Coral Reefs in the Arabian Gulf

Coral reefs in the Arabian Gulf are rigid layered limestone rocks containing small tubular cavities where coral animals live. Approximately sixty coral species have been identified in the Arabian Gulf on the eastern coast of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, with less diversity and density compared to the Red Sea. Coral islands play a crucial role in the ecosystem, serving as vital breeding grounds for sea turtles in the Arabian Gulf. Additionally, they are highly significant for fishermen, as reef fish account for around 40 percent of the total fisheries in the Gulf.

The scarcity of coral reefs in the Arabian Gulf, compared to the ‏coral reefs in the Red Sea,‏ is primarily attributed to the difference in water temperature, high salinity, oil spills, pollution, and high concentration of residential and industrial areas along the Gulf coast. It is also affected by the sedimentation of coastal mud and sand particles, which buries and suffocates reefs, overfishing, and the destruction of mangrove forests near the coast.

Coral bleaching, caused by rising temperatures, has become a global crisis, significantly impacting coral reefs worldwide, including those in the Arabian Gulf. In 1999, approximately 99 percent of coral colonies around Abu Ali Island perished due to bleaching, and similar mortality rates were observed around Jana and Kiran Islands.

Coral islands in the Arabian Gulf, particularly in the Kingdom's waters, including Kiran, Karin, Harqus, Jana, and Abu Ali Islands, hold significant environmental value. These islands serve as crucial breeding grounds for sea turtles in the Arabian Gulf, in addition to terns and Socotra cormorants. Annually, during the mating season, these islands attract around one thousand turtles. Additionally, the coral reefs surrounding these islands are key mating sites for green turtles.

Coral islands are highly significant to fishermen, as they are inhabited by a diverse range of fish species. Coral reef fish account for approximately 40 percent of the total fisheries in the Gulf. Moreover, these coral islands are vital for marine tourism, serving as an attraction for divers. In the Kingdom's waters of the Arabian Gulf, numerous coral reefs, such as al-Fushut, al-Qita', and al-Qassar, are widely spread. These include Qita't Khalaweh, Qita't al-Baladani, Qassar Um al-Sahal, Fushut al-Kash, and Fushut Najwah in the northern region, while Fushut Um Jannah facing Ras Abu Qamis in the southern region.