Paris: Noora Jamsheer, Chief Executive Officer of the Bahrain Institute for Pearls and Gemstones (DANAT), participated in the 2025 CIBJO Congress in Paris, which brought together international delegations, experts, and specialists from across the globe. During the congress, Jamsheer presented several of DANAT’s key scientific and research initiatives that reflect the Institute’s commitment to supporting the sustainability of the natural pearl sector and preserving Bahrain’s maritime heritage.
According to Bahrain News Agency, Jamsheer shared findings from Bahrain’s Pearl Oyster Bed Assessment Project, a recurring research initiative studying the environmental status of the Kingdom’s natural pearl beds. The project evaluates the abundance and density of pearl oysters, population size structure, and water and sediment quality within protected zones. Jamsheer noted that the comparative assessment showed no significant signs of depletion or decline in pearl oyster populations, with productivity levels remaining consistent and water and sediment quality stable. Minor variations were observed in population structure and spatial distribution. She outlined several recommendations to further strengthen the project, including expanding its geographical scope, increasing the number of survey sites, conducting genetic sequencing of pearl oysters, and broadening the research to encompass wider aspects of marine ecology and biology.
She also highlighted the outcomes of a joint initiative between DANAT and the Arabian Gulf University titled ‘Measuring Blue Carbon Storage in Bahrain’s Pearl Oyster Beds’. The project examines the current and future impacts of climate change on Bahrain’s pearl oyster beds and seagrass ecosystems, focusing on their role in blue carbon sequestration and storage. The study included calculating blue carbon stocks within pearl oyster beds, including oyster shells and tissues, and conducting an assessment of natural pearls as a renewable marine resource. It also examined the density and structure of benthic and planktonic communities, as well as the effects of climate change on oyster growth and long-term resilience. The project further aims to develop Habitat Suitability Index models and future climate scenarios to better understand potential environmental impacts on Bahrain’s marine ecosystems.
Jamsheer emphasised that this project represents a significant step in integrating scientific research with sustainable economic studies. It provides a comprehensive scientific database that deepens the understanding of blue carbon within pearl oyster beds and seagrass habitats and supports the Kingdom of Bahrain’s contribution to advancing the concept of the blue economy through the sustainable use and preservation of marine resources. Jamsheer said that representing the Kingdom of Bahrain at the CIBJO Congress reflects DANAT’s commitment to preserving Bahrain’s natural pearl heritage and advancing research that ensures the sustainability of this legacy for future generations. She added that the congress provided an opportunity to showcase Bahrain’s regional leadership in the natural pearl sector and to consolidate DANAT’s status as a centre of excellence in natural pearl research and marine science.