NATIONAL NEWS
QUETTA: A sizeable group of bottlenose dolphins was spotted earlier this week in the waters of Gwadar’s West Bay, a development WWF-Pakistan described as encouraging for the region’s marine health—though it reiterated that the country’s coastal ecosystem remains extremely vulnerable.
The sighting place off the shores of Gwadar, the strategic deep-sea port city in Pakistan’s southwest.
According to WWF-Pakistan, bottlenose dolphins are a familiar species along the national coastline, with frequent appearances recorded around the Indus Delta, Churna Island, Ormara and Astola Island. In total, Pakistan’s waters are home to 27 species of whales and dolphins.
Stretching over 1,000 kilometers, the Pakistani coast hosts a diverse collection of marine habitats, including mangrove forests, coral patches, seagrass beds and a number of offshore island ecosystems. Scientists classify bottlenose dolphins as an “indicator species,” meaning their presence usually reflects adequate food availability and a functioning ecosystem.
WWF-Pakistan said the repeated appearance of dolphin pods signals that the northern Arabian Sea—one of the region’s richest marine environments—continues to sustain key wildlife. “Healthy dolphin populations show that our seas are supporting a wide range of marine species,” the organization noted.
However, the conservation group cautioned that these positive signs should not overshadow escalating environmental threats. Marine life along Pakistan’s coast is increasingly challenged by pollution, unsustainable fishing practices, heavy shipping activity and the broader impacts of climate change.
WWF-Pakistan, founded in 1970 and operating through a national network of 26 offices, said it remains committed to promoting stronger protection measures for dolphins and other marine species, while raising public awareness about the need to safeguard fragile coastal habitats.
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