Millions of pearl mullet fry return to Lake Van

Pearl mullets, an endemic species of Lake Van and the livelihood source for approximately 15,000 people, have completed their freshwater migration during the reproduction period. Inspections coordinated by the Provincial Directorate of Agriculture and Forestry, with the participation of gendarmerie, police, and municipal teams, continued uninterrupted to ensure the smooth completion of this migration process, which ended on July 15. Millions of fry, hatching from eggs, began returning to Lake Van after waiting for a while in the estuary areas where streams meet the lake to adapt.

Led by Fisheries and Aquatic Products Branch Manager Muhammet Demir, the efforts continued 24/7 to both guarantee the safe arrival of the fry to the lake and prevent illegal fishing. Teams worked actively in the field day and night, contributing to the preservation of the ecological balance. During this process, security measures were raised to the maximum level, especially in areas with high concentrations of fry, and strict monitoring was established against potential poaching raids.

During the process when pearl mullets migrate from the salty and soda waters of Lake Van to fresh waters for reproduction between April 15 and July 15, the Directorate started preparation work a month before the fishing ban began. In meetings with commission members, decisions for field implementation were finalized, and informational training sessions were held for gendarmerie, police, coast guard, municipal teams, and district personnel. Additionally, awareness activities were carried out for students at schools around Lake Van to instill environmental awareness in future generations.

In inspections this year, a zero-tolerance principle was adopted against illegal fishing, and administrative fines totaling 2 million 818 thousand TL were imposed on 147 individuals starting from April 15. As a result of the checks, 19 tons of dead pearl mullet, 7 rowboats, and 70 other fishing tools were seized, cutting off the financial and material resources of illegal fishing. These heavy penalties and seizures created a serious deterrent effect by intimidating poachers for the protection of nature.

The positive results of the protection efforts are clearly visible in the field; during inspections, it was observed that millions of pearl mullet fry were holding onto life by swimming along the Lake Van shore. As an indicator of this success, the average size of pearl mullets, which was 17-18 cm about 15-20 years ago, has reached 22-23 cm in measurements, marking a significant improvement in the species' development. To protect this species living only in the Lake Van basin, a strict inspection system against hunting, sales, and trade is maintained during the fishing ban period.