Investigating the lives of sharks and rays in the hottest sea on the planet through eDNA in Bahrain’s waters

I’m often asked what it’s like to dive in the hottest sea in the world: “is there anything alive?”

Bahrain, my home country, an island nation, the third smallest in Asia, lies on the eastern edge of Arabia. When I swim in its waters, I move through the invisible arms of resilience that hold one of many untold Arabian tales.

Just last week, our team completed Bahrain’s first dedicated environmental DNA (eDNA) surveys to study shark and ray populations.

Our aim is ambitious: to sample across three seasons: August, December, and April, capturing the hottest, coldest, and transitional periods. This way, we can begin to understand the distribution, composition, and seasonality of these incredible species in our waters.

The first season: braving the heat

This August, we launched our first eDNA sampling season. To say it was intense would be an understatement. Air temperatures soared to 48°C, the sea surface reached 35°C, and humidity clung at 90%. Working in these conditions was a test of both endurance and commitment.

Yet, as I stood on the boat, drenched in sweat, I couldn’t help but think back to two years ago. At this exact time of year, I witnessed something extraordinary—a juvenile lemon shark gliding through the mangroves at one of our sites. That rare and unforgettable sight planted the seed for this research. It was proof that Bahrain’s waters, though harsh, hold secrets worth uncovering. This was nature’s answer to the question: “is there anything alive?”

Bahrain’s mangroves—potential rare nurseries where juvenile sharks have been observed. Photo © Reem AlMealla | Nuwat for Environmental Research & Education

Science rooted in local knowledge

Our choice of sampling periods and locations wasn’t made lightly. We undertook an extensive process of consulting with local fishing communities, whose knowledge of Bahrain’s seas is unparalleled. These conversations were followed by local ecological knowledge surveys, which helped us refine our approach and select sites most likely to reveal sharks and rays.

At first, our plan was to work with sediment eDNA samples. But after discussions with regional colleagues—many of whom reported limited success—we shifted to water-based eDNA sampling, which has proven more effective in detecting these elusive species. This decision was a turning point, ensuring we start with confidence, but also grounded in both community wisdom and regional scientific experience. It also meant delaying our start until April 2025, so we could refine methods and prepare properly.

Women-led science in action

What makes me proudest is not just the science, but the people behind it. Our small, women-led team has come a long way. When we first started, belief in our capabilities was almost nonexistent and support was scarce. Yet here we are—braving the Gulf’s extremes, collecting samples that will form the first molecular biodiversity baselines for sharks and rays in Bahrain. These data will become the foundation for evidence-based conservation and management.

Collecting water samples to trace environmental DNA of sharks and rays. Photo © Dareen AlMojil | Nuwat for Environmental Research & Education

Looking ahead

Bahrain’s marine ecosystems hold stories still untold. By combining passion with science, we are beginning to uncover them. My hope is that through this research, we can ensure that sharks, rays, and the ecosystems they depend on will endure—for our generation and those yet to come. Wish us luck and follow our journey!

Encountering a leopard Leopard whipray (Himantura leoparda) ray at one of our sites during our scouting phase prior to the eDNA sampling commencement period. Photo © Mohamed Ali | Nuwat for Environmental Research & Education