Diving Team volunteers lead major coastal cleanup to protect migratory birds and marine life

Young members of the Kuwaiti Diving Team, affiliated with the Environmental Voluntary Foundation, successfully removed nearly one ton of plastic waste from the coastline of the Jahra Nature Reserve in cooperation with the Environment Public Authority (EPA), as part of ongoing efforts to protect marine ecosystems and migratory birds.

Team leader Waleed Al-Fadhel said the young members of the group carried out a field visit to the reserve — one of Kuwait’s most important ecological sites — ahead of the spring migration season. The reserve serves as a vital stopover for millions of migratory birds, offering a safe habitat during their seasonal journeys.

Al-Fadhel noted that the initiative reflects the growing environmental awareness among young volunteers and highlights the importance of maintaining clean coastlines and protected areas, reports Al-Anba daily.

He stressed that volunteer campaigns will continue to remove pollutants and abandoned fishing nets that threaten marine life surrounding the reserve.

He added that regular patrols conducted by the team, in coordination with the EPA, have achieved tangible environmental results along the Jahra Nature Reserve coast and in the Al-Jadiliyat area.

Dozens of abandoned fishing nets — considered a direct hazard to wildlife — were removed in addition to large quantities of harmful plastic debris to ensure a safer environment for birds and marine organisms.

The team also carried out field rescue operations in muddy and coastal zones, intervening quickly to clear hazardous waste and conduct landfill work aimed at preserving biodiversity.

According to Al-Fadhel, cooperation between the diving team and the EPA spans nearly three decades, reflecting a longstanding partnership dedicated to protecting Kuwait’s natural environment and coastal resources.

Mishari Al-Sanousi, head of the youth group within the Kuwaiti Diving Team, emphasized the importance of maintaining ecological balance during this sensitive period as Kuwait prepares to receive large numbers of migratory birds.

He said safeguarding wildlife is a shared responsibility that requires avoiding practices that could disturb natural habitats.

Al-Sanousi described the visit as more than an environmental tour, calling it a message of commitment to nature and a reaffirmation of the team’s dedication to protecting Kuwait’s coasts. During the visit, volunteers identified bird species currently present in the reserve and issued an appeal to the public to support conservation efforts and preserve the surrounding marine environment.

For her part, Sheikha Al-Ibrahim, EPA Director of Public Relations and Media, said the campaign forms part of the Authority’s ongoing programs to protect nature reserves and preserve biodiversity.

She praised the strong cooperation with the Kuwaiti Diving Team’s youth group and highlighted the role of community participation in environmental protection.

Al-Ibrahim revealed that approximately 40 bags of waste were collected during the campaign, underscoring the importance of volunteerism and public partnership in supporting national environmental initiatives.

She affirmed the Authority’s continued commitment to monitoring, cleaning, and awareness programs aimed at preserving the Jahra Nature Reserve as one of Kuwait’s most significant environmental landmarks.