The Kuwait Dive Team, an environmental volunteer organization, announced Wednesday the successful completion of the second phase of its southern coastal cleanup project, removing 9 tons of plastic waste, abandoned wooden materials, and discarded fishing nets from critical marine habitats.

Operation Highlights:

• Cleaned Beaches: Al-Bunider, Al-Zour, Al-Khiran, and Al-Nuwaiseeb

• Hazards Removed:
  ✓ A drifting buoy threatening maritime navigation
  ✓ Large vehicle tires
  ✓ Dead sea turtle (found at Al-Zour beach)

• Equipment Used: Transport trucks, excavators, and rescue boats with support from Kuwait Rescue Team (Sabah Falcons)

Global Context:
Part of the UN Environment Programme's Clean Seas campaign in West Asia to:

• Combat plastic pollution killing 1 million seabirds/year (UN data)

• Protect endangered species (25% marine creatures die from plastic ingestion)

Kuwait's Marine Crisis:

• Only 2 surviving turtle species in Kuwaiti waters:

  1. Hawksbill (critically endangered)

  2. Green sea turtles (up to 2m long, 900kg)

• Nesting sites reduced to Qaruh Island (southeast Kuwait)

Team Leader Walid Al-Fadhel's Statement:
"Ghost nets suffocate turtles, while floating plastic bags mimic jellyfish—their main food source. Since 1986, we've conducted high-risk rescues from cooling stations and abandoned nets."

Ongoing Efforts:

• Upcoming cleanups at Al-Julaia, Al-Jahra Reserve, Al-Shuwaikh & Al-Asharj

• School programs/social media campaigns on turtle conservation

• Satellite tracking collaboration with research institutions

International Cooperation:

• Participation in Australia's Heron Island conservation program

• Compliance with global treaties on marine protection

Call to Action:

• Public urged to report turtle sightings

• Strict enforcement of Kuwait's environmental laws

• Fishermen partnership to prevent gear loss