Government tightens control over crayfish catching
07.09.2017,
14:12
Citing the findings of a study, indicating a dramatic drop in the population of crayfish in Armenia’s largest lake of Sevan and other water basins, prime minister Karen Karapetyan told the nature protection ministry today to stop extending the permits issued earlier for catching crayfish, giving it also two months to develop and submit to the government proposals to improve the situation.
YEREVAN, September 7. /ARKA/. Citing the findings of a study, indicating a dramatic drop in the population of crayfish in Armenia’s largest lake of Sevan and other water basins, prime minister Karen Karapetyan told the nature protection ministry today to stop extending the permits issued earlier for catching crayfish, giving it also two months to develop and submit to the government proposals to improve the situation.
According to the prime minister, this situation is caused by inadequate regulation of the catching process, imperfection of the procedures for issuing catch permits and insufficient control, as well as the use of inadequate nets.
"I instruct the head of the inspection body of the nature protection ministry to tighten control over the catch of crayfish, periodically submit information on the revealed violations and what is done to punish the offenders," the premier added.
In May this year, the government had imposed a temporary ban on catching crayfish. This year the nature protection ministry has already issued permits for catching up to 3,000 tons of crayfish, including 1,100 tons from Lake Sevan. In 2016, the quota was set at 3,600 tons.
According to the Customs Service, the export of crayfish in 2016 dropped to 1,844.3 tons (a decrease of 47.6% from the previous year). The customs value was estimated at $788,300. -0-
According to the prime minister, this situation is caused by inadequate regulation of the catching process, imperfection of the procedures for issuing catch permits and insufficient control, as well as the use of inadequate nets.
"I instruct the head of the inspection body of the nature protection ministry to tighten control over the catch of crayfish, periodically submit information on the revealed violations and what is done to punish the offenders," the premier added.
In May this year, the government had imposed a temporary ban on catching crayfish. This year the nature protection ministry has already issued permits for catching up to 3,000 tons of crayfish, including 1,100 tons from Lake Sevan. In 2016, the quota was set at 3,600 tons.
According to the Customs Service, the export of crayfish in 2016 dropped to 1,844.3 tons (a decrease of 47.6% from the previous year). The customs value was estimated at $788,300. -0-
