80% of fisheries to close in case of licensing

Fish producers are facing the problem of licensing, Chairman of the Association of Armenian Fish Producers and Exporters Arthur Atoyan said at a meeting with reporters today. According to him, the government is developing a licensing draft, under which fish producers shall take several measures worth 15 million drams and over, such as creating the necessary production conditions, ensuring food safety and a water saving regime so as to be allowed to engage in fish production.

They expressed concerns that producers are not participating in the draft’s discussions.

Atoyan said that one day fish producers may wake up and learn that the licensing project was already introduced and they will have no time to solve their problems and many fisheries will face shocks.

‘They should first familiarize us with the standards and only then impose them. Perhaps we will find solutions through discussions,” Atoyan said.

The association chairman believes that 80% of fisheries will close after the licensing process.