🌊 Majestic Return to Gwadar! Four Rare Bryde’s Whales Spotted Off Pakistan’s Coast After Years

In a breathtaking discovery, four Bryde’s whales were recently sighted off the coast of Gwadar, Balochistan, marking one of the rarest marine encounters in Pakistan’s recent history. The sighting was confirmed by the World Wide Fund for Nature-Pakistan (WWF-P), which praised the contribution of local fishermen in reporting the event.

Whales Spotted by Local Fishermen

According to WWF-P, the pod was sighted near Demi Zur, a few kilometers north of Gwadar, by fishermen participating in the organisation’s citizen science initiative. The whales were first noticed by Captain Amir Dad Karim, who saw movement across the calm sea and approached the area to investigate. To his surprise, he and his crew encountered four large baleen whales, later identified as Bryde’s whales (Balaenoptera brydei) — a warm-water species that typically feeds on small schooling fish like sardines, anchovies, and mackerel.

A Rare Species in Pakistani Waters

Bryde’s whales are among only three baleen whale species known to inhabit Pakistan’s waters, alongside the blue whale and Arabian humpback whale. These whales are generally found in tropical and temperate oceans but are considered “data deficient” by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) due to limited global research.

WWF-P stressed that all whale species, including Bryde’s, are protected under Pakistan’s wildlife and fisheries laws, as well as international trade regulations. The organisation noted that such sightings are powerful reminders of Pakistan’s rich marine biodiversity and the urgent need to safeguard it.

Citizen Science Boosting Marine Conservation

Through its citizen science program, WWF-Pakistan is building a national databank of cetaceans — encompassing whales, dolphins, and porpoises — by encouraging local communities and fishermen to share their observations.

“Citizen science allows us to gather essential data that would otherwise remain undocumented,” said Muhammad Moazzam Khan, Technical Adviser at WWF-Pakistan. “This sighting is a positive sign of a thriving marine ecosystem and balanced food web.”

Past Sightings and Conservation Challenges

Pakistan’s coastal waters have seen a handful of Bryde’s whale sightings in recent years, though not all have ended well. In November 2023, a dead Bryde’s whale was discovered near Jiwani, close to the Pakistan-Iran border, following a similar incident in May 2023 in the same region.

Despite these challenges, WWF-Pakistan remains committed to protecting the nation’s marine life. Rab Nawaz, Senior Director for Biodiversity at WWF-Pakistan, highlighted the critical role of local communities in these efforts.

“Fishermen in Sindh and Balochistan have been instrumental in providing information about whale and dolphin activity,” he said. “Their cooperation in adapting safer fishing methods demonstrates how traditional knowledge and community engagement can support conservation.”

WWF-Pakistan’s Ongoing Efforts

Founded in 1970, WWF-Pakistan is the country’s largest environmental organisation, operating through 32 offices and over 300 dedicated staff members. Its marine conservation programs focus on protecting biodiversity, promoting sustainable fishing, and ensuring the long-term health of Pakistan’s coastal ecosystems.

The recent whale sighting, experts say, is more than just a natural wonder — it’s a symbol of hope that Pakistan’s marine environment, with the right protection and awareness, can continue to flourish.