Researchers in Bahrain are employing environmental DNA (eDNA) technology to monitor marine biodiversity in the Arabian Gulf, a region characterized by extreme temperatures. To overcome the challenge of identifying species from eDNA samples, scientists are building a reference library by collecting tissue samples from sharks and rays at local fish markets. Between December 2024 and December 2025, surveys documented 577 elasmobranchs, confirming 30 species. Tissue samples from 329 individuals were used for DNA barcoding, creating a crucial database to accurately identify eDNA detections and establish a baseline for shark and ray diversity, aiding long-term tracking of threatened species without invasive methods.