700,000 Juvenile Carp Released into Eight Ponds in Van

October 2, 2026 · sondakika.com

As part of fish stocking efforts in Van, 700,000 juvenile carp were released into 8 ponds, with the province's aquaculture sector contributing an annual $25 million to the local economy.

Fish Stocking for Van Ponds

As part of the 'Stocking of Water Resources Project' carried out by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, 700,000 juvenile carp, brought from Elazığ, were released into 8 ponds in the Çaldıran, Saray, Özalp, and İpekyolu districts of Van. Local officials and producers participated in the program held at Emek Pond in Emek Neighborhood, Özalp district. Van Provincial Director of Agriculture and Forestry, Turgay Şişman, made statements regarding the work:

"This year, approximately 700,000 juvenile carp were released into 8 ponds in different districts of Van. In the last 9 years, a total of 5.5 million juvenile carp have been released into various water resources in Van. Our aim with these stocking efforts is to support the stocks in our water resources, increase our aquaculture potential, and strengthen the livelihoods of our local people. We will continue these efforts with determination in the coming period."

New Targets in Trout Farming

According to data from the Van Provincial Directorate of Agriculture and Forestry, aquaculture activities in the province are carried out under three main headings: farming, fishing, and stocking. Provincial Director Turgay Şişman reported that there are 37 aquaculture facilities in the province with a total capacity of 3,732 tons, producing approximately 2,500 tons of trout annually. Şişman conveyed the sector's goals with the following words:

"Within this scope, we carry out our aquaculture activities in our province under three main headings: farming, fishing, and stocking. There are a total of 37 aquaculture facilities in our province. The total capacity of these facilities is 3,732 tons, and approximately 2,500 tons of trout are produced each year. In addition, there are 10 hatcheries in our province. The total juvenile trout capacity of these hatcheries is 50 million per year. With new facilities under construction in our province, our juvenile trout and trout egg production capacity will reach approximately 550 million per year."

Pearl Mullet Fishing Continues

Van Provincial Director of Agriculture and Forestry, Turgay Şişman, also shared details about fishing activities in the province, drawing attention to the size of the fishing fleet in the Van Lake basin. Şişman stated that a total of 80 fishing boats are operating, 77 in Van Lake and 3 in Erçek Lake, and expressed the production capacity in the lakes as follows:

"With these fishing boats, between 7,000 and 7,500 tons of Pearl Mullet are caught annually. Through the 'Stocking of Water Resources Project', we aim to add ecological and economic value to dams, lakes, ponds, and other suitable water resources. This year, approximately 700,000 juvenile carp were released into 8 ponds in different districts of Van. In the last 9 years, a total of 5.5 million juvenile carp have been released into various water resources in Van. Our aim with these stocking efforts is to support the stocks in our water resources, increase our aquaculture potential, and strengthen the livelihoods of our local people. We will continue these efforts with determination in the coming period."

Million-Dollar Contribution to Regional Economy

According to economic indicators shared by the Van Provincial Directorate of Agriculture and Forestry, the aquaculture sector directly contributes to rural development. The annual contribution of farming, commercial fishing, and stocking activities carried out throughout the province to the local economy has reached approximately $25 million. Officials stated that similar projects will continue uninterrupted in the coming periods to ensure the sustainable management of water resources and the protection of fish populations.

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