Latest news with #Al-Fadhel
Arab Times
5 days ago
- Science
- Arab Times
Kuwait Expert Warns Against Shark Hysteria
KUWAIT CITY, May 31: Kuwaiti Diving Team Head Waleed Al-Fadhel has dispelled the fear of the presence of a large number of sharks in Bneider coastal area, while warning about the dangers of overfishing, considering them threatened by extinction. Al-Fadhel stated that 'some fishermen catch these creatures for their fins, which are used in making the world's most expensive soup.' He explained that 'sharks are not alien to our marine environment, as they are rather an integral part of the ecological balance,' calling for dealing with them with scientific awareness and responsibility. He added, 'Sharks contribute to cleaning the sea of dead fish and carcasses and are considered natural sea scavengers. They are not found in the sea for nothing, because they play a vital environmental role.' He pointed out that 'the presence of sharks in Kuwaiti waters is not new, especially in Bneider coastal area -- one of the most prominent marine sites for divers and those interested in marine life. Photos and video clips confirmed the increased activity of sharks in that area, which requires a reconsideration of the way we deal with these creatures.' He said 'studies have proven that sharks are not limited to distant oceans; such as Australia and America, as they have a natural presence in the Arabian Gulf and the Red Sea, with frequent sightings in Kuwaiti waters.' He called for adopting a scientific and environmental approach to understand the nature and behavior of sharks, and to avoid media hype. He clarified that 'sharks are a balanced ecological entity. Scaring people without relying on scientific facts serves no one.' He asserted that 'Kuwait's history has witnessed only a very limited number of shark incidents and most of them were not dangerous; except the danger posed by the white shark, known for its elongated tail.' He believes that the appearance of large sharks could be a sign of the recovery of the Kuwaiti marine environment.
Arab Times
06-05-2025
- General
- Arab Times
Kuwait Diving Team secures coral reefs with 107 new moorings
KUWAIT CITY, May 6: The Kuwait Diving Team, affiliated with the Environmental Voluntary Foundation (EVF), has successfully completed the maintenance of marine moorings on Qaruh Island. This initiative is part of an ongoing, comprehensive project aimed at maintaining marine moorings around coral reef sites to protect and preserve these vital ecosystems. Team leader Waleed Al-Fadhel told KUNA on Tuesday that the team had initiated the periodic maintenance project for marine moorings at coral reef sites along Kuwait's southern islands and coasts. The maintenance work on Qaruh Island has now been completed, with a total of 22 moorings installed around the island. In total, the team has completed the installation of 107 moorings across various Kuwaiti islands and coasts. These moorings are designed with high specifications and durability to accommodate different sizes of boats and yachts. Al-Fadhel noted that many seafarers have taken the initiative to use these moorings, as they are strategically placed around the southern islands and coral reefs to meet both aesthetic and environmental requirements. He emphasized that these moorings serve a crucial purpose by marking coral reef locations, which pose a risk to boats, particularly during low tides. As the first line of defense, the moorings protect the reefs from potential damage caused by improper human practices. Al-Fadhel also highlighted the importance of Kuwait's coral reefs, which are found around the southern coral islands and some coasts. These reefs serve as a sanctuary for marine creatures and fish and provide significant health and economic benefits. Many coastal nations rely on coral reefs for their economic well-being. The team, which includes skilled divers and an integrated maintenance workshop, works diligently to ensure that the project is completed efficiently. They also have boats specifically designated for this environmental initiative. Al-Fadhel described Qaruh as one of Kuwait's most beautiful islands, characterized by its clear waters and dense, diverse coral, including species such as the Arabian branch, giant mass humpback, and table branch. The island also hosts a variety of fish and attracts turtles for egg-laying. He urged fishermen not to fish too close to coral reefs using nets, as this can harm marine life, damage the reefs, and pose a threat to maritime navigation. Such actions also violate environmental laws, he stressed.
