A rare sighting of Arabian humpback whales off the coast of Gwadar, Balochistan, has excited marine experts and conservationists. The large group, belonging to an endangered species, was seen late last night by local fishermen.
According to details, a team led by Captain Ameer Dad Karim spotted more than six whales about 11 nautical miles south of Gwadar. The whales were moving from west to east through the Arabian Sea, in what appeared to be a seasonal migration pattern.
Just a week earlier, another group of Bryde’s whales had been reported in the eastern bay of Gwadar. So far, 27 species of dolphins and whales have been recorded in Pakistani waters, which are known for their rich and diverse marine ecosystems.
The Arabian humpback whale is a unique species of baleen whale that inhabits the Arabian Sea between Yemen and Sri Lanka. Unlike other humpback species that migrate to the southern oceans, these whales remain in the Arabian Sea throughout the year.
Typically, most whales migrate south during summer to feed in nutrient-rich Antarctic waters before moving north for breeding. However, Arabian humpback whales primarily stay in Omani waters and occasionally travel toward Pakistan’s coast after the southwest monsoon, following schools of shrimp and small fish.
WWF-Pakistan has documented several sightings of this rare species in recent years. Experts believe the recent sighting of multiple whales together is a positive sign, possibly showing a slow recovery in population numbers.
Historically, the population of Arabian humpback whales suffered greatly during Soviet-era whaling operations between 1963 and 1967, when fleets targeted them along the northern Arabian Sea, including near Pakistan.
This latest sighting near Gwadar is being hailed as an encouraging development, highlighting the need for stronger marine conservation measures to protect the region’s endangered marine life.
In other news read more about: Endangered Blue Whale Found Dead Near Gwatar Bay
