Environmental volunteers remove massive marine waste in five-day operation

The Diving Team of the Environmental Voluntary Foundation has concluded a major environmental campaign along the Al-Zour coastline in southern Kuwait, removing approximately four tons of marine debris, including plastic waste, wood remnants, abandoned fishing nets, heavy ropes, and barrels.

Team leader Walid Al-Fadhel said the Al-Zour operation marked the official launch of the foundation’s winter environmental campaign series, which aims to clean Kuwait’s coastlines and islands over the coming months.

He explained that Al-Zour was selected as the starting point due to its ecological significance and its role as a natural habitat for diverse marine life, reports Al-Rai daily.

The five-day campaign was carefully planned to coincide with periods of low tide, allowing volunteers to access hard-to-reach areas and efficiently extract accumulated waste. Al-Fadhel noted that the initiative comes at a critical time, as beach activity increases during the winter season, raising the risk of further pollution.

He added that strong northern winds common during this period often push marine waste toward the shore, making proactive cleanup efforts essential to prevent long-term environmental damage and protect coastal ecosystems.

Al-Fadhel called on citizens and residents to take advantage of Kuwait’s mild winter weather to participate in volunteer fieldwork, urging families and youth to use upcoming official holidays as opportunities to contribute to environmental protection efforts.

He emphasized that winter provides ideal conditions for physical volunteer activities that serve both the environment and the broader values of civic responsibility.

“These campaigns are not temporary cleanups,” he said, “but a cornerstone of environmental sustainability and a direct defense against plastic pollution and discarded fishing gear that threaten marine life.”

Protecting nature, Al-Fadhel stressed, represents one of the most valuable investments in the future and sends a clear message to coming generations about the importance of safeguarding Kuwait’s natural resources.

He also urged beachgoers and park visitors to act responsibly by ensuring no waste is left behind, noting that environmental preservation begins with individual behavior.

The Environmental Voluntary Foundation affirmed that its diving teams will continue their intensive cleanup operations throughout the winter season, covering all coastal areas and supporting community-driven initiatives aimed at keeping Kuwait’s marine environment clean and sustainable.