Foundation for Restoration of Sevan Trout Stocks and Development for Aquaculture has responded to EcoLur’s publication entitled “205.946 Kg of Fish Grown in Lake in Cage Nets - 192.311 Kg of Feed Filled into Lake in 2020”. The letter sent by the Foundation says, “
"There are some inaccuracies in the publication, so please refer to the letter we sent. Under the complex program, the maximum possible annual fish production volume was initially set at 50,000 tons, but so far we have applied for a production permit up to 2,000 tons based on the Environmental Impact Assessment. At the same time, it should be noted that the existing infrastructure to reach 2000 tons of fish production – young fish plant, cage net farm, equipment, etc. - are not enough and it is possible to have no more than 500 tons of fish per year by 2024.
You mention that antibiotics are used in the cage nets. That information is wrong: starting from 2019 the fish have not been given any medicine, including antibiotics. You mention that according to the report produced by Helmholtz Center for Environmental Research in Magdeburg, Germany, the most polluted part of Lake Sevan is the area of the cage net farm. It should be noted that the employees of the mentioned organization cooperated with us, nevertheless, such information was not mentioned by them.
For our part we would like to mention that RA Environment Minister Erik Grigoryan stated at a press conference dedicated to the Environment Day on June 5, 2019, referring to the report of the German Institute, which was submitted to the Ministry. “Phosphorus concentration in Lake Sevan is increasing from several different sources, including “Sevan trout”. We have a research, we are doing it at the moment, but the German institute has also conducted a study, and according to the report that they have submitted to us, the phosphorus concentrations in the area of cage nets of "Sevan Trout" are higher than in other areas.
"If the experts consider the phosphorus concentrations arising from the cage net farm to be problematic, we will make a decision on its removal," Erik Grigoryan said in his speech. As for the report, it is closed to the public, you should contact the Environment Ministry to get acquainted with it. Watch the Minister's speech on the cage net farm in the video starting from 38:17.
February 05, 2021 at 14:47