Drop in the level of Lake Sevan may boost reproduction of trash fish

• Thursday, August 30, 18:49

A further drop in the level of Lake Sevan may boost the reproduction of trash fish, like crucian, stone moroco and riffle minnow, Director of the Hydroecology and Ichthyology Institute of the National Academy of Sciences of Armenia Bardukh Gabrielyan said in an interview with ArmInfo.

"The current drop is insignificant and will have no effect, but if the level continues to drop, the lake will be affected," the expert said.

He said that if the authorities continue releasing a lot of water from the lake, the quality of its water may deteriorate, boosting the reproduction of trash fish. "But if we raise the level, we will be able to breed sig (sisco) and ishkhan (Sevan trout)," Gabrielyan said.

June 22 the Parliament approved a bill allowing the release of additional 150mln c m of water from Lake Sevan for irrigation purposes. Environmentalists say that the Parliament did not consult with any of them before adopting the bill, so, its decision is contrary to the Aarhus Convention.