Reopening of Egypt's lake Qarun brings hope to fishermen

After years of closure due to pollution and ecological collapse, Egypt's Lake Qarun in Fayoum province has reopened for fishing, sparking a resurgence of hope and economic opportunity for local communities.

For Ali Omar, a young fisherman and Fayoum native, the reopening marks a long-awaited homecoming. The 26-year-old left his job as a construction worker in Libya to return to his childhood passion for fishing.

Years ago, severe pollution and a devastating invasion of isopod parasites decimated the lake's fish stocks, forcing its closure and plunging surrounding communities into economic hardship.

Recognizing the lake's ecological and economic importance, the Egyptian government launched a rehabilitation program. Scientists and environmentalists collaborated to eliminate pollution, eradicate parasites, and restore the delicate ecosystem of the 55,000-acre lake.

Earlier this month, the government announced that the lake, once a rich source of many types of fish, had been fully rehabilitated and was ready to receive fishermen, bringing happy news to Omar and his fellow townsmen.

"I've been fishing these waters since I was a child," Omar said as he docked his small wooden boat along the lake's shore, noting that the revitalized lake promises a new chapter for local fishermen and a boost to the area's economy.

"The extended closure of the lake plunged surrounding villages into economic hardship. For over eight years, thousands of residents who once relied on fishing and fish selling have faced unemployment and an uncertain future," Omar added.

To earn a living, Ahmed Adel, another fisherman from Fayoum, told Xinhua that many local fishermen had shifted to agriculture and construction or migrated to neighboring countries in search of work.

"This displacement has not only disrupted livelihoods but also fractured a long-standing tradition deeply ingrained in the community's identity," he pointed out.