Iran’s first marine park is set to be inaugurated in the coastal waters of Kish Island. Rahim Sarhangi, CEO of the Kish Free Zone Organization, stated that the establishment of artificial diving sites will not only attract tourism but also help preserve Kish’s marine environment by alleviating pressure on natural sites. He has ordered the formation of a working group dedicated to the development of marine tourism in Kish.
According to Rooykard-e-Kish News Network,Emphasizing the importance of creating a marine balance and advancing marine and diving tourism, Sarhangi noted that the Kish Free Zone Organization is taking significant steps to enhance marine tourism and protect the island’s marine environment.
This includes the implementation of the Kish Underwater Park project, which involves the purchase and preparation of an airplane wreck.
He clarified that the acquisition of this airplane wreck was approved by the organization’s board of directors. Additionally, the creation of the Martyred Divers site, featuring war equipment, is another component of Kish Island’s underwater park that will serve as a habitat for corals and a diving attraction.
Sarhangi stressed that the development of marine tourism extends beyond just creating artificial diving sites. A series of initiatives, including photo exhibitions and recreational and sports events, will be carried out in collaboration with the Kish Environment Department and specialists in these fields, as well as members of the marine community and club owners.
Meanwhile, the head of the Kish Environment Department, Maryam Mohammadi remarked that, after many years, the initiative to establish an underwater park and artificial habitats aimed at preserving natural habitats has been revitalized by the CEO of the Kish Free Zone Organization.
This effort will help alleviate artificial pressure on natural sites and safeguard Kish’s marine environment. She made the comments in a meeting with a number of officials from Kish Free Zone Organization.
During this meeting, which focused on planning and reviewing issues related to the launch of the underwater park, Rahim Sarhangi directed follow-up actions regarding the development of a marine tourism strategy, updating the location and design of the diving site for the airplane wreck, and establishing the Martyrs’ Diving site.
Notably, attendees at this meeting included the vice presidents of Kish Free Zone Organization’s management and tourism development, the head of the environment department, members of the club owners’ society, Kazem Bayram—a documentary filmmaker, photographer, and researcher of the Persian Gulf—and Seyed Alireza Kazemi, manager of the Marjan project.
