Dead Blue Whale Discovered in Gwatar Bay Near Balochistan Coast
GWADAR: A large blue whale, estimated to be around 35 feet long, was found dead on Monday in Gwadar Bay, a remote coastal area between Pakistan and Iran. The lifeless whale was first spotted near Kuntani, Balochistan, by local fisherman Ahmad Baloch.
According to a statement by WWF-Pakistan, the whale most likely died several days earlier in the open waters and was later washed ashore by strong currents and rough sea conditions in the region.
While the exact cause of death remains unknown, experts believe the whale may have become entangled in fishing nets, particularly gillnets used widely along the Balochistan coast for commercial fishing.
Possible Pygmy Blue Whale
The whale found dead is suspected to be a pygmy blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus brevicauda), a subspecies typically found in the Northern Indian Ocean region. Its relatively smaller size suggests it may not have been a full-grown blue whale, which can grow up to 33 meters and weigh as much as 190 tonnes.
Blue whales (Balaenoptera musculus) are the biggest known creatures on Earth. In Pakistan’s waters, they are one of three baleen whale species known to exist, the other two being the Bryde’s whale and the Arabian humpback whale.
Conservationists Alarmed
Muhammad Moazzam Khan, Technical Advisor to WWF-Pakistan, expressed deep concern over the whale’s death, calling it a tragic incident for global marine conservation efforts. He reiterated that the blue whale is an endangered species and emphasized the need for stronger protections to prevent further loss.
“These majestic creatures are mainly found in the tropical and subtropical zones of the Indian Ocean, and any loss is significant,” Khan said.
He further noted that although cetaceans—a group that includes whales and dolphins—are protected under the wildlife and fisheries laws of Sindh and Balochistan, there is still no federal law ensuring their safety in Pakistan’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). He urged the government to introduce national-level legislation to protect these vulnerable species in offshore waters.
Previous Sightings
Blue whale sightings along Pakistan’s coastline are relatively frequent. The most recent documented sighting occurred on April 8, 2024, off the coast of Gaddani in Balochistan.
Blue whales remain at risk due to entanglement in fishing nets, collisions with ships, and increasing levels of pollution in the oceans. Conservationists argue that with increased fishing activities and expanding maritime industries, there is an urgent need for action to protect marine wildlife in the region.
