Pearl mullet fry started to return to Lake Van

The young of the pearl mullets, which migrate from Lake Van to the rivers during the breeding period between April and July every year, started to reach the cool waters of Lake Van again after the growth process.

The new generation of pearl mullets, which are the endemic fish species of Lake Van and make a arduous migration to fresh waters to breed every year, have successfully completed the first phase of their growth journey. Millions of baby pearl mullet, which hatched from eggs and continued their development in fresh waters, completed their migration marathon and met the blue waters of Lake Van.

Van Yüzüncü Yıl University (Van YYÜ) Faculty of Fisheries Assoc. Dr. Faculty Member Mustafa Akkuş stated that Lake Van, with its surface area of ​​3 thousand 712 square kilometers, is the largest lake in the country and contains the largest fish stock in its inland waters.

Akkuş said, "Pearl mullet is a very special species because although it survives in the salty and soda waters of Lake Van, it carries out breeding migration in flocks towards the streams flowing into Lake Van between April and July, which is the breeding season. Poaching in the breeding migration and the effect of drought in recent years have posed a very serious problem. This is one of the main factors that threaten the continuity of the stock. However, the flow rates of the streams in the breeding period of 2026." "In addition to the flow rates of the rivers, the effective protection efforts carried out by the Van Provincial Gendarmerie Command ensured a successful breeding season," he said.

Assoc. Prof. stated that one of the biggest indicators of the success of the breeding period is that it shows itself in the ports in these months. Dr. Akkuş said:

"After many years, we see that all the ports on the edge of Lake Van are literally overflowing with young pearl mullet. The port of Amik village, which is right behind us, is now filled to the brim with fry. When you go to the shore of Lake Van, we witness flocks of 300-500 meter long fry, especially in the evening. Each fish here is actually the work of the gendarmerie. Each fish here means bread on the table of the fishermen in the coming years. It means work and food for the children here. We hope "Protection efforts will be carried out effectively in the coming years, and we will see this view, which we have encountered years later, every year in the ports around Lake Van."