WHITEFISH POPULATION IN ARMENIA’S SEVAN REDUCES 40% IN 2007

ARKA
April 3, 2008

YEREVAN, April 3. /ARKA/. Whitefish (sig) population totaled 600 tons
in Armenia’s Sevan Lake by the end of 2007, which is a 40% reduction
as compared with 2006, the Chief of Department for biological resources
of Armenian Environmental Ministry Karen Chenterechian said.

In 2006, whitefish population was 1,000 tons, whereas in 1998 it was
1,800 tons, he reported. The greatest population of whitefish was
recorded in 1970-1990ies – about 2,000 tons. Chenterechian also said
that the population reduced due to decreasing volume of plankton,
wrong fishing management and improper fishing instruments.

Sevan holds over 90% of the fish reserves of Armenia and particular
importance should be attached to maintain stable quantity of the
population in the lake, he said. Koghak, crucian carp, ishkhan
also inhabit in Sevan, yet the Ministry has not provided any exact
monitoring data on the quantity.