Diving team retrieves abandoned fishing net weighing a quarter of a ton in Al-Arefjan

The diving team of the Al-Mubara Environmental Volunteer Association successfully carried out a large-scale environmental operation, resulting in the removal of substantial quantities of abandoned fishing nets entangled in coral reefs at the “Arefjan” marine site.

Team leader Waleed Al-Fadel told KUNA that the operation successfully retrieved abandoned fishing nets weighing a quarter of a ton from a depth of 12 meters below the water surface, covering an area of 30 square meters, and rescued the living organisms trapped within them.

He explained that the operation is a continuation of the team’s sustained volunteer efforts over many years, aimed at cleaning the entire Kuwaiti sea, protecting marine environmental components, and ensuring navigational safety for boats and ships.

Al-Fadel added that abandoned fishing nets, commonly known as “ghost nets,” pose a serious threat to the ecosystem. They suffocate and destroy coral reefs, which rely on sunlight, while also trapping fish and other marine creatures, leading to their death.

He emphasized that the success of the operation in “Arefjan” represents a new step toward restoring ecological balance in this vital area. Beyond its environmental impact, removing these entangled nets directly contributes to securing waterways and ensuring navigational safety for sea users and diving enthusiasts, helping them avoid incidents involving nets tangling with ship engines or obstructing towed movements.