy Ministers Aram Meimaryan and Tigran Gabrielyan, representatives of the Sevan National Park, the RA Police, the Administration of Gegharkunik Region, the Inspection Body for Nature and Subsoil Protection, the Food Safety Inspection Body and the Yerevan Municipality to discuss the process of implementing joint activities and interaction programs carried out during the whitefish spawning period in Lake Sevan.
Recall that for 2022, the total rate of commercial whitefish catch was set at 600 tons, of which 554.86 tons (548604 kg) of whitefish were caught.
Joint activities carried out during the whitefish spawning period in Lake Sevan are planned to be carried out from December 1, 2022 to January 20, 2023 inclusive.
As part of joint control activities, representatives of departments will hold joint meetings with the heads of settlements adjacent to Lake Sevan, fishermen and citizens.
In this context, whitefish fishing equipment, hunting tools and temporary shelters for fishermen will be removed from the territory of the Sevan National Park.
All types of hunting and watercraft will be prohibited from entering Lake Sevan
Strict control will be established on all forest roads surrounding Lake Sevan,
Checkpoints will be set up at the exit of the main roads (Sevan-Yerevan traffic police checkpoint, Sevan-Dilijan tunnel, Sevan-Vardenis Chambaraka intersection, Martuni-Selim Pass, Geghamavan-Varser intersection).
A round-the-clock duty will be established on the territory of the Sevan National Park.
Within the framework of the events, inspections will be organized in the markets of Yerevan and the regions aimed at preventing the sale of whitefish of Lake Sevan. Inspections will also be carried out on Lake Sevan and other territories of the Sevan National Park.
Minister Hakob Simidyan noted the importance of effective implementation of all the points of the event, proper provision of their sequence and duration.
"Taking into account the experience of last year, this year we must correct all the omissions and implement all the points of the event in a more coordinated manner.
Our citizens, our compatriots engaged in fishing, should clearly realize that such events pursue one goal - to restore the ecosystem of Lake Sevan through the restoration of fish stocks, which proceeds from the interests of every citizen of the Republic of Armenia. I am going to take a direct part in the implementation of all the points of the event-from explanatory work to control," the minister said.