Pods of Dolphins Spotted Along Balochistan Coast, WWF Raises Concerns Over Fishing-Related Deaths

**Quetta (Daily Qudrat):** Large pods of dolphins were observed this month in the waters off Gwadar, Gawadar, and Jiwani, engaging in playful bow-riding, according to the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF Pakistan). The presence of these dolphins indicates a thriving population of marine mammals along Balochistan’s coast. Pakistan is home to 27 species of whales and dolphins, and their increasing numbers reflect the success of ongoing conservation efforts.

However, WWF has expressed concern over the deaths of four dolphins reported in the past two weeks, including three Indo-Pacific finless porpoises. At least one of these deaths was caused by accidental entanglement in fishing nets. These porpoises inhabit coastal surface waters and often get trapped in invisible gillnets used for catching sardines and mackerel.

WWF has urged fisheries departments and conservation authorities to adopt bycatch-reducing techniques, expand no-fishing zones, and establish safe habitats for fish. Experts emphasize that such measures are crucial not only for dolphins but also for turtles and other endangered marine life.