KUWAIT: Public Authority for Agricultural Affairs and Fish Resources’ workers inspect territorial waters. —KUNA

KUWAIT: The Public Authority for Agricultural Affairs and Fish Resources (PAAAFR) said yesterday that "only a group of 'chem' fish have recently perished" in territorial waters. All fish in the local markets are safe' and only a group of 'chem' fish have been affected by the recent fish deaths, said PAAAFR's General Director Faisal Al-Hasawi.

PAAAFR has formed a panel to determine the cause of the fish deaths at sea, he said, adding that a team of comprising members of state authorities has surveyed Kuwait Bay to examine these cases, indicating that it was the first time that deep-sea fish perished. He was alluding to 'chem,' as the Kuwaiti natives call it. Kuwaitis do not commonly eat the fish, which looks similar in appearance to but not to be confused with the catfish.

With an experience of examining the fish deahts phenomena in 2001 and 2003, PAAAFR has set up an operation room and central laboratories to examine samples of the dead fish. Yousuf Al-Najm, PAAAFR's Deputy General Director for Fish Resources' Affairs, said PAAAFR has patrolled the waters round the clock to keep close follow-up on the phenomenon.

Up to 99 percent of the perished fish are 'chems,' he said affirming that "this phenomenon is receding." The dead fish are being cleaned up so that other fish would not feed on them and cause expansion of the phenomenon. - KUNA