Armenian government approves regulations for whitefish catch in Lake Sevan
YEREVAN, June 18. /ARKA/. The Armenian government has approved today a set of regulations for whitefish catch for 2020 in the country's largest Lake Sevan.
Acting Minister of Environment Vahe Jilavyan said the decision was prompted by the volume of illegal capture of whitefish, arguably the lake’s most popular fish for consumption. He said the goal of the anti-poaching measure is to revive the alpine lake’s fish population.
He said according to the National Academy of Sciences, the lake's whitefish population stands now at 2,268 tons, of which 667 tons are earmarked for commercial catch. Of that volume 200 tons are provided for catching in 2020.
Vahe Jilavyan said only fish that weighs at least 500 grams can be captured by nets in the so-called large Sevan, at a distance of 500 meters from the shore to exclude the capture of fry.
He noted that in 2020, the capture season will be until October 1, and in December-January there will be a strict ban to ensure spawning.
He said also that commercial fishing boats will be allowed to enter the lake from special 17 points, indicated on the map, and only in the daytime.
The inspectors will record the time, when the boat enters the lake and returns, the fisherman’s data, their fishing tools and the amount of the catch. Jilavyan said all this data will be provided to the ministry for control.
Lake Sevan, the Caucasus’ largest high-altitude lake, with a surface area of about 1,200 square kilometers, provides Armenia with most of its fresh water. The lake is also an economic lifeline for local residents who depend on sales of its fish. -0-