KUWAIT CITY, July 17: The Scientific Center for Aquaculture and Fisheries (SCAFE) has launched a collaborative research project titled "Monitoring the Behavior of Sand Tiger Sharks in a Closed Environment". The initiative is conducted in partnership with the Nawah Foundation for Environmental Research and Education (Nawah) and Kuwait University as part of Kuwait’s annual Shark Week activities, running from July 17 to 26.

Musaed Al-Yaseen, Director General of SCAFE, described the project as the first of its kind in Kuwait and the region. It focuses on the detailed daily observation of sand tiger sharks housed within the center’s aquarium, using high-precision cameras and advanced scientific tools to monitor the sharks’ behavior.

Al-Yaseen explained that the study aims to better understand the behavioral patterns and biological conditions of sand tiger sharks in a controlled environment. This knowledge will help enhance care protocols and promote scientific research in marine biology. He emphasized that the project aligns with SCAFE’s strategic goal to support applied scientific and environmental research, thereby bolstering Kuwait’s regional leadership in marine science.

Dr. Dareen Al Moajel from the Nawah Foundation highlighted that the study seeks to investigate the reproductive environment of the sand tiger shark, an endangered species facing population declines due to overfishing and habitat constraints. The project aims to identify optimal mating conditions within the aquarium setting.

Visitors to the Scientific Center are encouraged to engage with the research by scanning QR codes placed throughout the facility. This allows them to contribute observations of the sharks’ behavior, creating a community-driven scientific database that enriches the research.

The Shark Week program will showcase a rare reproductive event of a female sand tiger shark in the aquarium—a remarkable achievement for marine research and aquarium care worldwide, underscoring Kuwait’s advances in marine conservation.

Additional activities during the week include a scientific workshop on fish dissection and the screening of the documentary “Shark Kingdom” at the IMAX theater. The film explores the ecological and aesthetic importance of sharks in their natural habitats and will be shown throughout July.

The festivities conclude with the "Bahrna" exhibition from July 24 to 26, featuring participation from the Environment Public Authority, General Directorate of Coast Guard, Kuwait Heritage Society, Kuwait Diving Team, and Warba Bank. The exhibition aims to spotlight Kuwait’s national efforts to preserve the marine environment and raise public awareness about protecting the country’s precious marine ecosystems.