Seizure of 470 kg of illegally caught Whitefish from Lake Sevan prevented- EPMIB

During the whitefish spawning period in Lake Sevan, staff from the Environmental Protection and Mining Inspection Body, the Ministry of Internal Affairs’ Water Patrol Service, and the Ministry of Environment's Eco-Patrol Service conducted joint round-the-clock intensified inspections.

During nighttime inspections near the Sevan shore in the village of Chambarak, Gegharkunik Province, cases of illegal fishing were recorded.

On January 8, at around 20:20, a fishing boat was spotted leaving the shore of Lake Sevan. Residents of the village of Sevan, were caught illegally fishing 135 whitefish weighing 54 kg during the fishing ban period.

The boat and fish were confiscated, and the violators were taken to the police department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

On January 9, at around 02:15, in the coastal area of the village of Jil, poachers, spotting inspectors from a distance, abandoned 410 kg of illegally caught whitefish and fled.

Search operations are ongoing to identify and apprehend the poachers.