Urgent: Fishermen Abandon Lake Qarun as Pollution Surges

UPDATE: Fishermen in Fayoum, Egypt, are abandoning their livelihoods as pollution levels at Lake Qarun soar, forcing boats to remain docked and restaurants to close. The crisis is unfolding in the village of Shakshouk, just 80 kilometers southwest of Cairo, where the once-abundant fishing grounds are now overrun with untreated sewage and foul odors.

Local fishermen report that the lake’s condition has worsened significantly, with one fisherman stating, “The lake’s smell has become very bad, especially in the summer. The smell is unbearable because of pollution.” This stark reality contrasts sharply with recent government claims celebrating the return of migratory flamingos to the lake as a sign of ecological recovery.

While stunning images of flamingos highlight a superficial success story, the truth is that the lake’s pollution levels remain alarmingly high. Official sources confirm that Lake Qarun receives approximately 1.34 million cubic meters of drainage water daily, mostly agricultural runoff mixed with untreated sewage. The lake’s fish production has plummeted from 2,000 tonnes in 1981 to a mere 5 tonnes in 2022, marking a staggering decline of 78 percent since 2014.

Officials from Egypt’s environment ministry, including Eid el-Raghy, assert that efforts to restore the lake began in 2018, with plans to clean up pollution sources and reintroduce fish stocks. However, fishermen like Yasser Eid, who has fished the lake since childhood, are still waiting for tangible improvements. “There are no fish,” he laments, as many local fishermen have been forced to seek jobs far from home, some as far as Lake Nasser in Aswan.

The stark reality is that the lake, once a vital source of income for the community, is now a shadow of its former self. The crisis reflects a broader national trend, with other lakes in Egypt also suffering from severe pollution due to industrial and agricultural runoff. A 2015 study from Assiut University warned of rapid deterioration, with similar conditions reported in lakes across the Nile Delta.

Local fishermen are increasingly desperate for solutions. While the government has announced plans to improve infrastructure, including eight sewage treatment plants and upgrades to existing facilities, many in the community are skeptical. “Everyone depended on fishing,” said one fisherman, highlighting the urgent need for immediate action to revive the lake’s ecosystem.

El-Raghy insists that patience is necessary, stating that fishermen must adapt to new fish stocks and techniques. However, for those who rely on fishing for their livelihoods, time is a luxury they cannot afford. “We are still waiting for the lake restoration to mean clean water, living fish, and the provision of livelihoods,” Eid said.

As the government touts its restoration efforts, the fishermen of Lake Qarun face an uncertain future. With no immediate relief in sight, the community remains in a precarious position, hoping for a turnaround that seems increasingly distant. The situation at Lake Qarun serves as a dire warning of the environmental challenges facing Egypt’s waterways and the communities that depend on them for survival.

Stay tuned for further updates as this urgent situation develops.