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.