Fish out of reach for Iraqis after price surge

Описание: (9 May 2023)
IRAQ FISH

SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS

RESTRICTION SUMMARY:

LENGTH: 2:33

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Najaf, Iraq - 7 May 2023

1. Various of drone shots of fishponds by banks of Euphrates River ++MUTE++
2. Various of worker cleaning fishponds
3. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Falah Hamid, fish breeder:
"There are fewer fish breeders because of the high price of fodder. The price of a ton of fodder is a million dinars ($760). How can we make a profit? There are also many infectious diseases and viruses that have no cure spreading because of the water shortage. The government has not been helping or providing us with fodder for years now. Three years ago, I lost around 180 million dinars (around $137,000 based on current exchange rate)."

4. Various of Najaf resident Hussam Moneim buying fish from fish vendor
5. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Hussam Moneim, Najaf resident:
"We used to buy fish two or three times a week for 4,500 or 4,750 dinars (about $3.4 per kilogram). When I invited friends over for a meal, fish was the cheapest option but now (one kilogram of fish) costs 7,700 or 8,000 dinars, and even 8,500 (about $6.2). Fish from the sea will cost 9,000 to 12,000 dinars per kilogram, it could sell for around 10,000 or 11,000 ($6.8-$9.2). These prices have affected us as Iraqi families, especially those who make smaller incomes like employees and simple workers. They will not be able to buy fish more than once a month."

6. Fish on display at shop
7. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Hakim Al-Khazraji, assistant director of the agriculture department in Najaf:
"Fish farming was greatly affected by the scarcity of water, and so the price of fish was affected. There is also the issue of the law banning fishing from Feb. 15 to April 15 in order to preserve fish stocks in the rivers."

8. Various of fishponds by side of the Euphrates River
STORYLINE:
The recent surge in the price of fish in Iraq has disrupted a weekly tradition for many Iraqi families who usually gathered over grilled carp on Fridays.

Fish breeders in the city of Najaf usually farm fish in cages by the riverbanks to make up for the shortage of fish stocks in the rivers.

The government has put in place a temporary fishing ban in the Tigris and Euphrates rivers to preserve stocks.

Fishponds established to cover local market needs have not filled the gap this year because of a water shortage in Iraq.

Iraq has been facing severe water shortages arising from high temperatures and drought — believed to be fueled by climate change — and ongoing water extraction by neighboring countries from the Tigris and Euphrates rivers.

Iraq relies on the Tigris and Euphrates rivers for nearly all of its water needs. Both flow into Iraq from Turkey and Iran.

Those countries have constructed dams that have either blocked or diverted water, creating major shortages in Iraq.

The water crisis has affected fisheries located along the riverbanks in Najaf, adding to the struggles of fish farmers who are already struggling to afford fodder.

"There are fewer fish breeders because of the high price of fodder. The price of a ton of fodder is a million dinars ($760)," says Falah Hamid, a fish breeder.

The price of a kilogram of fish has nearly doubled, making the popular seafood out of reach for many Iraqis.

"We used to buy fish two or three times a week for 4,500 or 4,750 dinars (per kilogram)," says Najaf resident Hussam Moneim.

"When I invited friends over for a meal, fish was the cheapest option but now (one kilogram of fish) costs 7,700 or 8,000 dinars, and even 8,500 ($6.8-$9.2)," he adds.




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