Question

The Aral Sea provides a good illustration of international cooperation in water-resource management, with the additional benefit of enhancing commercial fishing opportunities. What is the significance of the Aral Sea in terms of water-resource management and commercial fishing?

1) It demonstrates successful international collaboration in managing water resources and promoting commercial fishing.
2) It highlights the challenges faced in water-resource management and the negative impact on commercial fishing.
3) It showcases the importance of the Aral Sea in supporting local economies and sustaining fishing communities.
4) It emphasizes the need for stricter regulations and policies to protect water resources and preserve commercial fishing.

Answer 1

The Aral Sea's situation exemplifies the challenges in water-resource management and its detrimental effects on commercial fishing due to historical overuse of water resources for agriculture, although recent efforts have partially revived the fishing industry in the Little Aral Sea.

Step-by-step explanation:

The significance of the Aral Sea in terms of water-resource management and commercial fishing is a complex and multifaceted issue. Historically, the Aral Sea has suffered from severe environmental degradation due to the diversion of its inflowing rivers—the Amu Darya and Syr Darya—for agricultural irrigation, primarily for cotton production. This resulted in the dramatic shrinking of the sea, with severe ecological consequences, including the collapse of its once-thriving commercial fishing industry. As of the early 21st century, however, there have been efforts, especially by Kazakhstan through the construction of a major dam in the northern portion, the Little Aral Sea, to increase water levels and reduce salinity, which has lent new life to the local fishing industry. While this represents a degree of successful international effort, on the whole, the Aral Sea's situation highlights severe challenges faced in international water-resource management, the negative impact on commercial fishing, and the need for more comprehensive environmental policies.