Kuwait for environment mulls situations on protected islands

Director General of the Environment Public Authority (EPA) Dr. Salah Al-Mudhi said the Supreme Council for Environment convened its third session on Sunday to discuss the situations on the islands designated as natural reserves. "The meeting, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Oil Mustafa Al-Shimali, discussed the impacts on the ongoing camping season on environment as well as the situations on protected islands, particularly Qarouh Island," Dr. Al-Mudhi told KUNA. "The meeting decided to remove all fishing traps in our territorial waters pursuant to the decision adopted by the Supreme Council for Environment in 2001," he affirmed. "The fishing traps had been priced at the time and since then no license was issued for such activities which are deemed hazardous to the marine life," he said. The meeting also decided to set up a five-party interagency panel, representing the ministries of industry and commerce, and interior, as well as EPA, Kuwait Municipality and the oil sector, to determine within a month from now the locations of camps," Al-Mudhi revealed. On Qarouh Island, he said the meeting decided to form a national committee to reactivate the cabinet decree declaring the island a natural reserve. "The five-party committee is scheduled to table its first report to EPA President early next month and convene a meeting to review the progress made in the discharging of its mandate," he added. The meeting of the Supreme Council for Environment also attended by Minister of State for Municipal Affairs Salem Al-Athaina and the Council's two members: Sheikha Amthal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and Dr.Jassem Al-Beshara.