Fishermen off Gwadar reported a pod of six endangered Arabian humpback whales in early November, a sighting confirmed by WWF-Pakistan. The unusually large group — most regional encounters previously involved just one or two whales — suggests a possible local recovery after decades of commercial whaling. Despite the 1982 international moratorium that helped many species rebound, threats such as entanglement in ghost fishing gear persist. WWF-Pakistan is promoting marine protected areas, community reporting and underwater camera monitoring to help track and protect the species.
Fishermen Off Gwadar Spot Rare Pod of Six Endangered Arabian Humpback Whales — A Sign of Recovery
A group of fishermen working off Gwadar — one of Pakistan's oldest fishing towns — reported a rare sighting in early November: a pod of six endangered Arabian humpback whales swimming in offshore waters. The World Wide Fund for Nature–Pakistan (WWF-Pakistan) has verified the encounter, calling it an encouraging sign for conservation efforts in the region.
The sighting is notable because most previously recorded Arabian humpback encounters in Pakistani waters involved just one or two individuals. A six-whale group suggests the small regional population may be recovering after decades of pressure from commercial whaling and subsequent threats.
Historical Context
Commercial whaling reached its peak in the mid-20th century, driving dramatic declines in many whale species. Our World in Data estimates about 1.3 million whales were killed during the 1950s and 1960s, and the Environmental Investigation Agency places the total deaths from commercial whaling at roughly 2.9 million by the end of the 20th century. Some species declined by more than 95%: blue whales are now thought to number about 5,000, while humpback whales fell to 10,000–15,000 at their low point before rebounding to an estimated 80,000 globally.
In 1982 the International Whaling Commission adopted a moratorium on commercial whaling. That pause — with exceptions for Norway, Iceland and Japan — has helped many populations begin to recover, creating opportunities for targeted conservation work for locally endangered groups such as the Arabian humpback.
Ongoing Threats And Conservation Actions
Although industrial whaling has largely ceased, Arabian humpbacks now face new dangers, particularly entanglement in abandoned or “ghost” fishing gear, which poses serious risks to whales and other marine life. WWF-Pakistan is working to establish marine protected areas, strengthen community reporting networks, and promote sustainable fishing practices to reduce these threats.
Local fishers’ regular reports have provided crucial, on-the-ground data about sightings and behavior, helping researchers monitor recovery. "The awareness we've created among coastal communities and the public is generating invaluable information for the conservation of these magnificent species, and that deserves recognition," said Rab Nawaz, Senior Director, Biodiversity at WWF-Pakistan, per Dawn.
Technology Aiding Research
Researchers are also using underwater camera systems to collect long-term, minimally invasive records of marine life. These cameras have enabled scientists to document rare deep-sea species — including the sliteye shark in parts of the Indian Ocean — and to measure biodiversity benefits from artificial reefs, as shown by studies at the University of Plymouth.
While one sighting cannot prove a sustained population rebound, the six-whale pod off Gwadar is an important data point that underscores the value of local reporting, protected areas, and continued monitoring to secure the future of the Arabian humpback whale.
