GWADAR, Pakistan: A pod of more than 500 dolphins has been spotted swimming and leaping alongside a fishing boat off the coast of Gwadar, highlighting the rich marine biodiversity of Pakistan’s Arabian Sea waters.
The remarkable sighting has been welcomed by marine experts and environmentalists as an encouraging sign of marine life in the region, potentially reflecting the availability of food and the ecological importance of the coastal waters.
According to experts associated with the World Wide Fund for Nature Pakistan (WWF-P), the dolphins have been identified as Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops aduncus), a species found in tropical and subtropical waters of the Indo-Pacific region.
Bottlenose dolphins were spotted leaping near the coast of Gwadar, showcasing the rich marine life along Pakistan’s coastline.
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The dolphins were spotted by Amir Dad Khan, the captain of a fishing boat operating in the coastal waters off Gwadar, in Balochistan province.
Muhamad Moazzam Khan, technical adviser to WWF-Pakistan, described the sighting as a promising sign of a healthy coastal ecosystem.
“The sighting of such a large pod engaging in playful activities in the shallow waters is a promising sign of a robust coastal ecosystem along Balochistan’s shores – and especially in Gwadar,” he said.
He added that the sighting was an encouraging indicator of biodiversity and a healthy food chain in both coastal and offshore waters.
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Pakistan’s coastline supports a diverse range of marine species, including dolphins, whales and porpoises. Around 26 cetacean species have been recorded in the country’s coastal waters, underscoring the ecological importance of the Arabian Sea.
Marine conservationists have called for stronger efforts by government authorities and fishing communities to protect marine biodiversity and preserve the coastal environment.
They emphasised that safeguarding dolphins, whales, sea turtles and other marine species is essential to maintaining ecological balance and ensuring the long-term sustainability of marine ecosystems.
The sighting off Gwadar also highlights the importance of monitoring marine wildlife and promoting responsible fishing practices to reduce threats to marine mammals and their habitats.
