KUWAIT: The Kuwait Diving Team, operating under the Environmental Voluntary Foundation, has successfully removed three abandoned fishing nets weighing a total of two tons from Kuwait Bay, rescuing trapped marine life in the process. The initiative is part of the team’s ongoing efforts to protect marine ecosystems and ensure the safety of shipping lanes from potential hazards posed by such debris.
Team leader Waleed Al-Fadhel told KUNA on Tuesday that the voluntary mission was necessary due to the increasing accumulation of discarded nets in the area. He emphasized that Kuwait Bay serves as a vital habitat for fish and is an important ecological site, making its preservation crucial. According to Al-Fadhel, specialized boats were deployed to extract the nets, which contained numerous dead fish, marine creatures and seabirds. Some of the nets were located at depths of up to 13 meters, while others were in shallow waters. The team carefully coordinated their retrieval efforts based on tidal movements, weather conditions, and wave height to ensure a safe and effective operation.
He expressed gratitude to various entities that supported the mission, including the Kuwait Ports Authority, the Environment Public Authority, the Kuwait Stock Exchange, the Directorate of Coast Guard, the Public Authority for Agricultural Affairs and Fish Resources, and the marine rescue centers of the Kuwait Fire Service Directorate.
Al-Fadhel highlighted that these efforts align with the global “Clean Seas” campaign in collaboration with the United Nations Environment Program’s Regional Office for West Asia. He reaffirmed the team’s commitment to ongoing marine conservation projects, including monitoring and protecting coral reefs across Kuwaiti islands and coasts, as well as conducting regular beach clean-up campaigns in partnership with civil society organizations to promote environmental awareness and volunteerism.
He also commended the proactive role of authorities and citizens in reporting abandoned nets, urging boat owners to notify the Coast Guard, marine rescue centers, or the Kuwait Diving Team of any hazardous waste or violations. Furthermore, he stressed the importance of imposing stricter penalties on fishermen and seafarers who disregard marine protection laws, particularly in Kuwait Bay, where net fishing is strictly prohibited to safeguard its rich biodiversity and fragile marine ecosystem. – KUNA
