The Kuwait Diving Team, part of the Environmental Voluntary Foundation, successfully completed the first phase of its project to clean the southern coasts of the country. In this phase, the team removed five tons of plastic waste, wood, and fishing nets. They focused on key coastal areas, including Bnaider, Al-Zour, Al-Khiran, and Al-Nuwaiseeb.
Waleed Al-Fadhel, the team leader, shared that they also removed three stranded buoys that posed a danger to maritime navigation. The cleanup was prompted by seasonal southern winds, which caused high waves and displaced waste. Later, the winds shifting north anchored debris along the coasts.
Al-Fadhel emphasized the environmental dangers of plastic waste. He cited a United Nations report that reveals plastic causes the death of one million birds and 250,000 marine creatures annually, including endangered turtles.
The team used a combination of equipment, boats, and vehicles to pull the waste and ensure its removal. The efforts will continue with future cleanups in areas such as Al-Jadilyat and Jahra Reserve. These efforts are in cooperation with the Environment Public Authority. Al-Fadhel also highlighted the team’s commitment to retrieving boats and fishing nets from coral reefs. Additionally, the team will conduct awareness campaigns through lectures and publications to engage the public in preserving the marine environment.
