Rare Sighting of Bryde’s Whales Near Gwadar Coast: A First Since November 2023
WWF Highlights the Importance of Marine Conservation After New Whale Sighting
GWADAR: A rare group of Bryde’s whales has been spotted near the Gwadar coast, marking the first such sighting since November 2023. This marks an exciting development for marine biodiversity in Pakistan, following the last sighting of a Bryde’s whale in Jiwani, Balochistan, nearly a year ago.
The whales were observed on October 23, 2025, by a local fishing boat, captained by Amir Dad Karim, during a sardine gillnetting operation in the Gwadar (Demi Zur) area. The fishermen noticed unusual movements on the surface of the calm sea, located about five kilometers north of their fishing site. Upon closer inspection, the fishermen discovered a group of Bryde’s whales.
Whales Likely Feeding in Coastal Waters
According to WWF-Pakistan, the behavior of the whales, swimming near the surface, suggests they were likely traveling toward the coastal waters in search of food. The presence of these large marine mammals in this area is significant, as Bryde’s whales are generally found in warm, temperate oceans, including the Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific Oceans.
Muhammad Moazzam Khan, Technical Advisor at WWF-Pakistan, explained that these whales primarily feed on schooling fish, such as sardines, anchovies, and mackerels, which are abundant along the Pakistani coast. The region’s rich marine ecosystem provides an ideal feeding ground for these species.
Historical Records of Bryde’s Whale Sightings in Pakistan
The recent sighting adds to the growing list of Bryde’s whale occurrences in Pakistan. In November 2023, a Bryde’s whale was found dead near the Pakistan-Iran border in Jiwani, Balochistan. Earlier that year, in May 2023, another Bryde’s whale was recorded near Bandri, also in the Jiwani area. These sightings, alongside others between 2013 and 2023, indicate a recurring presence of the species in the region, though they remain a rare and elusive sight.
Rab Nawaz, Senior Director (Biodiversity) at WWF-Pakistan, praised local fishermen and the public for their ongoing contributions to marine conservation through citizen science. Their reports have proven invaluable in documenting and understanding the marine life of Pakistan, which helps to raise awareness about the preservation of the country’s threatened marine ecosystem.
A Step Forward in Marine Conservation
This rare sighting of Bryde’s whales highlights the importance of protecting marine life along Pakistan’s coastline. WWF-Pakistan has long been dedicated to researching and conserving marine species, emphasizing the need for further study of Bryde’s whales and other marine creatures to ensure their survival.
As these majestic creatures continue to traverse the waters near Gwadar, it is crucial that the public, fishermen, and authorities work together to safeguard their habitats and preserve the biodiversity of Pakistan’s marine ecosystem for future generations.
