Iraqi fisherman flounder on the Shatt al-Arab
2019-03-24 00:00:00 - From: Rudaw
Iraq controls just a sliver of coastline on the Persian Gulf at the estuary of the Shatt al-Arab, nestled between the borders of Iran to the east and Kuwait to the west. In this small stretch of waterway the fishermen of Al-Faw fight to maintain their livelihood.
Fishing trips will often keep these men away from land for five or six days at a time. Abu Hassan has been making the trip out into the Gulf for 40 years.
“For fishing, we are preparing materials such as petrol and ice and other stuff and set off. We stay five to six days fishing and then bring them to back to Al-Faw to sell them,” he said.
Fishermen complain they do not make enough profit from their work because Iran and Kuwait prevent them from fishing further out at sea.
According to the Al-Faw Fishermen Board, Iran has prevented fishing by Iraqi fishermen for around 70 kilometers.
The cost of fueling their boats and other equipment is costly. If they cannot catch enough fish, it’s a struggle to break even.