The licensed system of fishery in Lake Sevan has undermined the stocks of almost all fish species, Bardukh Gabrielyan, Head of the Scientific Center of Zoology and Hydroecology, National Academy of Sciences of Armenia, said at a press conference on March 10.
He said that the given system has proved to be inconsistent and measures are currently being taken to revise it. Gabrielyan added that the relevant debates were held at the Commission on Lake Sevan Issues, Ministry of Nature Protection and the Government.
He pointed out the need to create alternative programs, for instance, to set up cooperatives of fishermen or introduce a system of monthly wages for the local fishermen. These wages should exceed the fishermen's current average monthly income. Experts think this may make them quit illegal fishery.
As regards the fish stocks in the Sevan, Gabrielyan takes a positive view of the project on replenishment of the ishkhan (Armenian trout) stock in the Sevan and development of fish breeding. The project envisages creation of an incubator, juvenile fish facilities and a plant for fish processing.
The expert noted that a relevant monitoring will help avoid pollution of the lake.
By the data as of Dec 2015, the whitefish stock in the Sevan amounted to 400-450 tons. As regards the ishkhan stock in the Sevan, it remains unchanged (1-2 tons) despite the project on replenishment of the stock and the annual release of juvenile fish into the lake.