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SC/69A/CMP/05
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Resource ID
19961
Access
Open
Document Number
SC/69A/CMP/05
Full Title
Sightings of whales in the Northern Arabian Sea along the coast of Pakistan in 2022 and 2023
Author
Muhammad Moazzam
Authors Summary
An observer programme was initiated to monitor tuna gillnet operations in the coastal and offshore waters of Pakistan in 2012. In addition to collecting information about tuna and tuna-like species, observers were trained to report observations of whales encountered during fishing operations. Although this programme was completed in 2019, a number of the trained observers continue to provide information on a voluntary basis enabling them to document sightings of whales in the coastal and offshore waters of Pakistan (northern Arabian Sea). During 2022 and 2023 (through March 2023) 15 crew-based observers reported a total of 4 sightings of Arabian Sea humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae), 2 sightings of blue whales (Balaenoptera musculus), 1 sighting of sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus), 3 strandings of Bryde’s whales (Balaenoptera brydeii) and 9 sightings of unidentified whales. During 2021, a total of 34 reports of sightings or stranding were reported whereas in 2022 only 15 such reports were available. The reduction in the number of reports of sightings is attributed mainly to decreased voluntary reporting by the observers since funding for the programme expired.
Publisher
IWC
Publication Year
2023
Abstract
An observer programme was initiated to monitor tuna gillnet operations in the coastal and offshore waters of Pakistan in 2012. In addition to collecting information about tuna and tuna-like species, observers were trained to report observations of whales encountered during fishing operations. Although this programme was completed in 2019, a number of the trained observers continue to provide information on a voluntary basis enabling them to document sightings of whales in the coastal and offshore waters of Pakistan (northern Arabian Sea). During 2022 and 2023 (through March 2023) 15 crew-based observers reported a total of 4 sightings of Arabian Sea humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae), 2 sightings of blue whales (Balaenoptera musculus), 1 sighting of sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus), 3 strandings of Bryde’s whales (Balaenoptera brydeii) and 9 sightings of unidentified whales. During 2021, a total of 34 reports of sightings or stranding were reported whereas in 2022 only 15 such reports were available. The reduction in the number of reports of sightings is attributed mainly to decreased voluntary reporting by the observers since funding for the programme expired.