The Decline of Bahrain’s Fisheries Due to Desalination Expansion

This investigation is the second part of the series The Cost of Freshwater in the Arabian Gulf, produced in partnership with the Pulitzer Centre’s Ocean Reporting Network (ORN).

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For 64 of his nearly 80 years, Bahraini fisherman Sayed Jaafar Al-Bladi worked the waters of the Arabian Gulf. This work was a lifeline for him, his children, and his grandchildren. However, changes in these waters have forced him to abandon the only livelihood he has ever known.

Al-Bladi, like more than half of Bahrain’s population, lives on the shores of the Arabian Gulf. He knows its waters as intimately as he knows himself. “In the late 1980s, the sea began to change because of the construction of desalination plants,” he says.

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He describes the transformation to Muwatin: “At first, we saw pipes pumping water into the sea. They told us it was for desalinating Gulf water to make it suitable for drinking, farming, and other uses. But things escalated. The Gulf’s waters changed color, and its smell became unbearable. It turned yellow. The fish we relied on for our livelihood fled these waters.”

He adds, “When we noticed the changes in the water, we raised the issue with officials, who assured us it was a temporary problem that would be resolved quickly. But today, the damage has reached every Bahraini coastline. Fish, which are both a key source of food security for Bahrain’s population and a vital part of our local culture, are now almost nonexistent. Our fisheries cannot compare to those of other Gulf or Arab countries anymore.”

Al-Bladi noticed an increase in the salinity of the Arabian Gulf, pointing to visible salt deposits along the shore of Sitra, a region located 10 kilometers (approximately 6 miles) east of Bahrain’s capital, Manama. Sitra is home to the oldest desalination plant in Bahrain, established in 1975 and bearing the same name.

Al-Bladi's experience mirrors that of 4,500 fishermen across Bahrain’s coastline. These fishermen struggle with dwindling fish stocks and deteriorating water quality caused by the proliferation of desalination plants along the Gulf’s shores. Some have abandoned fishing altogether due to the declining returns on their labor.

Data from Bahrain’s Open Data Portal confirms a 25% drop in the number of fishermen between 2018 and 2022. During the same period, the number of fishing boats decreased by 12%, while the volume of fish caught fell by 5%.

Source: Bahrain Open Data Portal

Experts and researchers interviewed by Muwatin and published scientific studies point to the “Al Dur 1” and “Al Dur 2” plants as contributors to increased salinity in Bahrain’s waters in the Arabian Gulf. The discharge of brine into shallow depths has negatively impacted benthic (seafloor) animals, seagrass beds, and, consequently, the livelihoods of local fishermen in the area.

The “Al Dur 1” desalination plant is located on Bahrain’s southeastern coast and officially entered full operation in February 2012 to meet the growing demand for drinking water and electricity. It has a daily capacity of 218,000 cubic meters (58 million gallons) and was developed as a Build-Own-Operate (BOO) project with private sector participation.

In March 2019, seven years after “Al Dur 1” began operations, an agreement was signed to launch a new plant, “Al Dur 2.” Spanning over 192,000 square meters, the new facility was designed to generate 1,500 megawatts of power using combined-cycle gas turbine (CCGT) technology and to desalinate 58 million gallons of seawater daily through reverse osmosis—a technology also employed by “Al Dur 1.” The plant entered full operation in the second quarter of 2022.

Empty Nets

A 2019 study titled “Effect of brine discharge from Al-Dur RO [Reverse Osmosis] desalination plant on the infauna species composition in the East Coast of Bahrain” revealed that brine discharge from the “Al Dur” desalination plant has created harsh environmental conditions.

The researchers collected water samples from ten locations, varying in distance from the plant’s discharge outlet and at depths ranging from less than one meter to seven meters. They measured salinity and tidal movements, finding that water salinity exceeded 55% near the plant’s discharge point. This is significantly higher than the natural seawater salinity of about 35%, posing a severe threat to local marine ecosystems. Additionally, water temperatures near the discharge site exceeded 38°C (100.4°F), particularly during summer, indicating a notable thermal impact.