Arab Times
23-04-2025
- General
- Arab Times
Kuwait Diving Team removes 8 tons of waste from Ushairij coast
KUWAIT CITY, April 23: The Kuwait Diving Team, affiliated with the Environmental Voluntary Foundation (EVF), has successfully concluded the first phase of its coastal cleanup initiative along the Ushairij coast. During this phase, the team removed eight tons of plastic waste, discarded fishing nets, wood, iron debris, barrels, and tires—materials that pose significant environmental and navigational hazards. Team leader Waleed Al-Fadhel explained that this effort is part of the activities commemorating International Mother Earth Day, observed annually on April 22. He emphasized that Ushairij is a vital environmental area in southern Kuwait Bay, serving as a habitat for wildlife and a crucial stopover for migratory birds traveling from North Asia to Africa. The area also hosts the Umm Al-Naml Island Nature Reserve and holds historical significance for Kuwait. Al-Fadhel noted that the cleanup efforts are expected to continue for several days due to the substantial amount of waste present, requiring coordinated efforts for this comprehensive environmental operation. He highlighted that the team's projects focused on waste removal from Kuwaiti beaches are progressing successfully. This initiative aligns with the team's objectives since its establishment in 1986 and supports the global "Clean Seas" campaign launched by the United Nations Environment Programme's Regional Office for West Asia. The campaign aims to protect seas from plastic and other waste and safeguard marine life. The team is preparing to submit its periodic report to the office, headquartered in Beirut. Al-Fadhel mentioned that the team responds promptly to reports and coordinates directly with relevant government agencies and volunteers to complete the work. Over the past four months, several projects have been completed to remove waste from Kuwaiti coasts, including areas such as East Al-Judayliyyat, Sulaibikhat, Kuwait Towers, Al-Salam, Nuwaiseeb, Al-Zour, Bnaider, and Khiran. He urged beachgoers and the community to contribute to preserving the marine environment, as it is a source of livelihood, and to protect its coasts as tourist destinations while maintaining ecological balance. Al-Fadhel stressed the need for increased environmental monitoring by authorities to deter violators. He expressed gratitude to government agencies assisting in this voluntary and environmental work, notably the Environment Public Authority, the General Directorate of Coast Guard, the Kuwait Ports Authority, Kuwait Municipality, and the Public Authority for Agriculture and Fish Resources, in addition to private sector institutions and volunteers. Al-Fadhel also acknowledged the government's efforts and pioneering environmental initiatives to protect the Ashirj and Kuwait Bay areas. These include removing the fishing village and Ashirj port, limiting industrial activity, and halting overfishing in Kuwait Bay, resulting in the recovery of the coastal environment and the smooth movement of water currents and beach sand. The Kuwait Diving Team continues to play a pivotal role in marine conservation, demonstrating a steadfast commitment to preserving Kuwait's coastal and marine ecosystems through proactive cleanup efforts and community engagement.
