Diversion of water sources has caused the Aral Sea in Central Asia to decline significantly over the past five decades. It has broken into several smaller seas, leaving behind a vast desert and a multitude of environmental, economic and social problems. Recent restorative action has produced a rebound in the fishing industry in what is now the North Aral Sea, possibly indicating a turn for the better, but it has come at the expense of the South Aral Sea which was starved of water flow when the Kok- Aral dam was constructed. Although the water levels of the Aral Sea may never return to pre-1960s levels, transboundary co-operation on the implementation of and compliance with conservation policies and activities provides some hope for the survival of the Aral Sea and security of livelihoods in the region.
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