The Marine Environment of Kuwait—Emerging issues in a rapidly changing environment

Abstract

Kuwait's distinctive marine environment comprises a diverse range of habitats from sandy beaches and coral reefs to intertidal mudflats and marshes (Al-Abdulghani et al., 2013). These varied habitats are home to an equally diverse range of species including the rare smoothtooth blacktip shark, Carcharhinus leiodon ( Moore et al., 2014), and the endangered green, Chelonia mydas and hawksbill, Eretmochelys imbricata turtles ( Al-Mohanna et al., 2014 and Pilcher et al., 2014). Kuwaiti waters contain some of the most northerly coral reef systems in the world and the extensive intertidal habitats are important feedings grounds to resident and migratory birds, with the shallow waters in the north, fed by the Shatt Al-Arab estuary system, being some of the most productive waters in the Gulf ( Al-Ghadban et al., 2002, Al-Ghadban and El-Sammak, 2005 and Al-Rifaie et al., 2007). This diverse and productive environment fulfils a number of roles that benefits Kuwaiti society. In addition to supporting the conservation of regionally and globally important biodiversity, Kuwait's marine environment supports productive finfish and shellfish fisheries for human consumption and the culturally significant pearl oyster, Pinctada radiate ( Al-Zaidan et al., 2013 and Al-Husaini et al., 2015). The coastline and offshore areas have important recreational and amenity value, and waters of the Gulf are the main source of drinking water in Kuwait.