Latest news with #CleanSeas
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.
