Brief synthesisThe traditional sea-use of harvesting pearls from oyster beds in the Persian Gulf shaped the island of Bahrain’s economy for millennia. It also reflects the oyster beds upon which the prosperity was based and the seashore link between land and sea. The oyster beds are not under threat and neither is the sea shore or fort. Many of the urban buildings are highly vulnerable in terms of their fabric and decoration as a result of lack of use and maintenance. There will also be a need to ensure that the context of the sites is respected within urban Muharraq.