Kuwait Diving Team lifts two tons of waste off Umm al Namil island

KUWAIT, March 11 (KUNA) -- Kuwait Dive Team (KDT), affiliated with the Environmental Voluntary Foundation (EVF), lifted two tons of fishing nets and other neglected materials and waste from Umm al Namil island seabed and beach.
Head of KDT marine operations Waleed Al-Shatti told KUNA Wednesday that the project of Umm Al-Namil cleanup, one the team's important operations, was conducted in coordination with the islands team affiliated with Kuwait City Municipality.
Al-Shatti added the team used small boats to reach the island where the divers succeeded in lifting the fishing nets, plastic waste, dead birds and sunken boats.
He added the first phase of the operation was conducted during the high tide to reach the island easily, stressing on the continuation of the team's task to carry out the cleanup operation of this island as well as other Kuwaiti islands.
The 569,000 square meter Umm al Namil is located within Kuwait Bay, is only 600 meters from the Kuwaiti mainland, and ranks fifth in size after Boubiyan, Failaka, Warbah and Miskan.
It is the habitat for diverse marine creatures such as crabs, shrimps and fish, as well as being a bed nest for large flocks of birds. (end) zak.ha