The study also documented a decline in biodiversity and the abundance of benthic (seafloor) microfaunal communities in areas adjacent to the desalination plant’s discharge point. Fish mortality and the disappearance of benthic marine species, such as echinoderms, were observed around the plant. These effects were attributed to slow growth rates, failures in osmoregulatory mechanisms, cell shrinkage, and endocrine dysfunction.

In Bahrain, where salinity gradient standards are absent, the study compared its findings with the quality standards set by Kuwait’s Environmental Public Authority for cooling water discharge into marine areas. The comparison showed that salinity levels at most sampling sites exceeded the permissible wastewater discharge standards by an average of 2.5%- 9.0%.

The high salinity concentration affected the composition of benthic species, with salinity playing a critical role in the growth and size of aquatic life. It disrupted marine species, particularly migratory ones, such as commercially significant fish like silver pomfret and shad, which rely on this region as part of their migratory cycle.

Al-Bladi corroborates this: “Many fish that were once abundant and even exported from Bahrain have disappeared. One example is the ‘mied’ fish, plentiful until 2002. It was so abundant that children could catch it along the shores. Back then, its price didn’t exceed half a dinar per kilogram because it was easy to catch, as it swam near the surface, unlike other species that required diving. Now, it’s gone. Another species, ‘Safi,’ susceptible to salinity, has also vanished. The salts' influx killed it or forced it to migrate.”

In the past, Al-Bladi used to catch around 40 kilograms of fish daily. Now, his nets rarely yield more than three kilograms—insufficient to support a family. This decline is due to the disappearance of many fish species, such as ‘Bass,’ ‘Zmaroor,’ ‘Hamour,’ and ‘Baddah.’

“It’s not just the fish that have disappeared; shrimp have vanished too,” Al-Bladi adds. “In the past, shrimp were so abundant that they were exported in large quantities. Shrimp traders who specialized in drying them sometimes refused to buy from us because they didn’t have enough space to dry the catch. One trader once told me, ‘If we accept more, the town will reek of fish odors.’”

Dr. Thamer Al-Daoud, a professor of marine biology in the Department of Natural Resources and Environment at the Arabian Gulf University, explains the impact of salinity in his interview with Muwatin. He says, “The effects of excessive salinity on marine organisms are often physiological. Coastal species are adapted to a process known as ‘osmoregulation,’ where marine organisms match the salt concentration inside their bodies to the salt concentration outside. Under normal conditions, marine creatures can regulate osmosis. However, in cases of extreme salinity, these organisms either migrate to distant areas or die because they cannot withstand the stress.”

Dr. Al-Daoud adds, “The same applies to extreme temperatures. Marine organisms cannot regulate their body temperatures, leading to their death. While some species with wider tolerance ranges can endure elevated temperatures and salinity to some extent, they are still affected. Their growth and reproduction rates are no longer normal.”

Jawad Al-Qallaf, a Bahraini fisherman in his 50s, has noticed a decline in fish growth rates. He says, “The ‘Sobaiti’ fish is now small in size and almost extinct; we can no longer catch it easily. Similarly, the ‘Shaari’ fish has shrunk and become harder to catch because it has moved to deeper waters.”

Speaking to Muwatin, Al-Qallaf continues, “The Hamour fish has also changed; it’s smaller than what we used to catch in the past, even though it’s still abundant. I’ve also noticed a scarcity of other species, like the ‘Qarqofan’ and ‘Baddah’ fish. As for the ‘Safat’ fish, it has become rare and is often scrawny. Sometimes, I throw it back into the water. The ‘Faskar’ fish has completely disappeared from our waters.”

Dr. Al-Daoud describes the actions of the Al Dur plant as selfish: “The plant draws water from a distance of 1.5 kilometers (about one mile) to maintain its efficiency, but it discharges the brine directly onto the coast, without concern for marine life, its death, or the alteration of the water’s hydraulic properties.”

Dr. Waleed Zubari, a professor of water resource management at the Arabian Gulf University, chair of the Scientific Committee of the Water Science and Technology Association, and supervisor of the study above, tells Muwatin: “The Arabian Gulf is shallow, with a depth of no more than 10 meters, and it is a closed, not open, water body. This makes it highly susceptible to salinity caused by desalination plants.” Zubari confirms that they identified hot spots heavily affected by salinity within a 200-300-meter radius around the plant.

