Growing tilapia in swamps ‘risks’ breeding of health-threat insects

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KUWAIT CITY, Aug 10: In the wake of documenting the reproduction of tilapia fish in the swamps of Sabah Al-Ahmad City, head of the city’s residents committee Turki Al-Osaimi revealed that “the matter is not limited to growing tilapia in swamps whose harm exceeds that of inedible fish. It also risks the breeding of insects that threaten the health of the people, reports Al-Rai daily.

He noted diseases, bad odor and toxic bacteria pose a threat to public health, especially children and the elderly, saying the swamps are home to live ducks and dead animals. Al-Osaimi in a statement added “we previously sterilized the swamps and drove through with an Amphicruiser and discovered the water is not stagnant; rather, they’re sewage swamps discharged from homes six years ago and all prosthesis solutions will not work”.

He pointed out that the tilapia story is accurate “but I believe that these fish are traded among the Asian communities in Sabah Al-Ahmad City.” Environmental activist Dr Muhammad Al-Sayegh wondered how long these random water ponds will continue to exist near residential areas after the repeated warnings against leaving them to thrive, as they may spread infections and diseases among the residents of neighboring areas.

Al-Sayegh explained that “work must continue throughout the year– especially after the rainy season, to drain ponds that are supposed to be temporary but due to lack of follow-up, they turn into permanent foci of unwanted neighborhoods. He stressed that work must be done to stop the uncontrolled leakage of sewage water from pipes into the soil, as witnessed recently in different regions of Kuwait. “Many people think in good faith that they’re capable of creating new environments by trying to convert the ponds into multi-neighborhood lakes, and as documented in the video clip, they transformed the ponds into fish farms, which is a serious mistake.

He affirmed that these ponds are flat surfaces and usually formed through rainwater or sewage water residues, so it is unfit to convert into multi-neighborhood environments, because it is temporary environments found out of place or time. He pointed out that “we always advise against doing any environmental work unless after consulting specialists in this regard, to avoid damaging the environment accidentally and in good faith”.

Al-Sayegh called on concerned authorities such as the Environment Public Authority and Public Authority for Agricultural Affairs and Fish Resources to conduct permanent patrols in all areas to monitor any random ponds and work to dry them, and to record clear violations against anyone who tries to either benefit from the ponds illegally.

He stressed that “these bodies must cooperate with environmental activists, associations and environmental groups to intensify seminars and environmental awareness campaigns aimed at educating citizens and expatriates on the basics of correct environmental action. It is unreasonable to transfer random ponds, for example, to Tilapia fish farms without any study, under the pretext of ensuring the welfare of environment”.

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