The hunting ban period for pearl mullet, an endemic species that can live in Lake Van, the world's largest sodic lake, begins.
All preparations have been completed for the 2023 hunting ban for the pearl mullet, which is one of the important values of the Van Lake Basin and swims against the stream and flocks to the streams from time to time as if it were flying. The fishermen drew their nets for the last time for pearl mullets, which provide a livelihood for approximately 15,000 people in the Van Lake Basin. Fishermen who dock their boats at the marina will not be able to catch pearl mullet in Lake Van for 90 days. During this time, pearl mullets will come out of the salty and sodic waters of the lake and flock to the streams flowing into the lake in order to make their migration journey to breed. This difficult migration journey also contributes to the tourism of the region. In this context, the "Pearl Mullet Festival" is held every year in Erciş Fish Dam, where the flight of fish can be watched.
“We observed good improvements in fish quantity and size”
Speaking to the İHA reporter, Van Agriculture and Forestry Provincial Director İbrahim Görentaş stated that the hunting ban will begin as of April 15. Stating that they have taken all the measures regarding the hunting ban until July 15, the Provincial Director Görentaş said, “Instructions regarding all institutions were passed by holding meetings under the presidency of our Governor's Office and all the things to be done were determined. In addition, we will provide the vehicles we rent and deliver them to the gendarmerie, security and municipal police. Our staff do the necessary training in the field. As a result of these studies, we have observed good developments in the amount and size of fish as a result of the studies we have done in previous years. Hopefully, these measures will continue to increase our efforts."
“We will protect the fish together” Stating that it is very important to be conscious against poaching, Görentaş said, “As the people of Van, we must protect the fish together. In this context, in cooperation with our Provincial Directorate of National Education, the promotional activities of the pearl mullet hunting ban that we have done for students in schools will continue. There was a really good consciousness among citizens at the point of not eating or hunting the fish. Hopefully, this consciousness will continue to increase."