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Ice-cold rivers are flowing under historical bridges, through verdant mountains. Their destination is
the blue waters of Lake Van. Like a rebel, a fish is trying to make its way against the tide.
It is trying to overcome the flow and reach the source of the river with a heavy heart.
And it succeeds. This rebellious fish is called "pearl mullet", also known as the "Van Fish".
The only place in the world where the pearl mullet can be found is Lake Van. And the only type of fish that can be found in Lake Van is the pearl mullet.
The pearl mullet shines like a pearl in Lake Van, taking its beauty from solitude.
Although the pearl mullet gives hope to the people of Van, unconscious and incorrect methods of fishing are threatening to take away that bit of hope.
Until 10 years ago from today, there were no legal regulations or restrictions on fishing in Lake Van.
According to the fisherman, unconscious fishing was even taking place during spawning season, as nobody was complying with the fishing ban.
As soon as the pearl mullet would reach the rivers, villagers would catch them with
buckets, nets and sometimes even plastic bags and prevent them from leaving their eggs.
According to a 1996 research, 90% of all fishing in Lake Van was done illicitly at the time.
This meant that during June when the spawning season started and the fishing ban should be in effect
the pearl mullet were caught and prevented from leaving their eggs.
Mustafa Sarı conducted research on the potential extinction of the pearl mullet and
tried to warn the lawful authorities for the necessary measures to be taken.
15 tons of fish were caught in Lake Van where the upper limit
was supposed to be 8 tons and nobody was doing anything about it.
During those critical times when the state was concentrated
on security issues, Mustafa Sarı decided to approach the public instead.
He traveled from village to village with his own car,
trying to explain to the villagers that the pearl mullet was facing extinction.
We worked very hard to set up some legal regulations.
The fishing bans were implemented at different times of the year. So firstly, we amalgamated the dates.
First, we moved the start of the fishing ban back to May 10th, then to April 15th.
The authorities slowly started to perform legal actions against illicit fishing during spawning season.
The gendarmerie got involved.
For the first time ever in Turkey, the gendarmerie donated a boat for the supervision of fishing in the lake.
Currently, we are standing at a very good point after dedicating 17 years to this project.
We are not very accustomed to this type of news in Turkey. We hear that
some species is facing the danger of extinction. And then sometime later, we hear that it in fact did go extinct.
We do not have many stories about a species being saved from extinction.
Especially if that species is serving someone's economic interest.
We changed that ill fate with the pearl mullet.
In 1996, the financial turnover of fishing in Lake Van was 3.5 million USD.
However, after the implementation of proper methods,
it now amounts to 10 million USD.
The income of fishermen tripled,
while the average size of a pearl mullet increased from 16.5 to 20 cm.
After the implementation of new policies and methods, the number of active legal fishing boats
besides spawning season increased from 100 to 160.
The number of fishing boats insisting on fishing illicitly during spawning season decreased from 92 to 40.
The pearl mullet is saved from extinction for now.
And people in various cities of Turkey started to consume Van Fish.
Just like the pearl mullet, Mustafa Sarı tried to make his way against the current.
And again, just like the pearl mullet, he never gave up
during his struggle. He overcame obstacles and kept walking.
In order to save a fish species and raise awareness among fishermen, he never gave up on his ideals.
He dedicated himself to his struggle and made a difference
in the lives of thousands of people and also in the heart of the nature.