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ISLAMABAD, Oct 24 (APP):WWF-Pakistan has strengthened its efforts to conserve marine mammals by developing a national databank of cetaceans — whales, dolphins, and porpoises — through an innovative citizen science initiative that engages fishermen, scientists, and the public in reporting marine life sightings along the country’s coastline.
In a recent example of this collaboration, a group of Bryde’s whales was spotted off the coast of Gwadar (Demi Zur) on 23 October 2025. The sighting, made by a fishing crew led by Captain Amir Dad Karim, was promptly reported to WWF-Pakistan, complete with video footage captured on a mobile phone. Upon verification, experts confirmed the presence of four Bryde’s whales, believed to be feeding in the area’s rich coastal waters.
“Citizen science allows us to collect vital information about marine species that would otherwise go unrecorded,” said Muhammad Moazzam Khan, Technical Advisor at WWF-Pakistan. “Bryde’s whales feed mainly on small schooling fish such as sardines and mackerel — species that are abundant along Pakistan’s coast. This recent sighting is a promising indicator of a healthy marine food web.”
Bryde’s whales (Balaenoptera brydei) are one of three baleen whale species found in Pakistani waters, alongside the blue whale and the Arabian humpback whale.
They inhabit warm, temperate oceans globally but remain classified as Data Deficient by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), meaning little is known about their worldwide population.
Pakistan’s waters have seen several sightings of Bryde’s whales in recent years, though some have ended tragically.
The last recorded incident was in November 2023 when a dead Bryde’s whale was found near Jiwani, close to the Pakistan-Iran border. Another was stranded in the same region in May 2023.
Rab Nawaz, Senior Director for Biodiversity at WWF-Pakistan, praised the active participation of coastal communities in supporting conservation efforts.
“Fishermen in Sindh and Balochistan have played an essential role by sharing information about marine mammals and adapting fishing methods to prevent whale and dolphin entanglement. Their collaboration demonstrates the power of local knowledge in protecting endangered species,” he said.
Through its citizen science programme, WWF-Pakistan has built a network that encourages coastal communities and the public to record and report marine wildlife observations. These data contribute not only to scientific research and policymaking but also to greater public awareness about Pakistan’s fragile marine ecosystems.
Established in 1970, WWF-Pakistan is the country’s largest environmental organisation, with over 300 staff working across 32 offices. The organisation’s ongoing marine conservation projects aim to protect biodiversity, promote sustainable fishing practices, and ensure the long-term health of Pakistan’s coastal and ocean ecosystems.