In a rare and remarkable event, four Bryde’s whales were recently sighted off the coast of Gwadar, creating excitement among conservationists and local fishermen. According to the World Wide Fund for Nature–Pakistan (WWF-P), the whales were seen near Demi Zur, around five kilometers north of the fishermen’s regular operating area.
The sighting was reported by a fishing crew led by Captain Amir Dad Karim. The crew noticed unusual movement in the calm sea and soon identified the marine giants as Bryde’s whales feeding in the coastal waters. Such sightings are extremely rare in this region, making this observation a valuable addition to Pakistan’s marine life records.
The Bryde’s whale (Balaenoptera brydei) is one of three baleen whale species known to inhabit Pakistani waters, along with the blue whale and Arabian humpback whale. These whales typically live in warm and temperate oceans and primarily feed on small fish such as sardines, anchovies, and mackerels — species that are abundant along the country’s coast.
WWF-P highlighted that Bryde’s whales are listed as “data deficient” on the IUCN Red List, meaning there is limited information about their global population. The organization emphasized the importance of continued monitoring to understand their migration and feeding patterns in the Arabian Sea.
Under Pakistan’s wildlife and fisheries laws, Bryde’s whales are a protected species, and their conservation is considered vital for maintaining marine ecosystem balance.
WWF-P is currently developing a national databank of cetaceans through its citizen science program, which encourages fishermen and the public to report whale and dolphin sightings. This initiative plays a key role in tracking species distribution and promoting marine conservation awareness across coastal communities.
The rare appearance of Bryde’s whales off Gwadar serves as a reminder of the rich biodiversity within Pakistan’s marine territory — and the importance of preserving it.
In other news read more about: Rare Blue Whale Found Dead Near Gwadar
