KUWAIT CITY, May 31: Kuwaiti Diving Team Head Waleed Al-Fadhel has dispelled the fear of the presence of a large number of sharks in Bneider coastal area, while warning about the dangers of overfishing, considering them threatened by extinction. Al-Fadhel stated that “some fishermen catch these creatures for their fins, which are used in making the world’s most expensive soup.” He explained that “sharks are not alien to our marine environment, as they are rather an integral part of the ecological balance,” calling for dealing with them with scientific awareness and responsibility.

He added, “Sharks contribute to cleaning the sea of dead fish and carcasses and are considered natural sea scavengers. They are not found in the sea for nothing, because they play a vital environmental role.” He pointed out that “the presence of sharks in Kuwaiti waters is not new, especially in Bneider coastal area -- one of the most prominent marine sites for divers and those interested in marine life. Photos and video clips confirmed the increased activity of sharks in that area, which requires a reconsideration of the way we deal with these creatures.”

He said “studies have proven that sharks are not limited to distant oceans; such as Australia and America, as they have a natural presence in the Arabian Gulf and the Red Sea, with frequent sightings in Kuwaiti waters.” He called for adopting a scientific and environmental approach to understand the nature and behavior of sharks, and to avoid media hype. He clarified that “sharks are a balanced ecological entity. Scaring people without relying on scientific facts serves no one.” He asserted that “Kuwait’s history has witnessed only a very limited number of shark incidents and most of them were not dangerous; except the danger posed by the white shark, known for its elongated tail.” He believes that the appearance of large sharks could be a sign of the recovery of the Kuwaiti marine environment.