Egypt's freshwater 'Pharaonic Sea' has fishermen worried

This picture taken on 16 June 2018, shows a fish from the Pharaonic Sea caught in a net, in the village of Kafr Fisha, province of Munuf. The `Pharaonic Sea` is the name of a large water body in the province of Menoufia, an area of 2500 acres and overlooking 50 villages. Photo: AFP
This picture taken on 16 June 2018, shows a fish from the Pharaonic Sea caught in a net, in the village of Kafr Fisha, province of Munuf. The `Pharaonic Sea` is the name of a large water body in the province of Menoufia, an area of 2500 acres and overlooking 50 villages. Photo: AFP

Egypt's shrinking freshwater "Pharaonic Sea" has residents in its nearly 50 surrounding fishing villages worried.

The thin 10,000-square kilometre stretch of water just north of the capital was once part of the Nile River, but shrivelling shorelines have left it separated from the country's main water source for nearly 50 years.

Since then, inhabitants in the surrounding villages have referred to it as the "dead sea".

And while its surrounding lush vegetation remains, the sea's steadily declining water levels have fishermen on edge.

The worry has fuelled anxious meetings regularly held by fishermen.

Egyptian Fishermen of the Pharaonic Sea drink tea after a working day in the village of Kafr Fisha, province of Munuf on 16 June 2018. The `Pharaonic Sea` is the name of a large water body in the province of Menoufia, an area of 2500 acres and overlooking 50 villages. Photo: AFP
Egyptian Fishermen of the Pharaonic Sea drink tea after a working day in the village of Kafr Fisha, province of Munuf on 16 June 2018. The `Pharaonic Sea` is the name of a large water body in the province of Menoufia, an area of 2500 acres and overlooking 50 villages. Photo: AFP

In the village of Kafr Fisha, families live in rhythm with the sea in houses built along the water's edge.

Like dozens of other fishermen, Sherif, 41, and Khaled, 55, are out of the house and onto the water before dawn.

They spend their day on a tiny wooden boat, casting handmade nets into the sea's brownish green waters.

Dressed in jeans and a sleeveless shirt under the hot summer sun, Sherif carefully frees fish from the nets, placing each one into a small plastic crate.

This picture taken on 16 June 2018, shows a fisherman`s meal, near the Pharaonic Sea, in the village of Kafr Fisha, province of Munuf. The `Pharaonic Sea` is the name of a large water body in the province of Menoufia, an area of 2500 acres and overlooking 50 villages. Photo: AFP
This picture taken on 16 June 2018, shows a fisherman`s meal, near the Pharaonic Sea, in the village of Kafr Fisha, province of Munuf. The `Pharaonic Sea` is the name of a large water body in the province of Menoufia, an area of 2500 acres and overlooking 50 villages. Photo: AFP

As the sun begins to dip below the horizon, Khaled sits at the water's edge and prepares a traditional Egyptian salad that will accompany their dinner of fresh grilled catch.

They make tea as night falls, lying on the ground and enjoying a respite from the day's heat.

The Nile's steadily dipping shorelines have both villagers and officials worried.

The country relies almost entirely on the river for irrigation and drinking water, and authorities are worried a controversial upstream dam underway in neighbouring Ethiopia could dramatically reduce its flow.