Seagrasses in Kuwait and Their Importance

If you've ever looked down into clear water close to the Kuwaiti coast, you may have noticed green "grass" swaying on the seabed. That's not seaweed and it's not trash — those are seagrasses, real plants that live their whole lives underwater, and one of the most important habitats in Kuwait's sea.

Seagrass meadows are the nurseries of the sea. They shelter the young fish and shrimp that grow into the catches we rely on. In this article, we look at where seagrasses grow in Kuwait, why they matter, and how you can protect them when you head out on the water.

What are seagrasses and where do they grow in Kuwait?

Seagrasses are flowering plants that live fully underwater and need sunlight to survive, which is why they grow in shallow areas where light reaches the seabed. Around Kuwait they grow in shallow bays and sheltered inlets, including areas like Sulaibikhat, Jahra, and along parts of the southern coast. They take root in sandy and muddy bottoms and form wide underwater "meadows".

Why seagrass meadows matter

First, they are natural nurseries. Juvenile fish and shrimp hide between the blades from predators and find plenty of food there. Many of the fish caught in Kuwaiti waters — from zubaidy to hamour — spend the early part of their lives inside seagrass meadows. Lose the meadows, and fish stocks drop over time.

Second, they are food. Dugongs and hawksbill turtles feed on seagrasses. These animals depend on healthy meadows, and when the grass disappears from an area, so does their food supply.

Third, seagrasses hold the seabed together with their roots. They reduce sediment movement, protect shorelines from erosion, and keep the water clearer — something that benefits swimmers and boaters alike.

How fishermen benefit

Any experienced fisherman knows that where there is seagrass, there are fish and shrimp. These meadows concentrate food and shelter, which makes them productive fishing spots year-round. But they need to be treated with care — damaged meadows mean fewer fish over time, and that hurts every fisherman's livelihood.

Keep notes on where you find fish, at what time, and over what kind of bottom. Track those trips in the fishing log in the B7R app to build real local knowledge of Kuwait's waters.

What threatens seagrass meadows

• Anchoring: dropping an anchor onto a meadow rips the plants out by their roots and leaves bare patches that recover very slowly.
• Coastal work: dredging and land reclamation near the shore can bury meadows and cut off the sunlight they need.
• Murky water: heavy sediment and pollution block the light that seagrasses need to grow.

How boaters can protect them

Protecting seagrasses is simple and costs nothing:

Don't anchor on grass. If the bottom looks green, move to a sandy or muddy patch before dropping your anchor, and watch your depth in shallow areas, especially at low tide.

Before you head out, open the B7R app and check tide times for Shuwaikh and Shuaiba ports plus the current sea state. It helps you plan your trip and avoid shallow spots at low tide.

Seagrasses are not a nuisance; they are the foundation of life in our sea. When we look after them, the water stays full of fish and shrimp. Even a small choice — like where you drop your anchor — makes a real difference.