Armenia raises Lake Sevan whitefish catch quota by 720 tonnes
The allowable commercial catch of whitefish in Lake Sevan, Armenia’s largest body of water, will rise by 720 tonnes in 2026 to 1,270 tonnes for the whole fishing season. The decision was adopted at the October 22 cabinet meeting. The quota for 2026 had previously been set at 550 tonnes.
According to the explanatory note, the 550-tonne quota was based on research carried out in 2025 by the Scientific Center of Zoology and Hydroecology. The research was part of a program to assess fish and crayfish stocks in Lake Sevan and its catchment basin.
The center’s study estimated the total whitefish stock in Lake Sevan at 4,511 tonnes as of July 2026, and the center proposed raising the catch quota by a further 720 tonnes.
BusinessDaily calculates that 1,270 tonnes is 28.2% of the total whitefish stock, and the new quota is 2.3 times the one set at the start of the year. According to the explanatory note, the decision will raise state budget revenue by about AMD 144 million (about $399 thousand) through natural resource use fees.
The draft was prepared by the Ministry of Environment. The decision amends government decision No. 120-N of February 5, 2026, and takes effect the day after its official publication. It is intended to regulate the use and sustainable management of Lake Sevan’s biological resources, with fishing carried out under use contracts signed with the authorized body.
