ARAL SEA BOATS - NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC

(Credit: National Geographic)

Photo: Sary Shaganak Gulf in the Aral Sea.

In the 1960s, Aral Sea was the fourth largest fishery in the Soviet Union. Ships like these brought in 50,000 tons of fish a year. But as the sea dried up, the ships were stranded.

As the salinity of the water increased, fish began to die, and most fishermen moved on. Quite a few rusty abandoned ships remain along the shores of the former Aral sad reminders of how quickly the industry collapsed.

Read more about the Aral Sea in National Geographic News.

Go to National Geographic Aral sea story