Several days ago in Sipanik village of Ararat RA Premier Tigran Sargsyan was participating in the installation of a water measurement device in one of the fisheries of the village. Let us remember that Tigran Sargsyan has announced that the government will start its inspections and installation of water measurement devices in large fisheries by trying to move them in a legal field so that 22 fisheries will receive licenses to export their fish to Russia. “Dozens of communities are deprived of irrigation water because water resources are not rationally used. There are nearly 3500 damps, 2000 of which are illegal and the state doesn’t properly supervise the use of water. This issue relates to fisheries,” mentioned Sargsyan in Sipanik. Many of fish producers were mostly encouraged by the “noble” attitude of the Premier, according to which the fish producer, may install a water device from a company, which he prefers. He may even import those from abroad. And the fisheries should have water devices within the coming month. “If we cooperate we will receive the help of the government and we cannot develop without cooperation. The government sees that we are busy and we have issues. That’s why it helps us,” told us the chairman of the association of fish producers Artur Atoyan. To the question whether the “cooperation” implies pressuring the small businesses by making them install water measurement devices Atoyan responded, “Now Mr. Prime Minister has suggested a few versions of water measuring devices. So we will install the ones, which we prefer. If these people are supporting us we shall cooperate with them as well.” Atoyan also added the fish producers were given an opportunity to take credits without interest rates for a year. When we tried to find out the names of the 22 fisheries, which will be granted to export fish to Russia, Atoyan mentioned that the names can be publicized only after those 22 fisheries are informed about the results. Let us recall that the “shows” in the fishery sector have started last spring, when the Armenian fish breeders expressed their discontent and complaints. At that time one of the demands of the government related to the change of the importance of lands. Based on the land code the fish breeders were to change the meaning of the lands allocated for fishery. Some lands reach legendary prices. One square meter was equivalent to the price of an apartment in the center of Yerevan. The second demand to the fish breeders was the installation of the water measurement devices. “The government almost self-confesses that it is not able to monitor this sector either and many covert holes were dug, which threatens the underwater basis of Ararat valley,” says NA MP from the Heritage faction Stepan Safaryan. By the way, by the installation of certain water devices the government suggests reducing the role of human labor. “The government almost confesses that its statesmen are corrupt and may cut deals with the fish breeders and show completely different results. How else can you name this government if not impotent, incapable of preventing the bribing of its members,” mentions Safaryan. The next two demands submitted to the fish producers were the issues of draining of fisheries and the terms of use of water use. According to the demands brought by the government, immense amount of money is needed and the timeframe of water use was defined 3 years. Nonetheless, these key points were presented during the November 18 meeting with participation of government members, political parties and fish breeders. But no solution was found. The small and medium fish breeders are encountering the same issues. “The monopolization of this sector is inevitable. The same thing took place in the poultry sector, the famous story of eggs. People were alerting and screaming that the small businesses are being suffocated in the background of anti-competition disagreements,” mentions Safaryan. The latter reminds of the process in the fishery sector back in the years, which had ceased because of unknown reasons. However, according to the MP the inventory process should continue. And he had already raised this issue. According to Safaryan the last demands of the government will cause fantastic consequences. Indeed the main consequence would be the monopolization of the sector. Safaryan mentions that the suggestions of the fish breeders are quite rational. According to the latter simply drainage system must be used. They are also suggesting using shunt circuit instead of water measurement devices. By the way, last year the Heritage party has applied to the NA Standing Committee on Agriculture, Nature Protections regarding the legislative reforms in the fishery sector. They suggested that parliamentary hearings must be held. Nevertheless, soon the fish breeders will join the wave of protests of textile importers from Turkey and the street traders. Yesterday when speaking to us many of the fish sellers of “Gum” market of Yerevan told us that after the installation of water measurement devices the fish price will increase. If currently the price of trout is 2000 AMD per kilo, starlet is 2500 and brook trout is 4000 after some time later those prices will only be good memories. According to them, even now the fish sale rates are really low. According to one of the fish breeders they monthly pay 200.000 AMD for the rent, pay various taxes. “We are failing in our business. It is senseless to install water devices. The fish breeders don’t care. They will raise the prices and sell to us at high prices. Here people are suffering,” said one of the traders.
