The head of the Kuwaiti Federation of Fishermen, Dhaher Al-Suwayan, stressed the importance of eliminating piracy and theft inside Kuwait’s territorial waters, praising, at the same time, the efforts exerted by the Coast Guard, “who continue day and night to protect Kuwait’s territorial waters, and the Kuwaiti army’s efforts to protect Kuwait’s swallow borders,” reports Al-Qabas daily. He pointed out that “the gangs infiltrate our territorial waters to steal the equipment and the catch.”
Al-Suwayan added that the Fishermen’s Union “is in constant contact with the Coast Guard and the Kuwaiti army to solve this issue at its roots, especially since our waters belong to us and are under the control of the Kuwaiti army, according to Amiri Decree No. 317/2014, but unfortunately, these pirates are increasing and have mastered the art of infiltration and escape.” Al-Suwayan added five Kuwaiti fishing trawlers were robbed in one day the day before yesterday, which means that the problem is exacerbating and requires severe control of these outlaws. He explained that “the looting process continues daily at the rate of two and three incidents per day until the number of incidents exceeded 80 so far this year.”
He stressed the need to find solutions to this problem, calling for more protection points by the Kuwaiti army at sea in order to protect the fishermen, so that they can continue to fish and provide food security. He expressed the fishermen’s hopes for a quick solution to this problem, pointing out that “the pirate issue threatens the survival of the fishermen.” There is a need to co-ordinate with all Gulf and neighboring countries to eliminate these pirates who infiltrate from some neighbouring countries.”