Pakistan

Rare whale shark sighted in Karachi’s Charna Island

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Digital Desk

2 years ago

KARACHI: An endangered whale shark has been spotted near Karachi’s Charna Island in the Arabian Sea by a diver, the Pakistan Boat Rally and Fishing Association (PBRFA) said on Monday.

The Pakistan Boat Rally and Fishing Association shared a video shot by members of their group while scuba diving with the giant mammel for about 20 minutes.

In a statement, PBRFA said, “Manan Sheikh during a diving trip at Charna Island … along with friends Faazil Tapal, Rayan Maker, Arslan Khan, and Mikaeel Ali Habib, had the unforgettable experience of swimming alongside this gentle giant for nearly 20 minutes.”

“With only an estimated 150,000 whale sharks left worldwide, this encounter highlights the importance of marine conservation,” the statement read.

The depth around Charna Island, an uninhabited island located in the port city of Karachi, varied between 20 feet and 60 feet, making it a rich area for marine life.

“Whale sharks and whales often visit this region in search of food, especially during the winter or after the monsoon season, when minerals from the mountains are washed into the sea by the Hub River, enriching the waters,” PBRFA said in a statement.

As per the fishing association, around 150,000 whale sharks are left worldwide as it is an endangered species globally. Whale sharks are the biggest fish in the world and possibly the biggest to have ever existed, according to the International Fund for Animal Welfare.

The whale shark, aka the sea’s gentle giants, is found along Pakistan’s coastal line and called Andhi Mangar in Sindhi and Baraan in Balochi. The fish used to be hunted until 1970, but now fishermen are striving to protect its species. As filter-feeders, whale sharks don’t hunt or stalk, and their interactions with humans are peaceful and curious.

Digital Desk