The 56th session of the Arab Permanent Committee on Human Rights kicks off, chaired by Kuwait.- KUNA photos
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Human activity, rising temperatures behind recent fish deaths in Kuwait
KUWAIT: Human activities along Kuwait’s shores are key contributors to the red tide and fish deaths observed recently, alongside natural factors like rising water temperatures, the Environment Public Authority (EPA) said Friday. Following the circulation of images and videos on social media, EPA teams immediately visited the affected areas — including the shores of Ashairij, Doha, and Shuwaikh — to investigate.
Sheikha Al-Ibrahim, Director of Public Relations and Media at the EPA, told the Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) that field teams conducted comprehensive environmental surveys, taking field measurements and collecting water samples for laboratory analysis. Preliminary results identified the bloom of a specific type of phytoplankton as the immediate cause. This bloom depletes dissolved oxygen in the water and alters its color, leading to fish suffocation — a phenomenon that becomes more frequent at the start of summer due to the Arabian Gulf’s rising surface temperatures.
Scientists from the Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research have previously warned that red tide outbreaks are part of a larger pattern. In a research paper published in 2025, they note that the Arabian Gulf is one of the most heavily impacted marine environments in the world, suffering from pollution caused by rapid urban development, industrial expansion, desalination plants, and busy oil shipping routes. These pressures have made the Gulf’s coastal waters especially vulnerable to harmful algal blooms (HABs), which have grown more frequent and severe in recent decades.
Al-Ibrahim pointed out that the discoloration of coastal waters, particularly near stormwater outlets, is closely linked to human activities. She added that human activities along the shore degrade water quality, creating conditions that directly or indirectly fuel red tide outbreaks and marine die-offs. She urged citizens, residents, fishermen, and sea-goers to report any sightings of fish deaths along Kuwait’s coastlines or territorial waters to the EPA for immediate action. Al-Ibrahim stressed that the EPA will intensify its field surveys over the coming days, especially around Kuwait Bay, to monitor environmental conditions and safeguard marine life. She emphasized the need for community cooperation in preserving the health of Kuwait’s marine ecosystems. — Agencies
Could dust storms be fueling red tide?
By Nebal Snan
A recent study has found that rising temperatures and dust storms are combining to trigger harmful algal blooms (HABs) in the Arabian Gulf — posing serious threats to marine life in Kuwait. Researchers from the Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research focused on Chattonella marina, a toxic phytoflagellate (a type of microscopic algae), which was linked to a major fish kill in 2021. Their findings point to potentially one of the main drivers behind the outbreak: A severe dust storm two months before the bloom, which delivered large amounts of nutrients into coastal waters.
The Arabian Gulf is already considered one of the most environmentally stressed seas in the world, pressured by rapid urbanization, industrial development, desalination, and heavy oil shipping traffic. These combined impacts have made the region’s waters increasingly vulnerable to HABs, which are becoming more frequent and intense.
The study also highlights that dust storms may play a far larger role in fueling algal blooms than previously understood. Northern Gulf waters, including those around Kuwait, experience about five times more dust storms than southern areas. These storms deposit mineral nutrients into the sea, stimulating algae growth combined with climate stressors like rising sea temperatures, which lead to lower oxygen levels in the water, thereby suffocating the fish. For instance, researchers observed that after a major dust storm, certain phytoplankton populations surged and remained elevated for up to two weeks.
Scientists warn that dust storms, which are common in the region, may have long-term effects on marine life by fueling these harmful algae outbreaks. Understanding how human activities and natural events interact is crucial for protecting the Gulf’s fragile coastal ecosystems and sustaining its marine life.
KUWAIT: Minister of Commerce and Industry, and Chairman of the Public Authority for Industry (PAI) Khalifa Al-Ajeel said on Monday that protecting the commercial and industrial system is a “national responsibility that requires concerted efforts.”
Minister Al-Ajeel emphasized in a statement to KUNA following an extensive inspection campaign in the south Amghara scrap yard, to “firmly deal with all violations and encroachments in accordance with legal frameworks where no one is above the law.”
Al-Ajeel confirmed the continuation of inspection campaigns as well until the desired goals are reached, foremost being is restoring order and discipline to the area and removing all violations and encroachments.
He affirmed the ministry and the PAI’s commitment to cooperating with relevant authorities to continue these campaigns to ensure a safe and organized industrial and commercial environment.
The campaign resulted in the seizure of several violations and closure of several non-compliant units in preparation for taking necessary legal action against their exploiters.
Participating in the campaign was General Fire Force (KFF) Chief Major General Talal Al-Roumi, along with several executive leaders from the PAI. — KUNA
CAIRO: The 56th regular session of the Arab Permanent Committee for Human Rights commenced on Monday with the participation of Kuwait and representatives from Arab states concerned with human rights affairs. In his opening address, Ahmed Maghari, supervisor of the Human Rights Department at the League of Arab States, underscored the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza, calling it a stark indicator of the region’s human rights reality. “We cannot speak of the state of human rights without acknowledging the catastrophic conditions faced by our brothers in Gaza, where securing the most basic necessities has become a matter of survival,” he said. Maghari described the ongoing Zionist aggression in Gaza as a profound moral and humanitarian challenge, noting that the Palestinian people continue to endure daily suffering under constant bombardment, displacement and destruction. He lamented the international community’s continued inaction in the face of clear violations of international law and human rights norms. “The occupying power persists in defying international legitimacy and the decisions of the General Assembly, the Security Council, and the International Court of Justice,” he said.
Held at a time of mounting regional tensions, the session comes amid escalating challenges that directly affect fundamental human rights. Maghari highlighted the Committee’s historic role since its establishment in 1968 in developing the Arab human rights framework both legally and practically, while also fostering cooperation with regional and international partners. He expressed hope that the session would yield effective recommendations to help confront the pressing challenges in the region. He pointed to the rise of conflicts and violence globally, along with the resulting serious human rights violations, as major concerns.
Emerging issues such as the intersection of human rights with climate change, artificial intelligence, and the spread of alien ideologies that undermine human dignity were also noted. “In light of these challenges, we must reinforce our solidarity and collective action to enhance peace, stability, and the security of our societies,” Maghari added. The two-day session, chaired by Ambassador Talal Al-Mutairi, Chairman of the Arab Permanent Committee for Human Rights, will review the General Secretariat’s report on the implementation of previous recommendations up to the 55th session.
Discussions will also focus on Zionist violations in occupied Arab territories, the plight of Arab prisoners and detainees in Zionist prisons, and the issue of the bodies of Palestinian and Arab martyrs held in so-called “numbered cemeteries.” Other agenda items include the Arab Charter on Human Rights and preparations for Arab Human Rights Day, which will be observed on March 16, 2026. Kuwait is represented at the meeting by a delegation led by Assistant Foreign Minister for Human Rights Affairs Ambassador Sheikha Jawaher Ibrahim Al-Duaij Al-Sabah.— KUNA
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