Iranian Marine officials warn that a number of aquatic species in the Persian Gulf are facing extinction.
IRNA reports that according to marine experts in Hormozgan Province, the establishment of major industries in coastal regions, the smuggling of fuel, the discharge of urban sewage into the sea and desalination activities are some of the factors contributing to the extinction of several water species.
The report adds that a lack of resources, along with shortages in personnel and adequate marine-protection equipment, prevent the province from adequately addressing these problems.
For years the Department of the Environment has tried without success to stop the ejection of city sewage into the sea in Bandar Abbas.
The department also reports that five million litres of oil is released into the waters annually by smugglers, causing widespread pollution.
