Illegal shrimp trawlers entered the protected boundaries of Dive Bahrain site, causing major damage to the underwater attraction, Industry, Commerce and Tourism Minister Zayed Alzayani said yesterday.
The world’s largest eco-friendly underwater park, off the northern coast of Bahrain, was officially inaugurated in September last year.
Dive Bahrain comprises a submerged 70-metre long Boeing 747, located 20 to 22 metres below the surface off Hair Al Shathiya, a protected marine site in the north of the mainland.
The submerged aircraft is the first attraction in the 100,000sqm underwater theme park, with the next phase including several structures such as a replica of a traditional Bahraini pearl merchant´s house, artificial coral reefs and other sculptures that will be built and submerged to provide a safe haven for coral reef growth and a habitat for sustainable marine life.
Authorities are working to identify the rogue vessels, which not only violated a ban on fishing using trawling nets but also breached a two nautical mile exclusion zone around the submerged attractions.
“While the dive site sustained damage, work continues to build the largest underwater park which will continue to provide a thrilling diving experience for those who visit and, more importantly, a viable habitat for local marine species,” the minister said.
He announced that an investigation is underway using detailed radar and tracking data to identify the vessels.
An investigation by a team of specialised marine investigators identified clear evidence, both on the fuselage of the submerged aircraft and the seabed, that points to a collision between the fuselage and “heavy trawling nets”.
Supreme Council for Environment chief executive Dr Mohammed Bin Daina said: “This incident serves as further evidence of the profoundly negative effect fishing with trawling nets has on the seabed ecosystems, reefs and on the marine environment overall.”
A Dive Bahrain spokesman confirmed that work is already underway to repair the damage.
“The enormously positive response Dive Bahrain has received, locally, regionally and internationally, had already accelerated work on the other pre-planned elements of the dive park, including a replica of a traditional pearl merchant’s house, sunken ships and sail structures,” he said.
“But this incident has encouraged us to add even more elements, bolstering the uniqueness of Dive Bahrain’s offering and, of course, expanding the potential habitats for marine life.
“Stay tuned for more exciting announcements in the near future from Dive Bahrain,” he added.
Since its opening, Dive Bahrain has had an overwhelmingly positive response from around the world and the site continues to be a key area of focus for Team Bahrain.
Amateur and professional divers from more than 50 countries have thus far made the journey to Dive Bahrain, which offers a truly unique wreck-diving experience.
© Copyright 2019 www.gdnonline.com
Copyright 2020 Al Hilal Publishing and Marketing Group Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (Syndigate.info).
