Doha, Qatar: The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change (MECC), represented by the Marine Protection Department, removed abandoned 'prism' fishing nets that were lying underwater near the seabed off Dukhan Beach.
This is part of the Ministry's periodic inspections to protect the marine environment and preserve its components of plants and aquatic life.
The specialized team also found a number of fish and seaweeds stuck in the nets, highlighting the significant negative impact of abandoned fishing gear on marine life and their natural habitat, as this waste is considered a trap for marine organisms.
Last month, a dead dugong entangled in a fishing net was recovered near the shore of Old Al Wakrah Souq. Recently, the Ministry also removed 500 metres of abandoned fishing nets entangled among coral reefs on the seabed in the marine area east of Doha.
The MECC calls on all fishermen and beachgoers to adhere to environmental guidelines and instructions, and not to throw waste or use illegal fishing equipment, in order to preserve the marine environment and the safety of its living creatures, and to ensure a clean and sustainable marine environment.
