Kuwait City: The Kuwait Dive Team, affiliated with the Environmental Voluntary Foundation, announced the successful removal of an abandoned fishing net weighing 200 kilograms from coral reefs located in Um Deera, north of Qaruh Island, at a depth of nine meters.
According to Kuwait News Agency, Waleed Al-Fadhel, the head of the team, stated that the abandoned net had become entangled with coral reefs, causing harm to marine life and damage to the coral itself. Al-Fadhel explained that the team's divers managed to carefully lift the net without harming the reef, utilizing their expertise with lifting bags, air-filled sacks, and various diving equipment to complete the operation.
Al-Fadhel emphasized that coral reefs rely on sunlight and water currents for survival, and abandoned nets can suffocate coral, leading to its death, and kill fish and other organisms living in the reef environment. This poses threats to biodiversity, environmental balance, maritime navigation, and diver safety. He described the Um Deera reef site as comprising three adjacent areas of varying sizes, located 13 kilometers north of Qaruh Island and 50 kilometers from Khiran's coast, known for its clear waters, attracting divers and fishing enthusiasts.
Furthermore, Al-Fadhel urged the public to promptly report any sightings of abandoned fishing nets to the Kuwait Dive Team, the Coast Guard, or the Environment Public Authority to ensure swift removal and minimize environmental damage and navigational risks. Regarding the team's ongoing coral conservation projects, Al-Fadhel highlighted initiatives such as the Marine Moorings Project, with 108 marine moorings established, a project to remove nets, the Jaber Al-Kuwait Reserves for Sea Creatures project involving 25 artificial reef colonies, and the Coral Planting project.