ShareKUWAIT: The Kuwait Dive Team, operating under the Environmental Voluntary Foundation (EVF), has completed maintenance works on marine mooring buoys surrounding Qaruh Island, as part of ongoing efforts to protect Kuwait’s coral reefs. Speaking to KUNA on Tuesday, team leader Waleed Al-Fadhel said the team carried out operations across multiple coral reef locations, successfully completing repairs in the southern islands and coastal areas. He noted that a total of 22 mooring buoys have now been installed around Qaruh Island, bringing the team’s overall number of installed buoys to 107. These buoys are designed to high durability standards and can accommodate various types of boats and yachts.
Al-Fadhel highlighted that the mooring buoys are widely used by seafarers and have been strategically distributed to preserve the environment and reduce harm to coral ecosystems. The buoys also serve to mark reef locations, particularly during low tide, and help mitigate the impact of human activities that can lead to coral degradation. He stressed the ecological and economic importance of coral reefs, describing them as essential habitats for marine life and a key natural resource for many coastal communities around the world. In Kuwait, coral reefs support biodiversity and contribute to environmental sustainability.
The dive team, Al-Fadhel noted, remains committed to its mission, with divers and a dedicated maintenance unit working daily alongside specialized vessels to ensure the highest operational standards are met. He described Qaruh as one of Kuwait’s most picturesque islands — the smallest and southernmost — renowned for its clear waters, rich coral formations, and as a nesting site for sea turtles. Al-Fadhel concluded by urging fishermen to refrain from deploying nets near coral reefs, warning that such practices not only damage marine ecosystems but also pose navigational risks and violate environmental regulations. - KUNA
