Stingrays wash up in Karachi catch

Rare catch raises concerns over declining stingray stocks along Pakistan's coast

KARACHI:

An unusually large haul of stingrays at Sea View has offered a rare glimpse of one of Pakistan's lesser-known marine species, with videos of fishermen hauling the giant fish ashore going viral on social media - even as marine experts warn that their numbers have been steadily declining.

The stingrays, caught by fishermen from Clifton and surrounding areas without using boats, were seen in the videos being strung together and dragged to the shore on wooden poles. The unusually large concentration of the species at Sea View has reportedly been observed for the first time.

According to WWF-Pakistan technical adviser Moazzam Khan, stingrays are an important marine species found along Pakistan's coastline and in areas bordering the sea. They have been caught in Pakistan for the past six to seven decades, although their meat is generally not consumed because of its poor taste. Instead, it is used in poultry feed. Khan said frozen stingrays have also been exported to Thailand, Indonesia and Malaysia over the past decade. Around 10,000 metric tonnes of stingrays are caught annually in Pakistan, while approximately 38 different species are known to occur along the country's coast.

He said large stingrays bearing leopard-like patterns have been spotted in significant numbers in several parts of Pakistan in recent years. Locally known as gara bari, paton and cheeto, the rays seen at Clifton Beach were caught using a net locally known as beach seine.

Despite their fearsome appearance, stingrays are generally harmless unless stepped on. Their tails carry a venomous spine that can penetrate the body, causing deep wounds and severe pain. WWF-Pakistan has been studying stingrays for the past 12 years. The research, Khan said, has indicated a significant decline in their population, making closer monitoring of their stocks increasingly important.

WWF-Pakistan believes a limit should be imposed on sting ray fishing. Unregulated and excessive fishing, experts warn, could push the species towards the same fate as some other fish populations that have disappeared from Pakistan's waters.