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Fishermen struggle to survive on heavily polluted Nicaraguan lake

A man puts puts the fish he bought from fishermen on Xolotlan Lake on ice, to later sell it in Tipitapa, some 12 miles from the capital, on Nov. 16.
A man puts puts the fish he bought from fishermen on Xolotlan Lake on ice, to later sell it in Tipitapa, some 12 miles from the capital, on Nov. 16.Hector Retamal / AFP - Getty Images
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A fisherman rests on his boat on Xolotlan Lake in Tipitapa, some 12 miles from Nicaragua's capital, on Nov. 16.
A fisherman rests on his boat on Xolotlan Lake in Tipitapa, some 12 miles from Nicaragua's capital, on Nov. 16.Hector Retamal / AFP - Getty Images

Xolotlan Lake, also known as Lake Managua, is one of the largest and most polluted in Nicaragua. Although President Daniel Ortega's administration obtained international funding three years ago to restore the lake back to health, it is still heavily polluted. Hunger and poverty force many Nicaraguans to fish in the contaminated lake, according to Agence France-Presse (article in Spanish).

Nicaraguan Mauro Castillo puts his fishing net away after returning from Xolotlan Lake in Tipitapa, some 12 miles from the capital, on Nov. 24.
Nicaraguan Mauro Castillo puts his fishing net away after returning from Xolotlan Lake in Tipitapa, some 12 miles from the capital, on Nov. 24.Hector Retamal / AFP - Getty Images
A man puts puts the fish he bought from fishermen on Xolotlan Lake on ice, to later sell it in Tipitapa, some 12 miles from the capital, on Nov. 16.
A man puts puts the fish he bought from fishermen on Xolotlan Lake on ice, to later sell it in Tipitapa, some 12 miles from the capital, on Nov. 16.Hector Retamal / AFP - Getty Images
Fish caught in Xolotlan Lake, also known as Lake Managua is sold at a market in Tipitapa, some 12 miles from the capital, on Nov. 16.
Fish caught in Xolotlan Lake, also known as Lake Managua is sold at a market in Tipitapa, some 12 miles from the capital, on Nov. 16.Hector Retamal / AFP - Getty Images
Thirty-five-year-old fisherman Adonis Mena, throws his fishing net into the waters of Xolotlan Lake in Tipitapa, some 12 miles from the capital, on Nov. 20.
Thirty-five-year-old fisherman Adonis Mena, throws his fishing net into the waters of Xolotlan Lake in Tipitapa, some 12 miles from the capital, on Nov. 20.Hector Retamal / AFP - Getty Images

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