Tunisia chemical plants causing devastating pollution

Near a bustling port exporting phosphates lies a graveyard of trawlers, rotting boats of the fisherman whose livelihoods were destroyed by the chemicals washing into the bay.

Around 13,000 tonnes of chemicals and waste are channelled into a Tunisian bay that was once a rich spawning ground for marine life.

Now devoid of the formerly plentiful fish and crabs, the locals call it the “fatal shore” and believe it is responsible for an increase in cancer and disease.

As Tunisia plans to increase its export of phosphates, used in agricultural fertilizer, environmental groups are warning of the damage being done to land and sea.

Al Jazeera’s David Chater is in the coastal city of Gabes, which has seen some of the worst of the pollution.

By David Chater