Status of macrobenthic community of Manifa-Tanajib Bay System of Saudi Arabia based on a once-off sampling event

► A unique physico-chemical conditions, particularly hyper salinity of the inner bays resulted distinct benthic communities compared to other parts of the bay. ► The assessment on the polychaetes indicated a healthy condition. ► BOPA index probably indicates the residual effect of the 1991 oil spill and the oil sensitive amphipods were not completely re-colonized at certain locations in the bay even 15 years after the spill.