The eight countries that border the Persian (or Arabian) Gulf, a critical marine ecosystem with the warmest water on Earth (1), share in the economic benefits produced by its fisheries. However, current harvest control rules for fisheries in the region are neither sufficiently strict nor sufficiently consistent across countries to protect Persian Gulf ecosystems, especially in the face of climate change. Rising temperatures affect the structure and function of marine food webs, exacerbating the vulnerabilities of marine species and the fisheries sector, as well as the challenges in accurately tracking ecosystem health. To prevent long-term harm to the Persian Gulf’s ecosystems, fisheries management in the region must balance economic and environmental priorities.