Fishermen rescue and release rare Risso's Dolphin

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KARACHI:

A rare Risso's dolphin was recently spotted in the waters near Ormara, Balochistan, on March 25. Local fishermen intervened to rescue the dolphin and safely released it back into the sea. This marks a significant sighting, as the Risso's dolphin is one of the 26 cetacean species recorded in Pakistani waters.

Distinct from more commonly observed dolphin species, the Risso's dolphin is characterized by a stocky build, a blunt head, and the absence of a prominent beak. These dolphins are widely distributed across temperate and tropical oceans, including Pakistan's coastal waters. Preferring deeper marine environments, they are typically found along the edges of continental shelves but may occasionally venture closer to shore.

Risso's dolphins can dive to depths of at least 1,000 feet and hold their breath for up to 30 minutes.

Historical records indicate limited encounters with this species in Pakistani waters. Prior to this event, only three instances of skeletal remains and sightings had been reported in the early 2000s. The first complete specimen of a male Risso's dolphin was discovered stranded at Clifton Beach on March 24, 2020. Most recorded sightings have been from the Murray Ridge area, located offshore between Cape Monze and Ormara.

Risso's dolphins typically travel in pods of 10 to 30 individuals, though they have also been observed alone, in pairs, or in large aggregations numbering in the hundreds or even thousands. These dolphins can reach lengths of 3 to 4.5 meters and weigh between 250 to 500 kilograms.

Muhammad Moazzam Khan, Technical Advisor (Marine Fisheries) at WWF-Pakistan and President of the Pakistan Whales and Dolphin Society, commended the local fishermen for their swift and responsible actions in ensuring the dolphin's safe release. He emphasized that entanglement in fishing gear is a significant threat to marine mammals, including Risso's dolphins.

Since 2012, WWF-Pakistan has been actively conducting capacity-building programs to train fishermen in the safe release of entangled megafauna, including dolphins and whales. To date, over 250 fishermen have received such training. Khan further highlighted that all cetaceans-comprising 26 species, including three baleen whales, 22 toothed whales and dolphins, and one porpoise-are now protected under fisheries legislation in Sindh and Balochistan, thanks to conservation efforts led by WWF-Pakistan.

This recent rescue underscores the importance of ongoing conservation initiatives and the vital role that local fishing communities play in safeguarding marine biodiversity in Pakistan's waters.