Winter Ishkhan: Red Data Book of Armenia

Salmons — Salmonidae

Status. An extinct endemic, generative lacustrine subspecies of the Sevan trout or ishkhan. Listed in the Red Data Book of the former USSR. According to IUCN criteria categorized as Extinct EX.

Distribution in Armenia. Lived only in the Lake Sevan and was not recorded outside of Armenia.

Habitats. Inhabited the shallow areas of the Lesser and Great Sevan.

Biological traits. Maturity was reached at 3–5 years. Spawning occurred at the depths 6–8 m on coarse breakstone grounds from November to March. Fed mainly on hammarids, mollusks or larvae of aquatic insects; adults also consumed small fry.

Population size and its trends. Before the 1970s, it was an abundant fish of commercial importance with the annual harvest rates up to 200–250 tonnes. The last reliable catch took place in 1982 near the north–eastern shoreline of the Great Sevan.

Major threats. Poaching and dryout of spawning grounds caused by the man–made lowering of lake water level were the principal factors of extinction. Measures of artificial breeding were taken in the 1970s and 1980s, but ceased because of the lack of wild founders.

Conservation measures. Catch prohibited since 1978. Protected in Sevan National Park.