He adds, “There is a delicate food chain. We studied the micro-benthic communities and found them missing in areas where brine is discharged. These micro-communities are essential because larger fish feed on them. Without them, the larger fish will also disappear. This was confirmed when we spoke to fishermen working in the area.”

Al-Daoud and Zubari agree that the decline in fish stocks cannot be attributed solely to the salinity and heat caused by desalination plants. They emphasize that the causes are interconnected and complex, stemming from various pollution sources in the Arabian Gulf, such as oil spills, chemical factory emissions, overfishing, and other factors.

Seagrass Disappearing

Bahrain’s territorial waters are home to diverse sensitive marine habitats, including seagrass beds, coral reefs, mangroves, and intertidal mudflats. These ecosystems play a crucial role in supporting marine biodiversity. They serve as nurseries, breeding grounds, and feeding areas for numerous fish species and large endangered animals, such as dugongs, dolphins, and green turtles.

Abdulhussein Hassan, a diver in his 50s, has witnessed the changes happening on the seabed for decades. He began his career in the early 1980s when he was just 12 years old. Over the past four decades, Hassan has observed how the waters of the Arabian Gulf—where he has dived extensively—have deteriorated due to desalination plants.

“Desalination plants have significantly increased the salinity of the sea, not just in Bahrain but across the Gulf,” says Hassan. “Bahrain might be less affected compared to Kuwait, where I worked for many years, but the salinity keeps rising day by day. In the past, our ancestors could swim without any harm to their bodies. Today, simply entering the water without specialized swimming or diving goggles irritates the eyes and damages the skin.”

Hassan recalls seeing hundreds of coral reefs stretching as far as the eye could see, with various colors and shapes. Today, however, none remain. “One of the most affected coral species in Bahrain is ‘Arshan,’ which grows like a tree and is known for its slow growth,” Hassan tells Muwatin. “There are also stony corals that resemble the shape of a human brain, which have been heavily damaged.”

Hassan’s observation about the coral reefs is supported by a 2022 study titled “Characterization of the water mass dynamic changes surrounding a seawater reverse osmosis desalination plant on the east coast of the Kingdom of Bahrain.” The study highlights that the Al Dur desalination plant, with its highly saline brine discharge, is situated next to a seagrass habitat stretching from eastern Bahrain through Fasht Al Adm to the Hawar Islands. It notes that seagrass growth decreases at temperatures above 37°C (98.6°F), with prolonged exposure to temperatures exceeding 40°C (104°F) being lethal. This suggests that brine discharge zones are likely inhospitable environments for seagrass during the summer months.

Environmental impact assessments further indicate that salinity levels above 58% hinder seagrass growth in the Arabian Gulf, while levels exceeding 67% render the area unsuitable for any seagrass species. The study also reported extreme salinity levels near the discharge points, with a tendency for high concentrations at the seabed, potentially stunting the growth of associated seagrass.

Dr. Samer Al-Daoud explains the interconnected relationship between seagrass, coral reefs, and mangroves: “If the balance of one is disturbed, it affects the others. Mangroves act as a barrier against storms from the land, protecting the coastal environment. Seagrass stabilizes the seabed, and if that balance shifts, sediment will settle, impacting coral reefs.” He adds, “Seagrass is the most sensitive to salinity and temperature, making it the most affected by desalination plants.”

According to a 2022 study, Bahrain lost over 95% of its natural mangrove cover between 1967 and 2020, shrinking from 328 hectares to just 48 hectares due to urban development and rising sea temperatures.

Defending desalination technology, Dr. Waleed Zubari states, “It is essential because Gulf countries are located in an arid region, and with growing populations, water must be provided. Access to water is a human right. Environmental impacts are often very localized, and new plants are designed to discharge brine at greater depths to mitigate their ecological effects.”

As the scientific debate over desalination’s impact continues, fishermen like Al-Bladi and Al-Qallaf face empty nets. The Gulf, which once provided them with abundance, is no longer the same. Its waters, struggling against salinity and rising temperatures, are driving fish to migrate in search of safer havens, away from certain death.

Fieldwork Contribution: Alyaa almosawi, Bahraini journalist.

Photography and Video: Joint work by photographers for Muwatin who prefer to remain anonymous.