Boubyan Island & Adjacent Rivers is an important reproductive area for one shark species.

Bull Shark have been reported from the area as far back as the 1870s (Moore 2018), with historical records suggesting their presence in Iraq even further to the 2^nd century (Moore & McDavitt 2009). Neonates, young-of-the-year (YOY), and juveniles make up the majority of these records estimated through comparison with the species from South Africa (size-at-birth in the area is estimated to be 75–83 cm total length [TL]; Moore 2018). There are also modern records that indicate the area is still important in supporting Bull Sharks at these life-stages. Forty-two individuals caught in this area were recorded in fish markets in Kuwait (26 in 2008 and 16 in 2011; Moore 2018). Of these, four individuals can be considered neonates based on their size (76–83 cm TL) and the presence of an umbilical scar, two could be considered YOY ranging from 90–99 cm TL, and a further 35 individuals could be considered juveniles ranging from 100–160 cm TL (size-at-maturity for females is estimated to be between 180 cm and 257 cm TL in the Western Indian Ocean; Moore et al. 2012; Jabado et al. 2016; Pirog et al. 2019). Bull Sharks use freshwater/estuarine environments as nursery areas, and this is one of few freshwater inputs/estuaries for ~9,000 km of northwest Indian Ocean coastline until East Africa. Female Bull Sharks normally give birth in these freshwater/estuarine systems, and the young remain for up to five years (Çiçek et al. 2023). The regional importance of this area is highlighted by this area being the only known location in the Gulf that supports Bull Sharks at early life-stages.