“Amid the ongoing Ukraine conflict, the Caspian Sea is gaining significance for energy and trade.
Coastlines have shifted up to 50 km, impacting human and economic activities, including the oil industry.
Climate change exacerbates the issue with increased evaporation, while pollution from industrial activities harms this unique ecosystem.
Kazakhstan, Zhanbay, June 25, 2024 - View from the Zhanbay dike. A few years ago, the sea was here, but now it’s about 30 kilometers away, and the fishermen come ashore by car or motorcycle.
Kazakhstan, Zhanbay, June 25, 2024 - View from the Zhanbay dike.
However, political responses fall short of addressing the unprecedented threats to the seas future.
Kazakhstan, the most affected country, has attempted to address the mismanagement of transboundary water resources without success.
Kazakhstan, Damba, June 23, 2024 - The Ural delta.
Today, the water level is so low that one can walk in the sea.
These are two opposite consequences of Russian unilateral water management.”
Closer to the coast, in Janbay, the sea is now only a memory.
Kazakhstan, Zhanbay, June 25, 2024 - Amanjai Ibatulo worked in the fishing industry when she was the region’s principal.
From the embankment where one could admire it only 10 years ago, a desperate landscape now appears.
To reach the sea, one must now take a jeep and drive 20 kilometers."
This article was developed with the support of Journalismfund Europe.
Kazakhstan, Damba, June 23, 2024 - In the delta, a small sturgeon farm.
Julien Pebrel lives and works in Tbilisi and Paris.
Julien is also giving workshops for Les Rencontres dArles, Myop agency, LEnvol, etc.
He is now working on his first documentary feature film - Kartli - with Tamar Kalandadze.
Kazakhstan, Zhanbay, June 25, 2024 - View from the Zhanbay dike. A few years ago, the sea was here, but now it’s about 30 kilometers away, and the fishermen come ashore by car or motorcycle.
Kazakhstan, Damba, June 24, 2024 - An environmental inspector on patrol in the Ural.
Kazakhstan, Khurmangazi, June 28, 2024 - On the edge of the Urals. Despite the ban on fishing, the inhabitants continue to practice it.
Kazakhstan, Damba, June 23, 2024 - A fishing boat is moved.
Kazakhstan, on the road between Zhanbay and the Caspian Sea, June 25, 2024 - An abandoned boat on the road between Zhanbay and the new bank of the Caspian.
Kazakhstan, on the road between Atyrau and Akkystau, June 24, 2024 - The region is flooded following a record high water level in the Urals. The flooding is due to the release of too much water by Russia, which is having a field day with the river levels. The lowering of the sea level was mainly due to excessive water retention by the Russians.
Kazakhstan, Damba, June 24, 2024 - Excavators are digging up the mouth of the Ural, where the river flows into the Caspian. The water level there is so low that fish can’t swim up from the sea into the flower to lay their eggs, and boats can’t reach the sea.
Kazakhstan, Damba, June 23, 2024 - In the village streets.
Kazakhstan, Zhana Zhanbay, June 26, 2024 - Ibragim Bozakhaev (68) and his grandson Batirhan (9 months) live in Zhana Zhanbay. The town was created from scratch some thirty years ago to accommodate Zhanbay residents. At the time, the authorities feared that rising sea levels would engulf part of the village. Today, the sea has disappeared and lies thirty kilometers from Zhanbay.
Kazakhstan, Khurmangazi, June 27, 2024 - In the museum dedicated to the region’s history.
Kazakhstan, Damba, June 23, 2024 - The keeper of the sturgeon farm
Kazakhstan, Makash district, June 27, 2024 - A mausoleum in the Makash region.
Kazakhstan, Khurmangazi, June 28, 2024 - Locals cut up the fish they’ve just caught.
Kazakhstan, on the road between Zhanbay and the Caspian Sea, June 25, 2024 - Dead fish left behind by the receding sea.
Kazakhstan, Zhanbay, June 26, 2024 - Bakhit milks one of his camels.
Kazakhstan, Atyrau, June 29, 2024 - The walk along the Ural River
Kazakhstan, Atyrau, June 29, 2024 - The walk along the Ural River
Kazakhstan, Atyrau, 29 juin 2024 - Des chanteurs le long de la promenade au bord de l’Oural juin 2024 - Au bord de l’Oural, les alentours du fleuve sont encore très marqués par la crue récente. Celle-ci, comme la baisse du niveau de la mer, est lié à la régulation des eaux par la Russiee.
Kazakhstan, Atyrau, June 23, 2024 - The oil refinery in the center of Atyrau.
