KUWAIT CITY, April 28: The Kuwaiti Diving Team, under the Environmental Voluntary Foundation, successfully removed a 200-kilogram abandoned fishing net from the coral reefs of Umm Deira, located nine meters underwater, north of Qaruh Island.

In a statement to KUNA on Monday, team leader Waleed Al-Fadhel explained that the abandoned nets had become entangled in the coral reefs, threatening marine life, including fish and other marine creatures, as well as causing significant damage to the reefs themselves.

Al-Fadhel noted that the team’s experienced divers were able to extract the nets without causing any further harm to the site, using air bags, backpacks, and various other diving equipment to safely lift the nets.

The team leader emphasized that coral reefs rely on sunlight and water currents to thrive, and the presence of the nets posed several dangers. They suffocate and kill coral, disrupt fish and other organisms, and negatively affect the ecological balance. Additionally, the nets present a hazard to marine navigation and divers.

Umm Deira's coral reef site consists of three adjacent areas of varying sizes, located 13 kilometers north of Qaruh Island and 50 kilometers from the Al-Khiran coast. It is a popular destination for diving and fishing enthusiasts, known for its pristine waters. Notable coral species in the area include the giant table coral, giant blocky coral, table coral, and mekha coral, while common fish species include anfouz, emad karb, shenino, faskar, and ynam.

Al-Fadhel urged adherence to official fishing laws and encouraged seafarers to avoid fishing near coral reefs to protect marine life. He also called on the public to report any sightings of entangled fishing nets to the Kuwait Diving Team, the Coast Guard, or the Environment Public Authority to facilitate their swift removal and minimize their environmental and navigational dangers.

The team is involved in several coral reef conservation projects, including the "Marine Moorings" initiative, which involves 108 mooring sites at coral reefs, the "Removal of Nets from Coral Reefs" project, and the "Jaber Al-Kuwait Marine Reserves" project, which features 25 artificial coral colonies. Other efforts include coral planting, boat recovery, and monitoring the health of coral reef sites in collaboration with the University of Queensland in Australia.

Al-Fadhel also mentioned that the team distributes publications and photographs to raise environmental awareness within the community, emphasizing the importance of preserving Kuwait’s marine ecosystem.