YEREVAN. – No legal permission has been given to catch any fish from Lake Sevan since 2005; that is, all whitefish have been illegally caught from Lake Sevan until now. Acting minister of environment Vahe Jilavyan mentioned this Wednesday during a meeting with journalists.

"By the decision of the government, we have already launched this year's industrial fishing; we have allowed 200 tons. We already have about 150 applications from all over the shores of [Lake] Sevan. Today the contracts will already be signed, the quantities will be approved, after which there will be a severe restriction for illegal fishing. Only fishing for whitefish has been allowed.

The sources are very sufficient; according to experts, 200 tons is a very small number. The [fishing] permit is valid until October 1, after which new permits may be issued again," Jilavyan said.