Diversity and Conservation of Cetaceans in Pakistan
Diversity and Conservation of Cetaceans in Pakistan
Aamir Ibrahim1, Bingyao Chen1*, Imran Ali2, Hassan Ali3, Javed Ahmed Maher4,
Abdul Qadir5, Umer Waqas6, Sajjad Hussain1, Ahsaan Ali1, Muhammad Moazzam7 and Guang Yang1*
ABSTRACT
The diversity, distribution, and abundance of cetaceans in Pakistan are poorly understood. Owing to data provision by individual researchers, and from opportunistic strandings or incidental bycatches in fishing nets, and lack of a unified strategy, formulating and implementing conservation plans for cetaceans in Pakistan has been hampered. To rectify this critical knowledge gap, the Cetaceans Conservation Project (CCP) and crew-based observation by WWF-P were launched to survey cetaceans along the entire coastline of Pakistan. Additionally, inaccurate species identification and characterization appeared to be misguiding many species names or even complicating well-articulated conversation plans. Based on existing data gathering, a total of 20 cetacean species have been recorded in Pakistan, which fall into the following IUCN Red List of threatened species categories: three endangered species namely blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus), Arabian Sea humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) and Indian Ocean humpback dolphin (Sousa plumbea); two vulnerable species, sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus) and Indo-Pacific finless porpoise (Neophocaena phocaenoides); two near threatened Tursiops spp., while remaining species are listed as least concern or data deficient. Given the lack of detailed studies on these species’ characteristics, future studies should be focused on systematic investigations with improved methodologies, stock identification, distribution, habitat selection, population biology, behavioural ecology, and on evaluating threats from constructions along the coastal areas, ship traffic, transportation, oil seepage, pollution, and other causes of mortality and stranding. The increasing trends of tuna fisheries, pollution and development along the coastline are the major threats for conservation of cetaceans in Pakistan. It is now a national urgency to preserve cetaceans especially with the recent official declaration of all cetaceans as “protected species”. There is only one marine protected area in the country, and many more are needed to sustain the integrity of habitat and long-term conservation and management of cetaceans along the entire coastal area of Pakistan. Finally, the strict implementation of laws and national policies are necessary for a long-term conservation of this unique aquatic mammalian taxa.
To share on other social networks, click on any share button. What are these?
