Lost Livelihoods: The Aral Sea's Devastating Impact on Local Men

The Aral Sea, once the world's fourth-largest inland body of water, has drastically shrunk to less than a quarter of its former size, leaving behind a vast desert and ghost towns. Former fishermen in Muynak, Uzbekistan, reminisce about the thriving fish market and the bounty that provided for their families. The sea's disappearance, caused by both nature and human activities such as irrigation, has led to the closure of resorts and the decline of the region's population. The fishermen paint their memories of the Aral, while others mark their graves with anchors or lighthouses as a reminder of their lost livelihoods.