Sevan Lake endemic fishes endangered: expert
27.11.2013,
11:44
Endemic fish species at Sevan Lake are endangered, head of hydrobiology of Armenia’s institute of hydroecology and ichthyology Susanna Hakobyan said at a discussion on Sevan’s problems Monday.
YEREVAN, November 27. /ARKA/. Endemic fish species at Sevan Lake are endangered, head of hydrobiology of Armenia’s institute of hydroecology and ichthyology Susanna Hakobyan said at a discussion on Sevan’s problems Monday.
The greatest danger for these species, according to the expert, is rapidly breeding non typical fishes that have created serious competition to Armenian bystranka and morocos in particular.
Recently about 366,000 trout baby fishes were let into the lake, which will have a positive impact on ecosystem of the lake only if proper conditions are created for their development, Hakobyan said.
But construction of small hydro power plants on rivers flowing into the lake has negative impact on restoration of local fish populations, according to the expert.
Another threat may be the possible increase in abstraction from Sevan, Hakobyan said.
In 2012 the government had to apply to the parliament with an initiative to make a number of amendments to increase abstraction from Sevan for irrigation (from 170mln to 320mln cubic meters).
Illegal fishing that has increased several times over the last years is another factor endangering the fish populations in the lake, the expert said.
According to 2012 data, fish population in Sevan Lake dropped 3.5 times. –0--
