Humpback whales found in the Arabian Sea are a species of baleen whales; after the monsoon, they migrate to Pakistani waters.
A large pod of endangered Arabian humpback whales has been spotted off the coast of Gwadar, Balochistan – a rare and encouraging sighting for marine conservation. The spectacular moment, when six humpback whales simultaneously breached the sea surface, was recorded on a mobile camera by the captain of a fishing boat on the open sea to catch fish.
Humpback whales found in the Arabian Sea are a species of baleen whale, mainly located between Yemen and Sri Lanka. After the monsoon, they migrate to Pakistani waters to feed on shrimp and other small fish. “The presence of a pod of more than six whales is a sign of recovery along the Pakistani coast,” said Muhammad Moazzam Khan, technical advisor to WWF-Pakistan.
According to WWF-Pakistan, the group was spotted yesterday evening by a group of fishermen led by Captain Amir Dad Kareem, about 11 nautical miles south of the Gwadar coast, heading west to east across the Arabian Sea.
Last week, a pod of Bryde’s whales was also reported in Eastern Gwadar Bay, further highlighting the rich biodiversity of Balochistan’s coastal waters. So far, 27 species of whales and dolphins have been recorded in Pakistan’s marine habitats.
Khan explained that the Arabian Sea humpback whales are unique: unlike many populations of humpback whales that migrate to Antarctic waters in summer to feed on krill, this group remains confined to the Arabian Sea all year round.
Commercial whaling, particularly between 1963 and 1967 by Soviet fleets, had a serious impact on their numbers. “This large group shows that the dangerously declining population of Arabian humpback whales could be making a comeback along Pakistan’s coasts,” said Moazzam Khan.
Rab Nawaz, WWF-Pakistan’s senior director for biodiversity, welcomed the recent sightings of humpback whales, as well as repeated sightings of Bryde’s and blue whales along the coasts of Sindh and Balochistan.
“We appreciate the fishing community for monitoring sightings of whales, dolphins and other marine wildlife and reporting them to WWF. This contribution to citizen science is very valuable,” said Rab Nawaz. “The awareness created by WWF among fishermen and the general public helps protect marine species, which is commendable.”
A majestic species under protection
Marine experts note that humpback whales are among the largest marine mammals on the planet. Their ability to produce powerful ocean sounds and their spectacular leaps out of the water make them easily recognizable. Their distinctive hump-shaped dorsal fin and large, beautifully patterned tail allow observers to identify them from afar.
Humpback whales feed on krill and small marine organisms, trapping their prey in bubble nets before swallowing them. As mammals, mother whales nurse their young for up to a year, making them very vulnerable to environmental threats. This latest sighting has renewed hopes that Pakistani waters remain a critical sanctuary for endangered marine life – and that the future of the Arabian humpback whale in the region can still be assured.
