World Oceans Day 2026
Bahrain 
Strong Marine Protected Areas for Our Blue Planet
Every year, World Oceans Day reminds us that a healthy ocean is fundamental to the wellbeing of our planet and the people who depend on it. This year’s theme, “Strong Marine Protected Areas for Our Blue Planet,” highlights the critical role that Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) play in safeguarding biodiversity, supporting sustainable livelihoods, strengthening climate resilience and ensuring that future generations inherit thriving oceans.
MPAs are much more than lines drawn on a map. When designed and managed effectively, they provide safe havens for species to breed, feed and recover. They protect critical habitats, support fisheries, improve ecosystem resilience, and where populations have declined, can create the conditions needed for recovery and rewilding.
In Bahrain, six MPAs have been established to conserve some of the Kingdom’s most important marine ecosystems and species. Yet effective conservation requires more than protection alone. It requires science, monitoring and evidence-based decision-making to ensure that these areas continue to deliver positive outcomes for both nature and people.
At Nuwat, we are proud to contribute to this effort through research that helps strengthen our understanding of Bahrain’s marine ecosystems and informs national conservation priorities.
Over the past few years, we have been studying Bahrain’s pearl oyster populations to better understand their distribution, habitat associations, population density and health. This information helps decision-makers identify areas that may require additional protection, assess whether existing protected areas are effectively conserving oyster populations and determine where enhanced management measures such as no-take zones may be needed to support population recovery.
Through our FinSight Bahrain project, we have also been working to identify areas that may serve as shark nursery grounds, aggregation areas or important movement corridors. As apex predators, sharks play an important role in maintaining healthy marine ecosystems, making the identification and protection of these critical habitats an important component of long-term ocean stewardship.
Our research on dugongs and seagrass ecosystems through the Animating the Carbon Cycle (ACC) project has further demonstrated the connections between biodiversity conservation and climate action. The project found that healthy dugong populations can enhance the ecological processes that support carbon capture and storage in seagrass ecosystems, highlighting the importance of protecting both species and habitats as part of nature-based climate solutions.
In addition, our ongoing coral reef research continues to generate evidence that supports better management and conservation of one of Bahrain’s most valuable marine ecosystems. Coral reefs provide habitat for countless species, support fisheries, protect coastlines and contribute to the overall resilience of our marine environment.
Together, these projects demonstrate a simple but powerful principle: strong MPAs depend on strong science.
This World Oceans Day, we are also delighted to share our gift to the world.
To inspire the next generation of ocean stewards, Nuwat has developed “Shark Tales of the Arabian Gulf“, a free educational resource designed for children aged 8–12 years old. Available in both Arabic and English, the resource introduces young learners to the fascinating sharks of the Arabian Gulf through engaging activities, lesson plans and educational content suitable for schools, families, environmental clubs and educators. Nuwat would like to thank both Dr. Dareen AlMojil, the first khaleeji shark specialist and Athena Teli who dedicated their time, effort and knowledge into creating this resource and our wonderful creative director Amna Qureshi for the creative presentation!
Because protecting sharks begins with understanding them.
We invite educators, parents, schools, and young ocean explorers around the world to download their free copy through the link provided.
As we celebrate World Oceans Day, let us remember that strong Marine Protected Areas are not only investments in biodiversity, they are investments in climate resilience, food security, cultural heritage and our shared future.
Because to be climate resilient is to have an ocean full of life.