Phenomenon worsening? Fish continue to die in Arabian Gulf waters

June 11, 2011 – KUWAIT CITY – Contrary to the claims of the Environment Public Authority (EPA), the Kuwait Society for Protection of Environment says fish are continuing to die in large numbers in the Arabian Gulf waters, reports Al-Mustaqbal daily. The society made the statement after studying the satellite images of dead fish found floating in Kuwaiti territorial waters a few days ago. Meanwhile, Kuwaiti expert and General Coordinator of the project on the impact of climate changes on Kuwaiti marine environment Dr Thamer Al-Rasheedi said test results showed a remarkable rise in temperature of sea waters compared to the previous years. A large number of fish died in Kuwaiti waters recently due to decrease in oxygen levels in the water “and this is a natural process that occurs due to water current and high temperatures,” Al-Seyassah daily quoted Deputy Director of Fish Resources Sector at the Public Authority for Agricultural Affairs and Fish Resources (PAAAFR) Dr Haidar Murad as saying. He allayed fears of a red tide phenomenon affecting fish resources in the country, saying such fears are unfounded. Dr Murad explained that the percentage of oxygen in parts where fish were found dead did not exceed 1.5 milligrams per liter and “it led to the death of the fish.” He said the normal level should be 6 milligrams per liter. Al-Watan daily quoted an official source as saying that no more dead fish are being spotted near Salmiya beach. A team had toured the entire area on Thursday and no new cases of dead fish were found, he added. “All members of the committee looking into the issue unanimously agreed that the death of the fish was not caused due to red tide phenomenon,” the source noted. –Arab Times