Water Supply Growth in Northern Aral Sea Boosts Fishing Industry
In a major milestone for the restoration of the Aral Sea, water supply to the northern part of the sea during the irrigation period has reached nearly 100% for the first time in five years. Zeynolla Kaztoghanov, Deputy Head of the Aral-Syr Darya Basin Inspectorate of Kazakhstan, announced that 977 million cubic meters of water have been directed to the northern Aral Sea so far this year, a significant increase from previous years.
The current water volume in the Northern Aral Sea now stands at 22 billion cubic meters, a substantial improvement from previous levels. The flow of water into the sea has increased significantly, from 7-10 cubic meters per second in previous irrigation periods to 60-70 cubic meters per second this year. This surge in water supply is expected to continue, with an additional 500 million cubic meters of water planned to be released into the sea by the end of 2024.
Not only has the increased water supply benefited the Aral Sea, but it has also had a positive impact on nearby lakes such as Akshatau, Sorgak, and Kamystybash. This has led to improvements in the local fishing and tourism industries, with a rise in fish populations due to the decrease in salinity of the Aral Sea. Fishermen are now able to catch 7.5-8 thousand tons of fish annually, a significant increase from the 400 tons caught after the sea’s desiccation.
The efforts to restore the Aral Sea are showing promising results, with increased water supply leading to improvements in the ecosystem and local economies. The progress made so far marks a significant achievement in the ongoing restoration of this once-damaged body of water.
