Dead fish in southern Iraq - in pictures

  • A dead turtle lies upside down near other dead fish by the bank of the Amshan river, which draws its water from the Tigris, in Iraq's southeastern Maysan governorate. AFP
    A dead turtle lies upside down near other dead fish by the bank of the Amshan river, which draws its water from the Tigris, in Iraq's southeastern Maysan governorate. AFP
  • Fishermen stand in a boat as they inspect thousands of dead fish floating by the bank of the Amshan river, which draws its water from the Tigris. AFP
    Fishermen stand in a boat as they inspect thousands of dead fish floating by the bank of the Amshan river, which draws its water from the Tigris. AFP
  • An employee of Iraq's Ministry of Water Resources measures the oxygen level and salinity of the water of the Amshan river, which is fed by the Tigris. AFP
    An employee of Iraq's Ministry of Water Resources measures the oxygen level and salinity of the water of the Amshan river, which is fed by the Tigris. AFP
  • Thousands of tonnes of freshwater fish have washed up dead along Iraq's river banks in the southern province of Maysan. Photo: Ahmed Salih Nima
    Thousands of tonnes of freshwater fish have washed up dead along Iraq's river banks in the southern province of Maysan. Photo: Ahmed Salih Nima
  • The disaster was caused by an increase in salinity rates and pollution, stemming from the region's crippling shortage of freshwater supplies. Photo: Ahmed Salih Nima
    The disaster was caused by an increase in salinity rates and pollution, stemming from the region's crippling shortage of freshwater supplies. Photo: Ahmed Salih Nima
  • The once vibrant waterways in the Al Mejar Al Kabeer district now resemble a graveyard. Photo: Ahmed Salih Nima
    The once vibrant waterways in the Al Mejar Al Kabeer district now resemble a graveyard. Photo: Ahmed Salih Nima
  • Boats struggle to navigate the once thriving rivers and canals. Photo: Ahmed Salih Nima
    Boats struggle to navigate the once thriving rivers and canals. Photo: Ahmed Salih Nima
  • The affected areas used to export 10 tonnes of fish per day to southern provinces. Photo: Ahmed Salih Nima
    The affected areas used to export 10 tonnes of fish per day to southern provinces. Photo: Ahmed Salih Nima
  • The magnitude of the disaster has raised concerns about the long-term ecological consequences for the region. Photo: Ahmed Salih Nima
    The magnitude of the disaster has raised concerns about the long-term ecological consequences for the region. Photo: Ahmed Salih Nima
  • The UN classifies the oil-rich nation as the fifth most vulnerable country in the world to climate change. Photo: Ahmed Salih Nima
    The UN classifies the oil-rich nation as the fifth most vulnerable country in the world to climate change. Photo: Ahmed Salih Nima