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Kuwaiti divers examine coral reefs off Bahrain

KUWAIT, Jan 16 (KUNA) -- Kuwaiti Dive Team (KDT), affiliated with the Environmental Voluntary Foundation (EVF), has recently examined deteriorating condition of coral reefs off Bahrain.
Kuwait Dive Team Chairman Waleed Al-Fadhel told KUNA Tuesday that KDT visited Fasht Al Adhm reefs that stretch across the waters between Bahrain and Qatar, partaking in clean-up of the shores, particularly west Al- Malikiyah (Northern Governorate).
Al-Fadhel indicated that the mission, the third of its kind to a GCC country, would be capped by submitting a report to CoralWatch organization.
CoralWatch is based at University of Queensland, in Brisbane, Australia. It guides nations on maintaining coral reefs.
Historically, coral reefs of Bahrain were among the most extensive in the southern basin of the Arabian Gulf. However, they have undergone significant decline in the last four decades as a result of large-scale coastal development and elevated sea surface temperature.
They mainly stretch along the northern and northeastern shores. Bahrain risks losing all its coral reefs unless action is taken immediately.
The losses are apparently due to a "bed of rubble," caused by construction works, in Fasht Al Adhm.
KDT has recently visited Oman, partaking in Oman Environment Day, which falls on January 8. (end) zak.ha