Marine Pollution in Kuwait and Its Impacts on Fish-Stock Decline in Kuwaiti Waters: Reviewing the Kuwaiti Government's Policies and Practices

Mohammad E A Alqattan,Tim S Gray

doi:10.3389/frsus.2021.667822

Mohammad E A Alqattan, Tim S Gray

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3389/frsus.2021.667822

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Abstract

Kuwait's “Blue Economy” project aims to help replace the country's oil and gas income by the sustainable development of its marine resources. The fishing industry has a prime place in the “Blue Economy” project, but nine of the main fish species in Kuwait have recently declined Rubian (Shrimp), Zobaidi (Silver Pomfret), Suboor (Hilsa Shad), Naqroor (Javelin Grunter), Hamoor (Orange-Spotted Grouper), Hamra (Malabar Blood Snapper), Halwayuh (Black Pomfret), Frush (Trout Sweetlips), and Kasur (Lizard Fish). This paper investigates the nature of pollution in Kuwaiti waters, examining its extent and causes, questioning whether or not it is a primary reason for fish decline, and discussing what measures could be taken to reduce or remove it. The data for this study were gathered from peer-reviewed articles, official Kuwaiti statistics and reports, and semi-structured interviews conducted in Kuwait with stakeholders in the fisheries including staff in the Kuwaiti Scientific Institute, the Fishery Protection Authority, the Environmental Protection Authority and governmental departments; fishers; and fishery business owners. The main finding of this study is that because of the weak government policies and practices to counter pollution, pollution does exist in Kuwaiti waters, but there is no solid evidence that it has a direct link to the decline in fish stocks. Overfishing, especially by illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) vessels, seems to be a more substantial cause of the decline in fish stocks.

Highlights

Kuwait is located in the North of the Arabian Gulf, which is a strategic location in the region, with an extensive coastline 225 km long, increasing to 290 km when the associated islands are included; Kuwait has 10 islands (Warbah, Bubyan, Miskan, Kubbar, Qaroh, Um Almaradim, Failakah, Ouha, Shuwaikh Island, and Um Alnamil) (Bird, 2010) (Figure 1).The Kuwaiti “Blue Economy” goal is to replace the country’s oil income with marine and maritime investments (Trading Economics, 2019)
Except key informant (KI)-3, agreed there is a high level of pollution in Kuwait and this is partly responsible for the decline in fish stocks in Kuwaiti waters, though their opinions varied about the level of pollution and the extent of the danger it poses to fish stocks
These KIs said the government does not object to the publication of research studies about pollution because generally the public do not read scientific reports, it does not allow researchers to speak to the media in detail about pollution

Summary

Introduction

Kuwait is located in the North of the Arabian Gulf, which is a strategic location in the region, with an extensive coastline 225 km long, increasing to 290 km when the associated islands are included; Kuwait has 10 islands (Warbah, Bubyan, Miskan, Kubbar, Qaroh, Um Almaradim, Failakah, Ouha, Shuwaikh Island, and Um Alnamil) (Bird, 2010) (Figure 1).The Kuwaiti “Blue Economy” goal is to replace the country’s oil income (currently 80% of its GDP) with marine and maritime investments (Trading Economics, 2019). Fishery production is one of the main sectors of the “Blue Economy” project in Kuwait and understanding the main causes for fish decline would help to enhance the sector, enabling the government and businesses to invest in it and thereby help to reduce the country’s dependence on oil revenue (Mahdi, 2018). That both overfishing and pollution are immediate or proximate causes, and behind both lie deeper causes within the system of natural resource management in the country. These deeper factors include the lack of good governance (to the point of alleged duplicity) and limited environmental awareness on the part of the public. The approach used in this analysis was to investigate both the proximate factor of pollution and the underlying factors of deficient governance and public awareness, and to discover how they are connected

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