Socio-economic impact of the saltwater intrusion in the Shatt al-Arab River on fish farmers in Al-Mashab marshes, Southern Iraq

Abstract

The salinity of the Shatt al-Arab River is determined by the volume of freshwater entering the river from tributaries and on the tidal forces from the Arabian Gulf. The implementation of hydrological projects by upstream countries has led to a reduction in the freshwater discharges reaching the Shatt al-Arab. The decrease in freshwater volume in the Shatt al-Arab has made space for saltwater from the Arabian Gulf to intrude 150 km upstream from the river mouth. Saltwater intrusion (SWI) in the Shatt al-Arab is harmful fish farmers in Al-Mashab marshes, north of Basrah, southern Iraq. The SWI in 2018 was the most severe on record, resulting in the mass mortality of farmed fish in Al-Mashab marshes. As a result of the mass mortality of fish, farmers lost the main source of their income, which led to serious and complicated problems at the socioeconomic level. These problems may finally lead to social and political unrest in the case of absence of governmental planning and solutions.

Keywords

• Saltwater intrusion,fish farming,socioeconomic impact,Shatt al-Arab

Supporting Institution

University of Basrah

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