Van Lake Pearl Roach

Van Gölü İnci Kefali is an endemic fish species found naturally only in the Van Gölü basin. This species, scientifically named Alburnus tarichi, belongs to the Cyprinidae family and has been registered with a "Geographical Indication" by the Turkish Patent and Trademark Office.

Van Gölü İnci Kefali is a fish with a fusiform slender and elongated body, a scaleless head, and a body covered with small cycloid scales. Its coloration is grayish-green on the back and silvery-white on the sides and belly. It can live up to seven years and feeds on planktonic organisms. Since it cannot spawn in the lake itself, it migrates into the rivers flowing into Van Gölü between April and July.

• Endemic status
• Adaptation to saline and soda lake water
• Migration to rivers during spawning season
• Fin morphology, scaled body structure, and number of vertebrae (40–41)
• Possesses one of the highest known osmotic stress tolerance levels (550 mOsm/kg)

• Body length is approximately 4.6–5.4 times the head height
• Number of scales: 60–90
• Number of gill rakers: 14–27

^{İnci Kefali} (Türk Patenti)

Van Gölü İnci Kefali is caught exclusively in the Van Gölü basin using extended nets. Fishing activities are conducted in accordance with Law No. 1380 on Aquatic Products and related regulations. Fishing is prohibited between 15 April and 15 July.

• During summer months, extended nets are positioned near the surface to target fish feeding at a depth of 20 meters at night.
• During winter months, when the thermal layer dissipates, nets are placed on the lake bottom.
• The caught fish are consumed fresh, dried, or fried.

• Water: 72.40% – 74.63%
• Fat: 1.00% – 3.00%
• Protein: 16.70% – 20.50%
• pH: 6.39 – 6.60

• 16:0: 5.69 – 13.03
• 18:2 (n-6): 9.02 – 24.61
• 22:6 (n-3): 5.74 – 18.03

• Calcium: 46.32 – 104.61
• Iron: 0.17 – 6.019
• Magnesium: 5.144 – 7.834

^{Van Gölü İnci Kefali} (AA)

Van Gölü İnci Kefali can be caught only within the Van Gölü Basin. The geographical boundary encompasses the lake’s shoreline and all freshwater sources flowing into it. The fish’s exclusive ability to spawn in this area, along with its adaptation process and physiological traits, establishes a direct link between the product and its geographical origin.