The city of Aralsk was historically a major fishing port in the Soviet Union. This artwork, in the town’s train station, depicts the citizens of Aralsk shipping off fish to feed the rest of the USSR.
This remained true until the 1960’s, when the Aral Sea started to retreat from the town. Today, the harbor stands with docks, ships, and fish factories; but no Aral Sea.Now, the harbor holds on small seasonal ponds of stagnant water.Most of these derelict ships have now been pillaged for pieces of scrap metal.Though further away from the Sea that used to lap the banks of village beaches, many communities on the Aral Sea still survive on fishing (though at a heavily reduced rate).But, there is hope yet for the Aral Sea. From a distance of nearly 100 kilometers in 2005, the North Aral Sea has returned to within 45km of Aralsk. Official estimates say that the Sea will return to Aralsk harbor by 2014.Slowly, then, the North Aral Sea is returning to its previous size.The South Aral Sea is not as positive. With a dam protecting the water in the North Aral, and with its feeder rivers still being drained elsewhere, the South Sea has continued to shrink. Not far into the future it will likely disappear completely.For now the residents of Aral Sea villages are stuck (as it were) with long hauls from village to sea to town to export their fish. In time, as the North Sea grows, perhaps the industry will return to the size it was before government mismanagement caused the disaster of the Aral Sea as it is today.
Hey Stephen! Thanks for the great photos and quick insight to current status of the Aral sea region. I am currently working on my thesis which is a study and eventual design proposal for generating a greater impact on progress in the region. Any chance you’d be willing to share more of what you learned during your time there? It would be a great benefit to get input from someone who has visited the area first hand.
i’m from Aralsk(was born and lived there) and i can tell you for sure,even though it looks like the sea is coming back economical and environmental situation is not getting better. my mom works in local anti-plaque institute,and she told a lot of rats from Barsakelmes island(Soviet Union used the island for biological weapon experiments) moved toward town bringing plaque-virus! And cancers among population are increased,a lot of people have chronich diseases.
Hi Aida, I’m a photographer interested in doing a work about Aral sea, and I’m trying to find some local contacts that could help me. Can you help me to find someone who can guide me? Thank you very much! I hope to hear from you soon!
Hey Stephen! Thanks for the great photos and quick insight to current status of the Aral sea region. I am currently working on my thesis which is a study and eventual design proposal for generating a greater impact on progress in the region. Any chance you’d be willing to share more of what you learned during your time there? It would be a great benefit to get input from someone who has visited the area first hand.
~Stephen
i’m from Aralsk(was born and lived there) and i can tell you for sure,even though it looks like the sea is coming back economical and environmental situation is not getting better. my mom works in local anti-plaque institute,and she told a lot of rats from Barsakelmes island(Soviet Union used the island for biological weapon experiments) moved toward town bringing plaque-virus! And cancers among population are increased,a lot of people have chronich diseases.
Hi Aida, I’m a photographer interested in doing a work about Aral sea, and I’m trying to find some local contacts that could help me. Can you help me to find someone who can guide me? Thank you very much! I hope to hear from you soon!