KUWAIT: The Environment Public Authority (EPA) is examining Kuwait's waters in a follow-up of the fish mortality in Kuwait Bay, an EPA official said yesterday. A survey mission conducted from the Sabah Al Ahmad Base, All-Fintas, to the bay found little amounts of dead fish near the Shuwaikh Port, EPA's Deputy Director General for Technical Monitoring Affairs Eng Mohammed Al-Enezi said. The mission also collected some samples of seawater and plankton and sent them to labs. Al-Enezi, who is also deputy head and spokesman of the national committee for fish mortality, added that they held a meeting - chaired by the Public Authority for Agriculture Affairs and Fish Resources (PAAFR). Two teams were formed, one for monitoring and control, and the other for collecting and analyzing data, he said.

In addition, the meeting approved the activation of the national plan on fish mortality, as well as defining role of each of the member authorities in the team. The EPA is strictly enforcing the environment law and is dealing with the issue with full transparency, Al-Enzi stressed. He said that there are some 50 sewers still pouring their waste water in the Bay.  According to Al-Enezi, some official and private bodies have been referred to the Prosecution pertaining to the issue. More will follow over the coming few days.  Unluckily, this contamination problem dates back to about 30 years, he said, adding that up to 100,000 square meters of untreated water is poured into the Bay.  The EPA has lifted up to 60 tons of catfish dead fish over that period. - KUNA