In a rare and exciting development, four Bryde’s whales were recently spotted off the coast of Gwadar. 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 operating area.
The sighting was reported by a fishing crew led by Captain Amir Dad Karim, who noticed movement in the calm sea and identified the whales as Bryde’s whales moving toward the coastal waters to feed.
The Bryde’s whale (Balaenoptera brydei) is among the three baleen whale species found in Pakistani waters, alongside the blue whale and Arabian humpback whale. This species inhabits warm and temperate oceans and primarily feeds on sardines, anchovies, and mackerels, which are plentiful along Pakistan’s coastline.
WWF-P noted that the species is listed as “data deficient” on the IUCN Red List, highlighting the need for more research. Protected under Pakistan’s wildlife and fisheries laws, Bryde’s whales remain a vital part of the marine ecosystem.
WWF-P is building a national databank of cetaceans through its citizen science initiative, encouraging fishermen and the public to report sightings — a step that helps monitor marine biodiversity and promote conservation.
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