Sharks Are More Than Just Predators

TDT | Manama

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The Supreme Council for Environment (SCE) marked World Shark Awareness Day by highlighting the crucial role sharks play in maintaining healthy and balanced marine ecosystems. It called for greater awareness and stronger conservation efforts to protect these often misunderstood marine animals.

Sharks are essential to ocean biodiversity, helping regulate marine food chains and maintain the stability of underwater ecosystems. The council stressed that protecting shark populations is vital to preserving marine biodiversity and ensuring healthier seas for future generations.

Bahrain’s waters are home to a variety of shark and ray species, reflecting the Kingdom’s rich marine life. Research has recorded several species in the Kingdom, including whale sharks, scalloped hammerheads and smooth hammerheads.

Sharks have also been part of Bahrain’s maritime heritage for centuries. During a recent tour at the Bahrain National Museum, museum guide Yusuf Alsaeed told The Daily Tribune that Bahrain’s deeper waters are home to many sharks, contrary to popular belief. He said traditional pearl divers regularly ventured into these waters in search of oysters, making encounters with sharks - one of the many risks of the profession. However, Alsaeed noted that sharks generally do not attack humans unless they smell blood or feel threatened.

Today, shark encounters around Bahrain remain uncommon as most species inhabit deeper offshore waters and naturally avoid areas frequented by swimmers. Occasional sightings, including those of whale sharks, nevertheless serve as a reminder of the Kingdom’s rich marine biodiversity and the importance of protecting its coastal and offshore habitats.

Earlier this year, researchers from the Save Our Seas Foundation announced the completion of Bahrain’s first DNA reference library for sharks and rays. Between December 2024 and December 2025, the team documented 577 individual sharks and rays, confirming the presence of 30 shark and ray species in Bahraini waters through a year-long survey of local fish markets. The researchers said the database will enable environmental DNA (eDNA) collected from seawater to be matched to specific species, supporting faster, non-invasive monitoring of marine biodiversity and strengthening long-term conservation efforts.

The SCE reaffirmed its commitment to protecting marine life and raising public awareness of sharks’ ecological importance, saying responsible environmental practices are vital to safeguarding marine biodiversity for future generations.

Observed annually on July 14, World Shark Awareness Day seeks to dispel myths about sharks and promote their conservation as many species face threats from habitat loss, pollution and unsustainable fishing.