Kuwaiti diving team removes nets, rescues rare turtle in Bnaider
The Kuwaiti Diving Team from the Voluntary Environmental Foundation removed three tons of abandoned fishing nets from the southern Kuwaiti waters in Bnaider, rescuing stranded marine life, including a rare Hawksbill Turtle, which was handed over to the Scientific Center for necessary care.
Team leader Walid Al-Fadel told the Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) today, Tuesday that the diving team responded to a report about fishing nets drifting three kilometers off the coast of Bnaider. The team promptly intervened to remove the nets, recognizing their threat to navigation and marine life.
Al-Fadel stated that the nets were massive and required hours to remove. He emphasized that this effort is part of the team’s ongoing plan to clean Kuwait’s southern coasts, protect the marine environment, and ensure safer seas.
Regarding protecting rare and endangered sea turtles, Al-Fadel urged sea-goers to avoid littering in the water. He warned that entanglement in fishing nets can cause turtles to suffocate, while floating plastic bags pose a serious threat, as turtles often mistake them for jellyfish, a key part of their diet, leading to starvation and death.
Al-Fadel noted that turtle nesting sites in Kuwait have declined, with Qaruh Island in the southeast being the only remaining nesting site. Researchers actively monitor these sites, though turtles continue to inhabit Kuwaiti waters and are frequently spotted by sea-goers and divers.
Furthermore, Al-Fadel mentioned that out of the seven species of sea turtles found worldwide, only two; the Hawksbill Turtle and the Green Turtle, are present in Kuwaiti waters. The green turtle, in particular, can grow up to two meters in length and weigh as much as 900 kilograms.
Al-Fadel highlighted that since its establishment in 1986, the diving team has been actively involved in protecting and rescuing sea turtles, undertaking complex marine operations to free them from cooling station basins and abandoned fishing nets, as well as ensuring their safety in marine facilities.
