El Max, where hundreds of boats dart through the canals, has been called the “Venice of Egypt” for its waterways and relaxed atmosphere.
But in the village in the coastal Mediterranean city of Alexandria, a district of families dependant on fishing for their livelihood is struggling to navigate Egypt's economic troubles.
. Cairo, Egypt. REUTERS/Amr Abdallah Dalsh
Almost every day, the fishermen wake up before dawn and return home in the evening, earning just 10 Egyptian pounds ($1.40).
They worry about how they will make ends meet on meagre earnings they say are being reduced further by polluted waters, making fishing more difficult.
. Alexandria, Egypt. REUTERS/Amr Abdallah Dalsh
Raw sewage and waste floats in the canals, the water darkened in some places. The fishermen point to the nearby cement and chemical factories, which they believe are dumping their waste into the waters.
Few here are optimistic. Egypt has been hurt by years of political and economic turmoil ever since the 2011 overthrow of former president Hosni Mubarak. The number of tourists visiting Egypt, while slowly recovering, is still significantly below pre-revolution levels.
. Cairo, Egypt. REUTERS/Amr Abdallah Dalsh
The government has tried to fix the state’s finances by cutting subsidies and reining in spending.
But many here argue that the reforms have hurt Egypt’s most vulnerable, who have long-relied on a generous system of fuel and food subsidies to supplement insufficient incomes.
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Slideshow
. Alexandria, Egypt. REUTERS/Amr Abdallah Dalsh
A fisherman repairs his boat at the entrance to the fishermen's village in El Max.
. Alexandria, Egypt. REUTERS/Amr Abdallah Dalsh
A boy walks at the beach in front of boats.
. Alexandria, Egypt. REUTERS/Amr Abdallah Dalsh
Fishermen repair their nets in the Mediterranean city of Alexandria.
. Cairo, Egypt. REUTERS/Amr Abdallah Dalsh
A fisherman sails his boat as he travels under a bridge.
. Cairo, Egypt. REUTERS/Amr Abdallah Dalsh
Crabs are seen for sale in the El Max area.
. Cairo, Egypt. REUTERS/Amr Abdallah Dalsh
A fisherman collects fish from his net.
. Alexandria, Egypt. REUTERS/Amr Abdallah Dalsh
People sit in a cafe at the entrance gate to El Max.
. Cairo, Egypt. REUTERS/Amr Abdallah Dalsh
Boats are moored in front of houses.
. Alexandria, Egypt. REUTERS/Amr Abdallah Dalsh
People crowd onto a slide at a public beach.
. Cairo, Egypt. REUTERS/Amr Abdallah Dalsh
A student walks over a bridge after school.
. Alexandria, Egypt. REUTERS/Amr Abdallah Dalsh
A man looks out from his balcony in El Max.
. Cairo, Egypt. REUTERS/Amr Abdallah Dalsh
A boy plays under a pipe in the fishermen’s village.
. Cairo, Egypt. REUTERS/Amr Abdallah Dalsh
A bird, which is covered in oil, stands on a girder.
. Alexandria, Egypt. REUTERS/Amr Abdallah Dalsh
63-year-old fisherman El Hag Saleh stands at his door, under a poster of Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi.
. Alexandria, Egypt. REUTERS/Amr Abdallah Dalsh
Saleh shows family photographs at his home.
. Alexandria, Egypt. REUTERS/Amr Abdallah Dalsh
Saleh holds a picture of himself as a young man, when he served in the army.