‘Pollution, climate cause of drop in fish resources’

‘Form policies to preserve marine life’

KUWAIT CITY, Aug 6: A recent study conducted by the Public Authority for Agricultural Affairs and Fish Resources (PAAAFR) in cooperation with the Environment Public Authority, Center of Researches, and Kuwait University showed that fish reserve has dropped from the average 8,500 tons recorded annually in mid-1990s to 5,600 tons per year at present, reports Al-Qabas daily.

Acting Secretary General for Cabinet Affairs Counselor Wael Al-Assousi in a letter to the Minister of Municipal Affairs stated the Council of Ministers has reviewed the recommendations presented in the aforementioned study.

He stated reasons for the declining fish reserve in Kuwait, citing exhaustion of some kinds of fish through excessive and illegal fishing, in addition to climate change in Kuwait Bay and the territorial waters caused by an increasing salt rate and reduced chlorophyll in the Gulf due to reduction in the flow of fresh water from Shatt Al-Arab.

Pollution

He also cited pollution resulting from construction activities and negative behavior of amateur fishermen.

Al-Assousi recommended the formation of a permanent national committee to lay down fishing policies and take decisions that will contribute to preserve fish.

The study also recommended fish farming to contribute 4,000 tons of shrimps over the next 10 years, which is 50 percent of the current production of fresh fish.

Head of Obstetrics and Gynecology Department at Jahra Hospital and Chairman of the Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology Council Dr Sami Al-Taher disclosed that the department receives 4-6 cases of illegal pregnancy per year, adding cases of that nature are referred to Al-Sabah Obstetrics Hospital that has a special ward for that purpose, reports Annahar daily.

He added Kuwait registers more than 5,000 deliveries per year with 35 percent of them through Caesarian.

He added 2,000 operations were performed in Jahra Hospital in 2017 varying from Caesarian to medium operations and major surgeries.

He noted the hospital receives Bedoun sterility patients seeking In-vitro Fertilization (IVF) in addition to free medicine.