Arabian Times News Network
The Kuwait Dive Team, operating under the Environmental Voluntary Foundation, marked World Oceans Day on June 8 by reaffirming its commitment to safeguarding the country’s marine environment through a series of cleanup campaigns and environmental initiatives conducted in cooperation with the Environment Public Authority (EPA).
Speaking on the occasion, team leader Waleed Al-Fadhel said the activities were part of the group’s ongoing mission to protect marine ecosystems and wildlife while supporting this year’s World Oceans Day theme, “Strong Marine Protected Areas for Our Blue Planet.” The initiatives focused on preserving Kuwait’s coastal and marine habitats from pollution and environmental degradation.
Among the key activities carried out were beach cleanups, the removal of harmful waste, and the recovery of abandoned fishing nets from important marine sites. The team also collected more than five tons of dead fish from various coastal areas, helping to reduce environmental risks and maintain public health standards.
Al-Fadhel highlighted a rapid response operation at Al-Bidaa Beach, where divers removed large quantities of dead small fish that had washed ashore. The cleanup helped prevent unpleasant odors, reduced potential health hazards, and improved conditions for beach visitors.
The team also conducted an extensive cleanup campaign at Fahaheel Marina, removing abandoned fishing nets, plastic debris, ropes, and wooden materials that posed dangers to marine organisms and created obstacles for boat navigation.
In Kuwait Bay, a crucial habitat for fish and other marine species in the Arabian Gulf, the team collaborated with the Jahra Reserve administration to clear plastic waste and discarded fishing gear from the reserve’s coastline. The effort aimed to protect migratory birds and preserve the ecological balance of the area.
Al-Fadhel stressed that protecting Kuwait’s marine environment requires collective action from government agencies, the private sector, fishermen, and the public. He urged all stakeholders to adopt responsible environmental practices to ensure the sustainability of marine resources for future generations.
