Idlib – North-Press Agency
During the past few months, fish farming in the region of al-Ghab Plain in the western countryside of Hama declined in several stages, so that the region lost a large part of its fish after the recent military campaign by Syrian government forces, which ended with their takeover of most of the villages and towns in al-Ghab Plain region.
Al-Ghab Plain, 50 km west of the city of Hama, is considered one of the most important Syrian regions in the field of fish farming, where fish wealth in this region represents an important source of economy on which the people of the region depend. The unavailability fish food on the one hand, and the circumstances of the war on the other, forced workers in this field to leave, and thus fish production season declined after it was was exporting about 500 tons of the finest types of carp to all regions of Syria.
Eng. Fawaz al-Rahil, from al-Ghab Plain, told North-Press the reason for the decline of fish farming in the region is "the control of the Syrian government forces over more than 90% of al-Ghab Plain in the middle of last year, in addition to the high cost of production compared to selling prices, and the lack of markets for discharging production, forcing farmers to discharge their production in the areas controlled by the government forces."
Al-Rahil added that the reason for the high cost of production is high prices of feed, fuel, and veterinary medicines which are often not available in the market, and farmers are forced to use poultry and beef medicine, which is usually very expensive.
Abu Khaz'al (a pseudonym), a fish farmer in al-Ghab Plain, told North-Press: "We face many difficulties in raising fish, especially after Syrian government forces took control of most of the area and most of the fish farms become close to the frontlines. This is in addition to the high prices of feed, fuel, electricity, and the high cost of general maintenance of the farm from bulldozing them and maintaining the engines and pumps."
Abu Khaz'al added that poor economic feasibility in fish farming projects is one of the obstacles, as the low price of fish when sold makes it not reach the limit that covers the production costs.
Mahdi al-Hussein, a fish seller and IDP from Hama countryside, explained to North-Press that after Syrian government forces took control of al-Ghab Plain, the northern markets of Syria lack several types of fish, as well as the high prices of the remaining fish, especially after their import from commercial crossings ceased.
"The high prices of fish have led many people to rely on the frozen fish imported from Turkey, which are sold at much lower prices than Syrian fish, knowing that its taste is completely different from the taste of the Syrian fish, which is known for the softness of its meat and its delicious smell." Al-Hussein said.
The area of al-Ghab Plain was known for its abundant springs, fertile agricultural lands, and abundant agricultural production, in addition to livestock raising, but the Syrian crisis and the military operations that followed pushed a large number of farmers and livestock owners to flee to Idlib.
The deployment of extremist groups such as the Turkistan Islamic Party and Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (formerly Jabhat al-Nusra) in the region, in addition to many groups that are affected by the ideology of these groups, clamped down on the population and exacerbated their suffering after repeated battles that inflicted great economic and human losses in the majority of the region during the years of the Syrian crisis.
The presence of such groups provides an excuse for the return of military operations to these areas in light of the continued demand by the Russians and other international powers from Turkey to separate these groups, which are classified on the global lists of terrorism, and those affiliated with it.