When it comes to ‘the fish fled’: nile fisherman earning more from collecting plastic than fish, at 6 AM, Mohammed Ahmed Sayed Mohammed navigates his boat from al-Qarsaya island through the Nile's waters, once rich in fish but now plagued by pollution. Fifteen years ago, he sought out fish; today, he hunts for plastic bottles. "The fish fled from the plastic chokehold," Sayed lamented. He has lived on the Giza island since he was a teenager, marrying locally and raising three children, who now live with him and their 12 grandchildren in a community of about 200 families.
The decline in fish populations, driven by increasing plastic pollution in the river, has forced approximately 180 fishermen on al-Qarsaya to shift their focus from traditional fishing to waste collection. The VeryNile initiative, launched in 2018 by the Egyptian social enterprise Bassita, aims to clean the river by offering fishermen above-market rates for collected plastic waste. By paying significantly more than standard recycling plants, VeryNile provides an economic alternative at a time when fish populations are dwindling. Originally reported by The Guardian.
Understanding ‘The Fish Fled’: Nile Fisherman Earning More From Collecting Plastic Than Fish
Once, during the winter fishing season, Sayed would catch around 25 kilograms of fish daily. Now, he struggles to bring in just 4-5 kilograms, which he can sell for 70 Egyptian pounds (£1.10) per kilogram. In contrast, the income from collecting plastic is much more lucrative. Plastic waste now sells for 33 pounds (£0.52) per kilogram, a substantial increase from just eight pounds (£0.13) in 2018, when the VeryNile initiative first began. Tin cans yield even higher returns at 85 pounds (£1.34) per kilogram.
During the summer's low season, Sayed manages to collect about 20 kilograms of plastic each day. In peak winter months, his earnings from plastic alone can reach between 2,000 and 3,000 pounds (£31-£47) monthly. "I married off my three children from plastic collection income," the 60-year-old Sayed shared, adding that he even built a café for his eldest son, Mohammed, on the island because his sons found no other work opportunities.
Community Impact and Environmental Responsibility
Despite its proximity to Cairo, a bustling metropolis of 22 million people, al-Qarsaya remains isolated and can only be accessed by ferry or by the fishermen's boats. The island community is grappling with environmental degradation, with residents now forced to confront the deteriorating ecosystem of the Nile. Fishers interviewed recently recalled previous catches of 6 to 17 kilograms but now rely on VeryNile to adapt to the changes in their environment.
Since its inception, the VeryNile initiative has successfully collected over 454 tonnes of plastic waste from the Nile, processing it at a recycling factory in the 6th of October City. The organization has distributed 150 boats to fishermen free of charge and has expanded to three locations, including Sayed's hometown of Assiut. "We work with fishermen daily and practically live a full life inside this island," said Amna Karamallah, 20, who leads community responsibility for the initiative while studying online at the University of Khartoum due to ongoing conflict in Sudan.
Innovative Solutions and Community Development
The VeryNile initiative also employs 25 women from the island, engaging them in kitchen operations, sorting workshops, and product design. They have established an emergency clinic on al-Qarsaya and initiated training programs for farmers in vegetable cultivation, buying produce for use in the initiative's kitchen, which serves visitors to the island. Karamallah highlighted innovative approaches, like using fiber from recycled plastic to line distributed boats, thereby increasing their durability and extending their working life.
Hoda Gamal, one of the women involved in the workshops, recounted how the fishermen initially viewed the decline in fish catches as divine punishment. "They didn't know what environmental pollution or plastic pollution meant," she noted. "They didn't realize they became guardians of Nile waters by collecting those bottles and plastic bags."
Although Sayed's wife passed away three years ago due to the island's inadequate healthcare services, and his children did not finish their education, the community remains resilient. Al-Qarsaya, positioned opposite al-Bahr al-Azam Street and near the Pharaonic Village tourist attraction, retains greenery that is increasingly rare in the capital. The residents, primarily engaged in fishing and farming, have transformed from feeding Cairo with fish to supplying its recycling economy with raw materials derived from the river's pollution. This poignant shift highlights both the challenges and the adaptability of communities facing environmental crises.
Originally reported by The Guardian. View original.