A rare and uplifting event unfolded off the coast of Gwadar, Balochistan, where fishermen spotted a large pod of endangered Arabian humpback whales in Pakistan’s Arabian Sea. Led by Captain Amir Dad Kareem, the crew captured the breathtaking sight on video about 11 nautical miles south of Gwadar Mountain, showing more than six whales breaching the water together.
A Positive Sign for Marine Recovery
According to WWF-Pakistan, the whales were moving from west to east, a strong indicator of ecological recovery. Experts believe the sighting reflects a gradual return of whale populations that were nearly wiped out by Soviet whaling operations between 1963 and 1967.
Unique Non-Migratory Whales of the Arabian Sea
Marine biologists highlight that Arabian humpback whales are unlike any other whale population. They are the only non-migratory humpback whales in the world. Instead of traveling to Antarctic waters in summer, they remain in the Arabian Sea all year, mostly between Yemen and Sri Lanka. After the southwest monsoon, they migrate into Pakistani waters to feed on shrimp and small fish.
Experts Applaud Signs of Biodiversity Revival
WWF-Pakistan’s Technical Advisor Muhammad Moazzam Khan noted, “The presence of a pod of more than six whales strongly indicates that the Arabian Sea population is recovering.” He added that recent Bryde’s whale sightings near Gwadar’s eastern bay also highlight the rich biodiversity along Pakistan’s coast.
WWF’s Senior Director for Biodiversity, Rab Nawaz, praised fishermen for reporting whale and dolphin sightings, calling their cooperation a vital contribution to citizen science and marine conservation efforts.
Understanding the Humpback Whale
Humpback whales rank among the largest marine mammals on Earth. They are recognized by their distinctive hump-shaped dorsal fin and dramatic leaps. These whales feed by creating bubble nets that trap krill and small fish. As mammals, they nurse their calves for up to a year, making them highly vulnerable to pollution and oceanic changes.
Hope for Pakistan’s Marine Future
Marine experts see this event as a hopeful sign that Pakistan’s waters remain a sanctuary for endangered species. The return of Arabian humpback whales not only revives optimism for their future but also reaffirms Pakistan’s role in regional marine conservation.
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