KARACHI: A blue whale, approximately 35 feet long, was found dead in Gwatar Bay, located between Pakistan and Iran, on Monday. The carcass was reported by local fisherman Ahmad Baloch, who discovered the whale floating near Kuntani, Balochistan.
The whale, believed to have died a few days earlier in the open seawaters between the two countries, was likely carried towards Gwatar Bay by strong currents and rough seas. While the exact cause of death remains unknown, it is suspected that the whale may have become entangled in fishing gillnets commonly used in the area.
The blue whale, scientifically known as Balaenoptera musculus, is one of the three baleen whales found in Pakistani waters, along with the Bryde’s whale and the Arabian humpback whale. This particular whale may have been a pygmy blue whale, a subspecies known for its smaller size.
Muhammad Moazzam Khan, Technical Advisor at WWF-Pakistan, expressed concern over the whale’s death, calling it tragic news for conservation efforts worldwide. He stressed the need for urgent conservation measures, as the blue whale is classified as an endangered species. Khan also highlighted that cetaceans, including whales and dolphins, are protected under wildlife and fisheries legislation in Sindh and Balochistan.