Arab Times
25-03-2025
- General
- Arab Times
Kuwaiti Diving Team removes abandoned nets to protect marine life
KUWAIT CITY, March 25: The Kuwaiti Diving Team, affiliated with the Environmental Voluntary Foundation, successfully removed three abandoned fishing nets, each weighing two tons, from Kuwait Bay. In the process, the team rescued trapped fish and other marine creatures. This initiative is part of the team's ongoing efforts to preserve marine life and ensure the safety of shipping lanes, preventing accidents involving boats and ships. Team leader Waleed Al-Fadhel told KUNA on Tuesday that the mission was prompted by the high concentration of abandoned nets in the bay, which poses a danger to marine life. Kuwait Bay is a crucial habitat for fish and an important environmental site. Al-Fadhel explained that special boats were used to retrieve the nets, which contained numerous dead fish, creatures, and seabirds. Some of the nets were found in deeper areas, approximately 13 meters underwater, while others were in shallower regions. The team relies on tidal movements to remove the nets, taking into account weather conditions and sea wave heights. Al-Fadhel expressed the team's gratitude to the organizations that supported this significant effort, including the Kuwait Ports Authority, the Environment Public Authority, the Kuwait Stock Exchange, the General Directorate of the Coast Guard, the Public Authority for Agriculture and Fish Resources, and the marine rescue centers affiliated with the Kuwait Fire Service Directorate. He emphasized that these efforts are part of the global "Clean Seas" environmental campaign, in collaboration with the United Nations Environment Program's Regional Office for West Asia. He also highlighted that the team's projects extend across Kuwait's waters, from the north to the south. These projects include monitoring and protecting coral reefs around Kuwaiti islands and coasts, as well as continuing beach cleaning campaigns in partnership with civil society organizations to raise environmental awareness and promote volunteer work. Al-Fadhel commended the efforts made by the concerned authorities to protect the marine environment and acknowledged the initiative of citizens who report net locations for removal. He urged boat owners to inform the Coast Guard, marine rescue centers affiliated with the Kuwait Fire Service Directorate, or the Kuwait Diving Team about any waste or violations, so that they can be addressed and their harmful effects prevented. He also stressed the need to impose stricter penalties on fishermen who violate marine laws, particularly those fishing with nets in Kuwait Bay. This area has a diverse fish population, and fishing with nets is prohibited to preserve the marine environment, its creatures, and its coasts.
Arab Times
11-03-2025
- Science
- Arab Times
Kuwait Diving Team rescues rare turtle, removes abandoned nets in Bnaider
KUWAIT CITY, March 11: The Kuwaiti Diving Team, affiliated with the Voluntary Environmental Foundation, successfully recovered three tons of abandoned fishing nets from the southern Kuwait Sea near Bnaider. During the operation, the team also rescued stranded marine creatures, including a rare hawksbill turtle, which was delivered to the Scientific Center for necessary care. Team leader Waleed Al-Fadhel told KUNA on Tuesday that the team had received a report about the abandoned nets, which were located three kilometers offshore from Bnaider. The nets posed a threat to both navigation and marine life, prompting the team to act swiftly and remove them. Al-Fadhel explained that the nets were large, requiring several hours to be lifted. He emphasized that this operation is part of the team's ongoing efforts to clean the southern coasts of Kuwait and protect the marine environment. The team's goal is to secure the sea and ensure its safety for marine creatures. Al-Fadhel also urged seagoers to protect sea turtles, highlighting that they are both rare and endangered. He warned against the dangers of waste being discarded in the water, particularly abandoned nets that can entangle turtles, leading to suffocation and death. He pointed out that transparent plastic bags floating in the water are also hazardous, as sea turtles often mistake them for jellyfish, which are a primary food source. He further mentioned that turtle nesting sites in Kuwait have significantly declined. Nowadays, turtles only nest on Qaruh Island, located southeast of the Kuwaiti Sea. While researchers closely monitor these nesting sites, turtles are still found across Kuwaiti waters and can often be spotted by seagoers and divers. Al-Fadhel explained that there are seven species of sea turtles worldwide, of which only two — the hawksbill turtle and the green turtle — are found in the Kuwaiti Sea. These turtles can grow up to two meters in length and weigh as much as 900 kilograms. Since its establishment in 1986, the Kuwaiti Diving Team has carried out numerous operations to protect and rescue sea turtles. Notable efforts include difficult marine rescue missions to free turtles trapped in cooling station basins and abandoned fishing nets. In addition to these rescue operations, the team has also played a key role in awareness campaigns aimed at schoolchildren and the broader community. These campaigns, which include social media programs, publications, films, and interactive workshops, focus on the importance of turtle conservation and the need to protect these creatures from harm. Al-Fadhel also mentioned the team's participation in an integrated environmental program on Heron Island in Australia, where they learned about advanced turtle nest protection programs implemented near the Great Barrier Reef. He expressed his gratitude for the continued support and efforts of government agencies, scientific institutions, and environmental organizations in Kuwait. Their collective interest in tracking the movement of sea turtles — both locally and across the Gulf — using satellite tracking devices, as well as their commitment to international agreements for turtle protection, was also acknowledged.
