Endangered Fish in Kuwait

Kuwait's waters are far richer than the small coastline suggests. But several of the most impressive creatures in the Arabian Gulf are in trouble — and some of them swim right through Kuwaiti fishing grounds. Protecting them is not only the job of the environment authority; anglers who know what they are looking at can make a real difference. Here is what is endangered in Kuwaiti waters and how fishermen can help.

Which Species Are in Trouble?

Scientists list a number of Gulf species as vulnerable, endangered, or critically endangered. The ones Kuwaiti anglers and boaters might actually encounter include:

• Whale sharks: the gentle giants occasionally sighted in Gulf waters, listed as endangered. Kuwaiti boaters sometimes meet them offshore — they are filter feeders and completely harmless.
• Sawfish: once recorded in the northern Gulf, now critically endangered and rarely seen anywhere. Any sighting in Kuwaiti waters is extremely significant.
• Guitarfish and wedgefish: ray-like bottom fish that Kuwaiti fishermen still catch by accident in shallow areas; several Gulf species are now critically endangered because their fins are valuable.
• Green and hawksbill turtles: both endangered, and both known in Kuwaiti waters; they nest on Gulf beaches and are often caught accidentally in nets.
• Dugongs: the Gulf holds one of the world's largest dugong populations, mostly around the southern Gulf, but they are classified as vulnerable and occasionally pass through Kuwaiti shallows where seagrass grows.
• Sharks: several Gulf shark species are overfished and their numbers have dropped sharply in recent decades.

Why This Matters to Fishermen

Endangered species are like the canary in the coal mine. Sharks and rays sit at the top of the food chain; when they disappear, the whole balance of the fish you actually target changes. Turtles and dugongs keep the seagrass and reef habitats healthy, and healthy habitat means more zubaidi, more hamra, more everything you fish for. Protecting them protects your own hobby.

What Anglers Should Do

• Learn to identify protected species — the fish guide in the B7R app helps you recognise what you have caught before you handle it.
• Release endangered and protected species quickly and carefully: wet your hands, avoid lifting big rays and sharks by the tail or gills, and cut the line close to the hook instead of fighting a long battle.
• Report rare sightings — a sawfish or whale shark sighting is valuable information for marine biologists; note the place and date in your fishing log.
• Respect seasonal bans and size limits set by Kuwait's Public Authority for Agriculture Affairs and Fish Resources; they exist to let stocks recover.
• Never buy or sell the fins or meat of protected species, and tell other anglers why it matters.

Small Actions, Big Difference

You do not need to be a scientist to help. Every time you release a big pregnant ray, every time you refuse to keep a small fish, every time you tell a friend why the whale shark deserves a photo instead of a spear — you are part of the solution. The old generation of Kuwaiti fishermen already knew this instinct: they took only what their family needed.

Next time you are out, take a moment to notice the life around your boat. And when you record your catches in the B7R app's fishing log, make a habit of noting the ones you released too — it makes you a more aware angler with every trip. Download B7R for free on Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.q8dm.b7r