Diving Team Launches Campaign at Kuwait Bay Coinciding with World Cleanup Day

The Kuwaiti Diving Team, under the auspices of the Environmental Voluntary Foundation, announced the launch of an environmental campaign to clean the Kuwait Gulf, as part of its continued intensive field efforts to purify the Gulf and the country’s coastlines from all pollutants, coinciding with the World Cleanup Day.

Waleed Al-Fadl, the team’s president and chairman of the board of directors of the Environmental Voluntary Foundation, told KUNA that this global environmental event, which falls on September 20, brings together millions of volunteers to protect nature on coastlines and beaches from the dangers of plastic and waste that threaten both marine life and humans.

Al-Fadl added that since its establishment in 1986, the team has prioritized the protection of the marine environment and the safety of maritime navigation. It has successfully salvaged hundreds of sunken boats and ships, and removed hundreds of tons of waste and abandoned fishing nets, known as “ghost nets,” which pose a serious threat to the safety of ships and destroy sensitive ecosystems, particularly the unique coral reef sites in Kuwait.

He clarified that the team works in coordination with relevant government authorities to clean Kuwait’s coastlines and remove waste from the Kuwait Gulf, whether along the shores of Ashirij and Salwa, or by cleaning the natural reserve in Al-Jahra in partnership with the reserve’s administration under the Public Authority for Environmental Affairs.

He noted that these natural sites, which witness heavy passage of migratory birds or serve as habitats for endemic species, are a fundamental pillar of global ecological balance and a safeguard for biodiversity. They also act as a vital lifeline connecting the world’s continents through complex migration routes that ensure the continuity and integrity of ecosystems.

He stated that the Kuwait Gulf represents an environmental and historical heritage, serving as the primary source and first supplier for the country’s water desalination and power generation plants, making it the main driver of all infrastructure, industrial, and developmental activities.

He said that the Gulf and its surrounding areas host the most important ports and commercial waterways, and represent a crucial maritime hub for import and export movements, shipbuilding, and logistics services that link Kuwait to regional and global markets.

He added that the Gulf is classified as the second-largest nursery for fish and shrimp in the world, making it a natural reservoir of aquatic wealth and a primary source for supporting the local fishing sector and ensuring national food security.

He explained that the northern areas of the Gulf, such as the Subayya region, offer promising investment opportunities through sustainable development projects, eco-tourism, and the utilization of the area’s unique geological and historical features to revitalize the tourism and leisure sectors.

He emphasized that the team’s vision is to achieve a Kuwaiti Gulf completely free of waste. This serious environmental work reflects the team’s core objectives, which consistently aim to stimulate and encourage a culture of volunteerism among members of Kuwaiti society across various fields, and to transform environmental responsibility into a sustainable societal behavior.

Al-Fadl praised the efforts of all volunteers and supporting entities, reiterating the call for beachgoers and fishermen to strictly comply with environmental laws and avoid discarding nets and plastic waste, in order to ensure the safety of the marine environment and the sustainability of its resources for future generations.