Kuwait Diving Team: Preparing 35 Marine Moorings to Protect Coral Reefs and Marine Environment in Failaka Island
The Kuwait Diving Team announced the preparation of 35 marine moorings in Failaka Island as part of a preventive project to protect the marine environment and coral reefs from destruction.
Translated by Qiyas from كويت نيوز — Original source
The Kuwaiti team of the Environmental Volunteer Mubarak Al-Kabeer announced the installation of 35 sea moorings on Failaka Island as part of a project to install and maintain sea moorings around the southern islands and key coral reef sites, aiming to protect the marine environment and its components.
Waleed Al-Shatti, the team’s marine operations manager, told the Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) on Thursday that this project is among the most important preventive environmental initiatives to protect coral reefs from destruction and breakage caused by anchoring boats and yachts using traditional methods such as anchors or buoys.
Al-Shatti added that the moorings provide a safe and easy means of securing boats and yachts at anchor without relying on traditional methods, while also protecting coral reef sites from debris such as fishing nets and other waste.
He explained that the moorings help island visitors identify safe boundaries for shallow areas, preventing collisions. He noted that the project requires significant efforts and continuous monitoring by the team throughout the year.
Al-Shatti stated that the sea mooring project began in 1997 and has been developed over the years to reach its current configuration, which offers the highest levels of safety and durability even under the most challenging weather conditions. He emphasized that the moorings are environmentally friendly, with a total of 130 moorings installed at all marine sites with high coral density.
He pointed out that the project has had a clear impact in rehabilitating anchoring sites, noting that the team’s experience in this field is pioneering globally and has been shared through documentaries, photographs, and informational materials.
Al-Shatti praised the efforts of the General Directorate of Coast Guard, the Public Authority for Environmental Affairs, and the Public Authority for Agriculture and Fisheries Resources in enforcing laws protecting the marine environment and ensuring maritime safety.
He commended the role of sea users who comply with marine life conservation regulations, expressing gratitude to all supporting entities for their commitment to social responsibility.
Regarding Failaka Island, he described it as one of Kuwait’s beautiful islands, located 30 kilometers from the Zour coast. It covers an area of 140,000 square meters, with a length of 370 meters and a width of 300 meters. The island is known for its clear waters, fine sands, and surrounding diverse coral reefs at depths ranging from 2 to 20 meters. It also hosts flocks of rare migratory birds.
Al-Shatti added that Failaka and its rich natural life constitute a natural reserve where interference with its natural components is prohibited. The team has carried out several environmental operations to save it, including removing nets entangled in coral reefs, salvaging sunken boats and yachts, collecting waste, and installing sea moorings for anchoring boats and yachts to avoid breaking coral reefs.
