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Rising Sea Puts the Coast of the Persian Gulf at Risk

August 24, 2018 | Pulitzer Center
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Images by Ako Salemi with text by Claire Potter
A Pakistani ship repairman who works at the Dayer port. Image by Ako Salemi. Iran, 2016.

A Pakistani ship repairman who works at the Dayer port. Image by Ako Salemi. Iran, 2016.

A traditional fisherman prepares his boat to go fishing in the Persian Gulf near Kangan. Image by Ako Salemi. Iran, 2016.

A traditional fisherman prepares his boat to go fishing in the Persian Gulf near Kangan. Image by Ako Salemi. Iran, 2016.

Aerial shot of the Bushehr port on the Persian Gulf. Image by Ako Salemi. Iran, 2016.

Aerial shot of the Bushehr port on the Persian Gulf. Image by Ako Salemi. Iran, 2016.

A fisherman returns home from the sea to the Dayer port. Image by Ako Salemi. Iran, 2016.

A fisherman returns home from the sea to the Dayer port. Image by Ako Salemi. Iran, 2016.

Tankers at a distance. View from the Kangan port on the Persian Gulf. Image by Ako Salemi. Iran, 2016.

Tankers at a distance. View from the Kangan port on the Persian Gulf. Image by Ako Salemi. Iran, 2016.

As climate change continues to intensify, sea levels are inching up and endangering coastal communities around the world. The cities and villages dotting the 1400 km Iranian coast of the Persian Gulf will soon be at risk of being submerged by the rising water. Photojournalist Ako Salemi traveled along the coast to capture daily life in three port communities. If current trends continue, the people here will soon be forced out by the rising sea, but for now they are continuing their everyday lives.