Millions of oysters wash ashore at Clifton beach

The rare surreal scene draws residents and beachgoers in large numbers

KARACHI:

A rare and extraordinary natural occurrence drew large crowds to Clifton beach on Friday, as millions of oysters were found washed ashore across a vast stretch of the coastline.

According to eyewitnesses, many of the oysters were still alive, creating a surreal scene that attracted both residents and beachgoers. Visitors gathered along the beach, collecting oyster shells as souvenirs and snapping photos of the spectacle.

Marine experts attribute the phenomenon to changing wind patterns that triggered strong tidal currents. Moazzam Khan, Technical Advisor at WWF-Pakistan, said that the shift in wind direction caused powerful waves that brought the oysters to the surface and eventually to shore. "While marine pollution often leads to oyster mortality, the presence of live oysters suggests that tidal action, rather than contamination, was the primary cause," he added.

Khan also identified a huge portion of the species washed ashore as blood clams, a type of marine bivalve. The beach, he said, was heavily littered with both large and small oysters, indicating the scale of the event.

Subsequently, the Clifton Cantonment Board launched a cleanup operation using heavy machinery to clear the beach of oyster remains, which had begun to emit a strong odor due to decomposition in the sweltering heat.

Oysters are marine mollusks known for their hard protective shells. In many countries, including Thailand, China, South Korea, Malaysia, and Indonesia, oyster meat is considered a delicacy. Some species, such as pearl oysters, can produce natural pearls, though these are found only rarely — typically in a small fraction of specimens.

Oyster shells are commonly seen on beaches worldwide, but they are usually empty with no living organism inside, which has either died naturally or been consumed by predators. Most oysters live buried in seabeds or riverbeds, with some species living for several years. North America is known to host the greatest diversity of oyster species.

Oyster shells have long been used in the production of jewelry and decorative items, especially those containing pearls formed under high pressure within the mollusk over time.