The Environment Public Authority (EPA) organized an inspection campaign on some of the country’s coasts, and issued violations to people who were caught collecting oysters, snails and shells from the beaches of Kuwait and the Kuwaiti islands, for violating the Environmental Protection Law.
Al-Qabas quoting Director of the Public Relations and Media Department at the authority, Sheikha Al-Ibrahim, told Kuwait News Agency, the EPA inspectors issued citations to several people who were caught collecting shells because the shells contain organisms and they are considered a haven of food for some creatures and helps maintain ecological balance among the marine organisms.
She added that the minimum penalty set by the environmental law for collecting these shells is between 250 and 5,000 dinars, and called on everyone to abide by the environmental protection law and help protect the environment and avoid punishment.
Al-Ibrahim explained collecting oysters, snails and shells is a widespread phenomenon among citizens and residents, and it has increased in Kuwait recently and is used for multiple purposes, including decoration or for memorial purposes, but it violates the environmental law according to Article (100).
She stated that this article stipulates that “it is forbidden to hunt, kill, catch, collect, harm, possess or transport wild and marine organisms, whether live or dead, or harm the young, eggs, nests or habitats of these organisms. The executive regulations of this law specify the types and numbers of organisms allowed for hunting them in specific seasons and places, with the exception of hunting for scientific purposes, after the approval of the concerned authorities in coordination with the Authority.