Latest news with #KuwaitiDivingTeam
Arab Times
4 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
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.
Arab Times
19-02-2025
- General
- Arab Times
Rare Dolphins Sighted Near Kuwait's Umm Al-Naml Island
KUWAIT CITY, Feb 19: The Kuwaiti Diving Team of the Environmental Voluntary Foundation recently spotted a large group of dolphins, both adults and juveniles, near Umm Al-Naml Island, south of Kuwait Bay. This marks the first recorded sighting of such a gathering in the area. Walid Al-Shatti, the team's marine operations officer, told the Kuwait News Agency on Wednesday that during a routine visit to the island—aimed at cleaning it of plastic waste and discarded fishing nets in cooperation with the General Administration of the Coast Guard—the team encountered a large group of dolphins at a depth of three meters. Al-Shatti noted that such an event had never been observed in the vicinity before. He suggested that the presence of dolphins in such significant numbers could be attributed to the authorities' decision to ban fishing and the use of nets around Umm Al-Naml Island and its southern waters. This restriction has led to a decrease in boats and seafarers in the southern part of Kuwait Bay, positively impacting marine life. He explained that the dolphins observed were Indian Ocean humpback dolphins, a coastal species that primarily feeds on fish and other marine creatures. These dolphins are characterized by a distinctive hump located just before their dorsal fin. Al-Shatti further stated that this species is classified as endangered by the World Conservation Organization. He also highlighted the presence of other marine mammals in Kuwait's coastal and open sea environments, such as the daqs and the Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphin. He emphasized that Kuwait Bay serves as a vital breeding ground for various organisms and plays a crucial role in supporting biodiversity within Kuwait's marine ecosystem. "Therefore, the presence of marine mammals in this area is significant from an environmental perspective," he said. Al-Shatti urged visitors to Kuwait Bay to avoid disturbing these marine creatures due to their ecological importance and rarity. He also stressed the need to continue designating Umm Al-Naml Island and its coasts as a nature reserve. As the fourth-largest island in Kuwait, Umm Al-Naml serves as an essential stop for migratory birds and is home to rich biodiversity and numerous historical artifacts.
