“The Kuwait Environment Protection Society participated in the Regional Environment Day celebration organized by the Regional Organization for the Protection of the Marine Environment (ROPME) under the patronage of the organization's Executive Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Al-Ahmad. The event brought together leading scientists and regional organizations and institutions to raise environmental awareness about the importance of the sustainability of marine ecosystems, highlight the most significant challenges facing the marine environment in the region, encourage sound environmental practices and behaviors among students and specialists, and support frameworks for regional cooperation and integration in the field of marine environmental protection. This was stated by Engineer Hussein Bu Rumana, a member of the Society's Environmental Engineers Team.
Engineer Hussein Bu Rumana stated that “the Kuwait Environment Protection Society was keen to have its national staff participate in the celebration, with the attendance of members of the Society’s Environmental Engineers Team, including Vice President Engineer Yousef Al-Ramzi and team member Engineer Hussein Bu Rumana.” He explained that Society member Dr. Shaker Al-Hazim participated in the celebration with a scientific lecture entitled “The National Coral Reef Wealth,” which highlighted the great importance of coral reefs in supporting the national economy and protecting the environment.
He added that Dr. Al-Hazim pointed out that “coral reefs play an important role in the economy, as they attract millions of tourists every year, generating billions of dollars through diving and cruise activities. Reefs also provide a natural environment for a large number of marine organisms that are important for fisheries, which supports food security and sources of income for many coastal communities. In addition, reefs act as a natural barrier that protects coasts from storms and erosion, thus reducing the costs of natural damage.”.
Engineer Hussein Bou Rummaneh stated that Dr. Shaker Al-Hazim pointed out that “coral reefs are home to a quarter of known marine organisms, even though they cover less than 11 TP3T of the ocean floor. They play a fundamental role in maintaining the balance of marine ecosystems,” adding, “coral reefs are an important source for scientific research and medical discoveries. Some marine organisms associated with the reefs have helped in developing new treatments for diseases such as cancer and inflammation.”.
He noted that “coral reefs hold great cultural importance for many coastal peoples, as they are linked to their traditions, arts and daily lifestyles,” pointing out that Dr. Shaker Al-Hazim’s lecture “concluded with a call to protect coral reefs, as they are a natural resource that affects the economy, the environment and culture together, which requires concerted efforts to preserve them for future generations.”.
For his part, Mr. Yousef Al-Ramzi participated with several interventions that emphasized “the importance of scientific studies that address the close relationship between climate change and its extreme impact on coral reefs and the habitats of marine and fish organisms in the Gulf, in order to measure its impact on fish stocks. And that the impact of diving as a hobby on diving sites and natural habitats requires raising the level of awareness in preserving the marine environment.”.
