Spinner, Humpback dolphins found dead along Balochistan coast

Spinner dolphins and humpback dolphins have been found dead at multiple locations along the coastal town of Pasni in Balochistan, raising concerns over the impact of commercial fishing practices.

Spinner dolphins are commonly found in the Indian Ocean, Pacific Ocean, Arabian Sea, and along the Makran coast. Humpback dolphins, once abundant near Karachi’s Keamari port, have sharply declined due to rising pollution levels.

Recently, rare Indo-Pacific finless porpoises, locally known as 'Tibi Dolphins', were also found dead in the coastal areas of Balochistan and Murdahan (Gunz). Despite ongoing conservation efforts, these deaths of endangered marine species highlight the growing threats to Pakistan’s aquatic wildlife.

According to sources, harmful commercial fishing practices, especially unregulated trawling, may be contributing to the deaths of both dolphin species.

Spinner dolphins are known for their spectacular leaps out of the water, capable of twisting up to seven times during a jump. They are easily identified by their bodies, which display three distinct colour patterns.

Muhammad Moazzam Khan, Technical Advisor at Whale and Dolphin Conservation Pakistan (WDC-PAK), said the organisation has long worked to protect rare and endangered species through conservation programmes, including training for local fishermen.

Thanks to these initiatives, several species of turtles and dolphins have been successfully safeguarded. However, commercial fishing and uncontrolled trawling remain potential threats to these marine mammals.

WDC-PAK had recently expressed concern over the indiscriminate hunting of fish in Pakistan’s waters. Khan emphasised that spinner dolphins are native to the warm coastal waters of the Indian Ocean, Pacific Ocean, Arabian Sea, and the Makran coast.

Humpback dolphins, he noted, were once commonly seen in Karachi’s coastal areas. Many passengers traveling via Keamari and Manora observed these dolphins from boats. Locally, the Kuchchi community refers to humpback dolphins as 'Gada Machhli', with 'Gada' meaning bull in Gujarati.

Experts warn that it is imperative to investigate the causes of these recurring dolphin deaths. If the trend continues, it could have serious consequences for Pakistan’s marine ecosystem, which has already witnessed the disappearance of several turtle species from its coastlines.