“I do not know anyone who can currently export fish and fish products from Armenia to Europe,” a fish farmer participating in a protest outside the government building told reporters.

“No one knows how to do it, and neither do they (the authorities). Producers are facing extremely serious problems. Whenever the authorities see that people are about to reach a breaking point, they come up with something, make statements, and try to calm the situation down. For three months, they themselves have not known what they are doing. They do not know what to do — not in a week, not in a year,” he said.

According to him, the pressure on the sector began with water restrictions.

“With their simplistic thinking, they are trying to control rainwater. Last year, I paid 2 million drams in taxes for rainwater. This is not groundwater; rainwater has been flowing for millions of years. First, they reduced it by 30%, now by 40%, destroying the market. It is like doing gymnastics for 30 years and then being sent to a weightlifting competition,” the protester said.

“They provide neither time nor support. We do not trust Europe either; subsidies exist only on paper. Nobody takes us into account, nobody asks for our opinion, nobody provides assistance. And it is not Europe that should decide for us,” he said.

The protester explained that ishkhan (Armenian trout) requires 3.5 years, while sturgeon requires 10 years from the moment eggs are laid until the fish reaches the market.

He also noted that fish farms had been producing more than 20,000 tons in order to meet government requirements, but that the authorities are now abruptly changing those requirements.

“We can stay here for a month, we will bring tents. Like in Europe, we will bring vests and deliver trucks full of fish. The situation is extremely difficult. The decline has been continuing for three months,” the protester said.

He also questioned the authorities’ claims that flowers and fruits are being exported to Europe.