Pear mullets having difficult migration periods due to drought in Türkiye’s Van

VAN, TÜRKIYE - JUN 7: Decrease in the water levels of rivers due to the recent drought has made it difficult for pearl mullets, which migrate from Lake Van to freshwater to lay their eggs in Türkiye's eastern province of Van.Pearl mullets' annual migration to freshwater by pearl mullets between April 15th and July 15th to ensure their population's survival, is adversely impacted by this situation. The fish are unable to reach the upper sections of the streams due to reduced water levels, thereby hindering a successful breeding season.Underwater documentary producer and cinematographer Tahsin Ceylan told Anadolu that “When the salinity of Lake Van reached 0.019%, the fish lost their ability to reproduce and died in the lake. Therefore, they require freshwater every spring.”Ceylan said that if pearl mullets fails to breed, they cannot multiply, and if this continues, they will become extinct."The reason behind this is humans. They failed to ensure the flow of water to this area for a month, leading to the death of so many organisms," hea added.(Footage by Tahsin Ceylan /Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)