Lake Van sees large schools of juvenile pearl kefal

Large schools of juvenile pearl kefal fish have been observed swimming in the coastal areas of Lake Van, specifically near the Tatvan district of Bitlis.

Every year during May and June, pearl kefal migrate to freshwater streams to spawn and lay their eggs. After completing their development in these freshwater environments, the young fish return to Lake Van, where they feed in dense schools along the shoreline.

Amateur diver and nature photographer Oktay Subaşı, who has been diving along the Tatvan coast for approximately one month to document the lake's underwater biodiversity, captured footage of these massive schools. Subaşı noted that the fish population observed this year appears to be more abundant compared to previous years.