Dead Blue Whale Found in Gwatar Bay Near Pakistan-Iran Border

A 35-foot-long blue whale was found dead in Gwatar Bay, a remote area between Pakistan and Iran, on Monday, sparking concerns among conservationists about the endangered species' mortality and the need for urgent conservation efforts.

The cause of death is not confirmed, but it's suspected that the whale may have gotten entangled in gillnets used for fishing, which is a common threat to marine life in the area. The blue whale is the largest animal on the planet, weighing up to 200 tons, and is listed as an endangered species due to various human activities, including overfishing and habitat destruction.

Muhammad Moazzam Khan, Technical Advisor at WWF-Pakistan, expressed sadness over the incident and emphasized the need for urgent conservation efforts to protect the endangered species. The World Wide Fund For Nature-Pakistan has also called for the protection of cetaceans, including whales, in the Exclusive Economic Zone of Pakistan, highlighting the need for federal legislation to safeguard these marine animals.

This is the second reported sighting of a blue whale in Pakistan's waters, with the last one spotted off the coast of Gadani in April 2024. The incident has raised concerns about the impact of human activities on marine life and the need for sustainable fishing practices to prevent such incidents in the future.

The death of the blue whale in Gwatar Bay serves as a reminder of the importance of conservation efforts and the need for collective action to protect endangered species and preserve the marine ecosystem. As Pakistan continues to develop its marine conservation strategies, the protection of blue whales and other cetaceans must remain a top priority.