Al-Watani Supports the Coral Reef Protection Campaign
National Bank of Kuwait has finalized an environmental and strategic partnership with the Kuwait Diving Team, affiliated with the Environmental Volunteer Foundation, as part of the bank’s ongoing commitment to the principles of social responsibility and support for initiatives aimed at achieving sustainable environmental development and protecting natural resources in Kuwait.
The partnership aims to support and enhance the Marine Mooring project, one of the most prominent environmental initiatives dedicated to protecting coral reefs in Kuwait’s territorial waters, particularly in sensitive marine sites hosting natural coral colonies, including the islands of Qaruh, Umm Al-Maradim, and Kubbar, as well as several marine sites along the shores of Al-Khiran and Al-Zour.
This partnership supports the Kuwait Diving Team’s role over the years in implementing marine environmental conservation programs and projects, foremost among them the maintenance and installation of environmentally friendly marine moorings, which help mitigate damage to coral reefs caused by the dropping of anchors by ships, yachts, and leisure boats in their natural habitats.
The Marine Mooring project aims to provide safe and sustainable alternatives for boat mooring, thereby contributing to the protection of marine ecosystems and preserving the biodiversity characteristic of Kuwait’s waters.
The marine moorings used in the project feature precise, internationally certified technical specifications. They are installed on the seabed in a manner that ensures no harm is done to coral reefs or surrounding marine habitats. They are also designed to withstand various marine conditions and absorb shocks from boat movements and waves, thereby reducing the likelihood of coral uprooting or breakage.
Furthermore, the moorings are manufactured from environmentally friendly materials with a long operational lifespan, and they do not release any harmful substances or pollutants into the marine environment, aligning with global best practices in coastal and marine ecosystem protection.
Commenting on this occasion, Talal Al-Attiyah, Vice President – Head of Public Relations and Events Management, stated: “We are proud of our strategic partnership with the Kuwait Diving Team, which serves as a leading national model in voluntary environmental work and marine conservation in Kuwait. Our support for the Marine Mooring project stems from our belief in the importance of preserving natural resources and sensitive ecosystems, particularly coral reefs, which form a fundamental element in sustaining marine life and biodiversity.”
National Bank of Kuwait called upon all sea visitors, fishing enthusiasts, boat owners, and yacht operators to adhere to using the designated floating moorings when visiting islands and marine sites containing coral reefs, and to avoid mooring boats directly above them, in order to contribute to preserving this important natural resource and ensuring its sustainability.
The bank emphasized that protecting coral reefs and the associated marine organisms represents a shared responsibility requiring the concerted efforts of various institutions and individuals, given the pivotal role these ecosystems play in maintaining ecological balance and sustaining marine life in Kuwait.
