The 3-month hunting ban, which was implemented to protect the pearl mullet, an endemic species that lives only in Lake Van, has ended. Fishermen, who pulled their boats ashore for maintenance and repair, said 'Vira bismillah' and released their nets into the waters of Lake Van again after the ban was lifted. Stating that he has been fishing for 20 years, İbrahim Arslan, father of three children, said that his family makes a living by fishing for pearl mullet.
The new hunting season started with the end of the hunting ban applied between 15 April and 15 July, which coincided with the breeding period of the pearl mullet, the endemic species of Lake Van. In order to protect the pearl mullet that migrates to fresh waters during the breeding season, gendarmerie, police, coast guard, district municipal police and Agriculture and Forestry Directorate teams carried out intensive inspections on the lake, on land and from the air, in the region to prevent poaching during the ban. The pearl mullet, which lives in the salty and soda water of Lake Van, migrates to streams during the breeding season, swims against the current and tries to jump over the obstacles in front of it. This natural migration, followed with interest by thousands of people every year, also makes a significant contribution to regional tourism.
Fishermen, who beached their boats during the hunting ban, completed their maintenance and repair activities and prepared for the new season. With the end of the ban, the fishermen went to the lake in the early hours of the morning and after a long break, they brought their nets to the water again. Hoping that this year would be fruitful, the fishermen threw their nets into Lake Van after a 3-month break and said 'Vira Bismillah'.
Stating that he has been fishing for 20 years, İbrahim Arslan, father of three children, said that his family makes a living by fishing for pearl mullet. Arslan said, "I have been fishing for many years. I support my family by fishing. Today, the hunting ban ended. We maintained our boats during the 3-month ban period. With the end of the ban, we threw our nets into Lake Van. I hope we will have a fruitful season." he said.