Kuwait's marine biodiversity: Qualitative assessment of indicator habitats and species

Edmonds, Nathan; Al-Zaidan, A.S.; Al-Sabah, A.A.; Quesne, Will J.F. Le; Davison, Phil I.; Lyons, Brett P.

doi:10.1016/j.marpolbul.2020.111915

Cited by 20 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 87 publications

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“…Researchers have reported a massive fall in fish stock levels in Kuwaiti waters in recent years. For example, Edmonds et al (2021) stated that "marine turtles, vulnerable fish, coral reefs and coastal habitats are all experiencing clear decline." Al-Baz et al (2018) stated that Kuwait's fisheries landings have decreased from a high of 6,900 tons in 1995 to 3,100 tons in 2013-a decrease of 55%.…”

Section: Decline In Fish Stocks In Kuwaiti Watersmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…855) claimed that "the sources of pollution in the Kuwaiti Bays are oilbased, sewage, desalination, and natural oxidation-reduction processes [and] the level of toxin on four Kuwaiti fish species, Sheam, lobester, Speatty, and Nagroor may lead to cancer and non-cancer hazards on consumers." Also, Edmonds et al (2021) said that "the main impacts on Kuwait biodiversity are coastal developments and sewage inputs." We list the five main sources of pollution below, which do not include nuclear pollution [Uddin et al (2015) conducted a study by collecting water samples and fish species to find any signs of nuclear pollution in Kuwaiti waters, but found none].…”

Section: Evidence Of Pollution In Kuwaiti Watersmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…State Audit Bureau (2018) claimed that KEPA's Judicial Officers have failed to comply with legal procedures when prosecuting people for environmental violations, which results in many cases being withdrawn in the courts and a massive drop in KEPA's financial income from fines. Edmonds et al (2021) said that "knowledge about Kuwaiti marine biodiversity is incomplete and outdated because data. .…”

Section: Excessive Salinitymentioning

confidence: 99%

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Marine Pollution in Kuwait and Its Impacts on Fish-Stock Decline in Kuwaiti Waters: Reviewing the Kuwaiti Government's Policies and Practices

Alqattan

Gray

2021

Front. Sustain.

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Kuwait's “Blue Economy” project aims to help replace the country's oil and gas income by the sustainable development of its marine resources. The fishing industry has a prime place in the “Blue Economy” project, but nine of the main fish species in Kuwait have recently declined Rubian (Shrimp), Zobaidi (Silver Pomfret), Suboor (Hilsa Shad), Naqroor (Javelin Grunter), Hamoor (Orange-Spotted Grouper), Hamra (Malabar Blood Snapper), Halwayuh (Black Pomfret), Frush (Trout Sweetlips), and Kasur (Lizard Fish). This paper investigates the nature of pollution in Kuwaiti waters, examining its extent and causes, questioning whether or not it is a primary reason for fish decline, and discussing what measures could be taken to reduce or remove it. The data for this study were gathered from peer-reviewed articles, official Kuwaiti statistics and reports, and semi-structured interviews conducted in Kuwait with stakeholders in the fisheries including staff in the Kuwaiti Scientific Institute, the Fishery Protection Authority, the Environmental Protection Authority and governmental departments; fishers; and fishery business owners. The main finding of this study is that because of the weak government policies and practices to counter pollution, pollution does exist in Kuwaiti waters, but there is no solid evidence that it has a direct link to the decline in fish stocks. Overfishing, especially by illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) vessels, seems to be a more substantial cause of the decline in fish stocks.

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Section: Decline In Fish Stocks In Kuwaiti Watersmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Evidence Of Pollution In Kuwaiti Watersmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Excessive Salinitymentioning

confidence: 99%

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Marine Pollution in Kuwait and Its Impacts on Fish-Stock Decline in Kuwaiti Waters: Reviewing the Kuwaiti Government's Policies and Practices

Alqattan

Gray

2021

Front. Sustain.

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“…Kuwait lies in the northwestern APG , receiving freshwater input from Shatt-Al-Arab in Iraq, and has diverse habitats such as mud flats, sandy beaches, rocky shores, salt marshes, seagrass meadows, and coral reefs ( Al-Yamani et al 2004 ). The marine biodiversity of these productive habitats is unique and adapted to live in these extreme environmental conditions (salinity > 41 ppt and sea water temperature, 14 to > 30 °C) which falls beyond the physiological threshold for many organisms found elsewhere ( Edmonds et al 2021 ). Anthropogenic activities such as coastal development, pollution, etc.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

New records of nudibranchs and a cephalaspid from Kuwait, northwestern Arabian Gulf (Mollusca, Heterobranchia)

Nithyanandan¹,

Al-Kandari²,

Mantha³

2021

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In this study five new records and two probably undescribed species of heterobranch sea slugs placed in four genera, three families, and two orders are reported from Kuwait, northwestern Arabian / Persian Gulf with details and photographs. The present study increases the heterobranch diversity in Kuwaiti waters from 35 to 40 species. The range of habitats in Kuwait provides a vital opportunity for further investigation to understand the actual faunal diversity.

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“…Despite the harsh environmental conditions of the Arabian Gulf, it contains internationally important ecosystems comprising coral reefs, seagrass beds and mangrove forests (Burt, 2014;Vaughan et al, 2019). The tropical waters of the Arabian Gulf have a long history of maritime resource richness and the high levels of biodiversity were due to the complex matrix of coastal habitats, coral reefs and seagrass beds in this region (Edmonds et al, 2021).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Impact of Salinity Changes in Shatt Al-Arab Estuary on Biodiversity of Marine Mammals of the Arabian Gulf: A Review

Salman¹

2021

Biol. Appl. Environ. Res.

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Salinity changes in the Shatt Al-Arab Estuary and North-West Arabian Gulf were monitored and reviewed in terms of the shortage of freshwater inflows to the Shatt Al-Arab Estuary. Data from previous and current surveys on marine mammals in the area have also been checked and compared to study the biodiversity under newly-developed circumstances. The Eco-physiological investigation was performed to assess the salinity tolerance limits of whales, dolphins and dugong. One-third of the world’s 81 species of whales and dolphins, collectively called cetaceans, are thought to occur off the shores in the area. The new checklist is prepared according to recent surveys in the neighbouring Arab Gulf countries and the known checklist of mammals in Iraqi waters. Spatial variation of the marine mammals of the southern part was governed by the occurrence of feeding habitats rather than a direct response to salinity variations. Alteration of seaweed’s habitats in response to water pollution is reported to have a direct effect on the biodiversity of mammals in the gulf. The results of this review were discussed in terms of salinity tolerance, hazardous ecological factors and spatial variation. No obvious effect of salinity changes imposed by the shortage of freshwater inflow on the distribution or loss of marine mammals neither on their habitat in the Arabian Gulf.

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Kuwait's marine biodiversity: Qualitative assessment of indicator habitats and species

Cited by 20 publications

References 87 publications

Marine Pollution in Kuwait and Its Impacts on Fish-Stock Decline in Kuwaiti Waters: Reviewing the Kuwaiti Government's Policies and Practices

Marine Pollution in Kuwait and Its Impacts on Fish-Stock Decline in Kuwaiti Waters: Reviewing the Kuwaiti Government's Policies and Practices

New records of nudibranchs and a cephalaspid from Kuwait, northwestern Arabian Gulf (Mollusca, Heterobranchia)

Impact of Salinity Changes in Shatt Al-Arab Estuary on Biodiversity of Marine Mammals of the Arabian Gulf: A Review

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