'Al-Ghawwas' Salvages Abandoned Fishing Net Weighing a Quarter Ton in 'Arawijan'

The Kuwaiti diving team affiliated with the Environmental Volunteer Foundation (Al-Mabra) successfully carried out an extensive environmental operation that resulted in the recovery of large quantities of abandoned fishing nets entangled in coral reefs at the Arwajan marine site.

Team leader Waleed Al-Fadil told the Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) on Saturday that the operation successfully retrieved abandoned fishing nets weighing a quarter of a ton, located at a depth of 12 meters below the water surface and covering an area of 30 square meters, thereby rescuing marine organisms trapped within them.

He explained that the operation is a continuation of the persistent volunteer efforts led by the team for many years, aimed at fully cleaning the waters of Kuwait, protecting marine environmental components, and ensuring navigational safety for boats and ships.

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

He emphasized that the success of the operation at Arwajan represents a new step toward restoring ecological balance in this vital area. In addition to its environmental impact, removing these entangled nets directly contributes to securing waterways and ensuring navigational safety for mariners and divers, thereby avoiding incidents of nets tangling with ship engines or impeding movement.

Al-Fadil noted that the Arwajan site hosts several species of beautiful coral reefs and is a popular destination for divers and fishing enthusiasts. It also contains the wreck of a large iron ship that has been there for 40 years.

He affirmed the team’s commitment to protecting coral reefs by establishing sustainable mooring points for boats and yachts to prevent anchor dropping, which can break coral. The team also monitors the health of the reefs, removes debris and fishing nets from them, and plans to issue a scientific report on their growth at this site in the coming days.

Al-Fadil further confirmed that the team will continue its multi-year efforts through a comprehensive national action plan aimed at removing all fishing debris and abandoned nets from all Kuwaiti marine sites. The team relies on the efforts of its national volunteer staff, driven by a sense of social and environmental responsibility toward their country.

He called on mariners, especially those at coral reef sites, to report any entangled fishing nets to the Kuwaiti diving team, the Coast Guard Administration, or the Public Authority for Environmental Affairs, so they can be removed to reduce their destructive environmental impact and navigational hazards. He also urged adherence to navigational laws and consideration of environmental aspects.