Armenia increases whitefish catch quota in Lake Sevan

ArmInfo.On June 26, the Government of Armenia established the volumes and schedule for industrial catch  of fish and crayfish in Lake Sevan in 2025, along with the necessary conditions and regulations for organizing such fishing activities.  As noted in the explanatory note to the document, according to research conducted by the Scientific Center of Zoology and Hydroecology, the total whitefish stock in Lake Sevan in November  2024 was  1,293.7 tons, with a commercial stock of 944.4 tons.

Considering that the commercial stock of whitefish has increased by  approximately 430 tons compared to 2023 (513 tons), the scientific  center proposed setting the commercial catch of whitefish in 2025 at  314 tons, which is 30% of the total commercial stock. However, due to  the trend of decreasing the total stock of whitefish, the period of  commercial catch is set until June 1. During this period, 309.6 tons  of fish were actually caught.

To assess the effectiveness of the spawning process and the rate of  replenishment of total fish stocks in the lake in the spring of 2025,  an additional survey was conducted from March 17 to 21. According to  the data obtained, the total stock of whitefish in the lake was  2814.4 tons, with a commercial stock of 613.4 tons.  This suggests  that while the situation with the population remains unstable, here  is a positive trend towards restoration. Based on this information,  the scientific center proposed to increase the industrial catch in  2025 by another 189 tons (about 30%). The deadline for the  implementation of this catch is set until November 20 - the beginning  of the pre-spawning phase of fish. In order to assess the state of  fish stock replenishment , including commercial ones, in Lake Sevan,  the Scientific Center will conduct a survey in 2025. In July, further  surveys of fish stocks will be conducted, with the data serving as a  basis for discussing the issue of establishing quotas for the autumn  hunting season.