The migration of pearl mullet from Lake Van to fresh waters continues

Pearl mullet, which are the source of livelihood for thousands of people in settlements along the lake's shore, migrate to fresh waters to lay their eggs between April 15 and July 15, their breeding season.

During this period, when fishing is prohibited, the pearl mullet overcome the obstacles they encounter by jumping.

Thousands of domestic and foreign tourists who come to the Erciş district of Van every year to watch the fish's struggle against the current witness this journey at the Pearl Mullet Nature Park.

Dr. Mustafa Akkuş, a faculty member at the Van Yüzüncü Yıl University Faculty of Fisheries, stated that thousands of pearl mullet migrate in schools every year between April and July to the fresh waters that flow into the lake.

Stating that this season passes in a festive atmosphere, Akkuş noted the following:

"The pearl mullet in Lake Van have now begun to enter the streams and move toward the upper reaches of the rivers. Pearl mullet do not enter the streams all at once. While transitioning between fresh water and salt water, they wait at the stream mouths for a certain period for physiological adaptation.

The pearl mullet, having completed their physiological adaptation process, have begun to move toward the upper reaches of the streams. After carrying out their reproduction in the streams, the pearl mullet return to their homeland, Lake Van. We hope that the breeding season will be successful. Because for the last 4 years, the breeding season had not gone well due to the decrease in water flow rates."

News Source: AA

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