In the midst of Syria's prolonged civil war and the aftermath of the Daesh group's brutal "caliphate," another crisis silently unfolds, wreaking havoc on the country's freshwater ecosystems. Fishermen around Lake Assad, Syria's largest freshwater dam reservoir, lament the drastic decline in their catch, blaming it on a combination of environmental pressures and human activities.
Ismail Hilal, a 50-year-old fisherman, reflects on his life spent on the water, a livelihood that has sustained him since childhood. After 37 years of fishing, he now faces defeat as fish stocks diminish, water levels recede, and pollution worsens in the Euphrates River and its reservoir. He, like many others, has been forced to retire his nets, unable to make a living from fishing any longer.
The Euphrates River, which nourished ancient civilizations, courses through Turkey, Syria, and Iraq before emptying into the sea. However, its flow has been disrupted by upstream dams in Turkey. Coupled with the impacts of climate change, such as scorching heat and prolonged drought, the river's water levels have significantly decreased.
Lake Assad, spanning an area of 600 square kilometers, is the largest reservoir in the region. But it has experienced a four-meter drop in water level since last year, primarily attributed to a "downward spiral of drought and water shortages," according to the Dutch peace-building group PAX. The lack of water and increasing pollution have led to severe biodiversity loss along the lakes and rivers in Syria's north and east.
Fishermen who once thrived on abundant catches now barely achieve 5% of their previous hauls. The combination of low water levels, lack of rainfall, pollution, and overfishing has taken a toll on aquatic life in the region. Vast plumes of algae, a telltale sign of pollution, suffocate the water and kill aquatic organisms. Fishermen like Ali Shebli, who used to bring in 50 kilograms of fish daily, now struggle to catch even one or two kilograms, pushing families into dire economic situations.
The crisis reverberates through the local economy, affecting fishmongers and the supply of fresh fish. The once vibrant fish markets now offer significantly reduced catches, leaving customers wanting more but finding too little.
Amidst the chaos of war and its devastating impacts, Syria's freshwater ecosystems face an uncertain future. Addressing the environmental pressures and promoting sustainable practices will be crucial to restore the delicate balance of aquatic life in the region. As fishermen like Ismail Hilal and Ali Shebli are forced to abandon their traditional way of life, urgent action is needed to safeguard these precious water resources and preserve the vital link they represent between nature and livelihoods.