Endangered guitarfish caught off Gwadar coast

An extremely rare and critically endangered bowmouth guitarfish was caught in Gwadar's East Bay on Monday, raising fresh concerns among conservationists about the declining state of marine biodiversity along Pakistan's coastline.

According to fishermen, the specimen was retrieved from a depth of approximately 30 metres. The fish measured 140 centimetres in length and weighed more than 65 kilograms. Experts said the species is locally known as "Horr Baradari" or "Both Khair".

The bowmouth guitarfish is classified as critically endangered globally and is listed on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List. Its international trade is also prohibited.

WWF-Pakistan Technical Adviser Moazzam Ali Khan said research indicates that the global population of this species has declined by more than 80 per cent over the past 45 years.

He attributed the sharp decrease primarily to excessive fishing and the unsustainable use of marine resources.

Marine experts explain that the species inhabits warm and semi-warm coastal waters and is generally found at depths of less than 400 metres.

Its reproductive rate is low, as females give birth to only two to eleven offspring at a time, making the species particularly vulnerable to overfishing and unable to withstand heavy harvesting pressure.

Historically, the fish was caught throughout the year in Pakistan, especially in greater numbers between January and March, and again during May and September. However, landings have witnessed a marked decline over the past 15 years.

Since 2013, WWF has been working with fishing communities to promote awareness about safely releasing guitarfish back into the sea when accidentally caught in nets. Despite these efforts, experts say effective enforcement of conservation laws remains a significant challenge.