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The launch of the “EU for Sevan’s Biodiversity: Improving the Restoration of Lake Sevan’s Ecosystem” project was announced on 22 October during COP17 in Yerevan. The project will be fully funded by the European Union.
Armenian Deputy Environment Minister Aram Meymaryan outlined the project in an interview with Armenpress.
What activities and measures will be carried out under this project, which, as announced, will run until 2029?
One of the project’s main objectives is to improve the management of Sevan National Park. This involves strengthening its overall capacity, including tourism opportunities, improving machinery and equipment, and transferring knowledge.
The next important component is restoring the ecosystem around Lake Sevan and its biodiversity. Various forms of support are envisaged, from regulating commercial whitefish fishing and restoring trout stocks to analysing the forest surrounding Lake Sevan to make it more resilient to climate change and emerging challenges.
Of course, the project’s budget will not be sufficient to resolve these problems fully, or even partially. However, knowledge transfer and cooperation are essential prerequisites for enabling the Government to target its funding more effectively and make progress in this area.
Does the project involve advisory measures alone, or practical work as well?
Regulating commercial whitefish fishing in Lake Sevan requires both advice and the introduction of a clear, specific mechanism. This should help organise commercial fishing more effectively, ensuring that fishing never has to stop while maintaining safe whitefish stock levels and protecting biodiversity.
Another important issue is restoring Sevan trout stocks. Under this project, we need to analyse how we can provide targeted support for the activities of the institution working to restore this fish. This could involve installing solar panels to reduce electricity costs, for example. It might also involve another measure aimed at restoring trout stocks.
I would like to point out that the greatest contribution to these efforts comes from Armenian citizens through their taxes. The Government allocates around AMD400 million annually to restoring Sevan trout stocks alone.
We are pleased to report that estimated trout stocks in Lake Sevan stood at 130 tonnes in 2025 and have already reached 370 tonnes this year. This is unprecedented in recent decades. Previously, trout stocks in Sevan were negligible, amounting to no more than 1–5 tonnes. Even that was only an approximate estimate using scientific methods.
Could commercial trout fishing also become possible in Lake Sevan in the foreseeable future?
That is a wonderful prospect you suggest. In any case, it is encouraging that two endemic trout varieties—gegharkuni and summer trout—have survived in Sevan. Two other varieties are considered extinct, but we are not giving up and are working to restore them.
In this respect, COP17 is extremely useful for meeting and establishing ties with important partners working to find and restore species considered extinct.
What is the situation with whitefish?
There is a positive trend in whitefish stocks too. As of July 2026, the lake’s estimated whitefish stocks stood at approximately 4,511 tonnes.
A commercial fishing quota of around 1,270 tonnes has been allocated this year, also unprecedented in the period since Armenia gained independence. I want to stress that we are talking about fish stocks that have reached commercially harvestable size.
We have a substantial whitefish breeding population, and considerable work is also being done during the spawning season to safeguard stocks.
Of course, we also face problems that we must raise and work to resolve. Projects like this help develop and implement specific, targeted solutions.
Incidentally, fishermen from Sevan say they have recently been catching trout frequently, something that previously happened in their grandfathers’ time.
What will the total funding be for the project presented today?
Approximately €1.5 million, provided by the European Union.
It should also be noted that the Armenian Government allocates substantial sums every year to Lake Sevan’s management and development, and to conserving and increasing whitefish and trout stocks. Around US$1 million is invested annually in restoring trout stocks.
What concerns and challenges would you like to highlight in this area?
There are many problems, but also considerable achievements. Armenia has adopted a positive and effective approach to environmental development. Our actions also aim to add value to nature.
When our citizens hear about the many problems, they should know that we are aware of them, thinking about them and working to address them.
I believe that in the coming years, we will use all the knowledge gained through COP17 to tackle the challenges facing our natural environment with better, more advanced methods.