In a heartwarming sign of hope for marine conservation, a rare large pod of more than six endangered Arabian humpback whales was sighted off the coast of Gwadar on Sunday night, the World Wide Fund for Nature-Pakistan (WWF-Pakistan) confirmed.

Identified by their unique spouts and diving patterns, the sighting marks one of the most significant observations of this species in Pakistani waters to date.

According to WWF-Pakistan’s experts, the whales were spotted by a group of local fishermen led by Nakhuda Amir Dad Karim, about 11 nautical miles south of Gwadar.

Their vigilance and quick reporting have been praised as an inspiring example of community participation in marine conservation.

Muhammad Moazzam Khan, WWF-Pakistan’s Technical Adviser, described the sighting as a sign of recovery for this once-declining species.

He noted that whaling activities between 1963 and 1967 had drastically reduced their numbers, leaving the Arabian humpback whales struggling for decades.

Rab Nawaz, Senior Director of Biodiversity at WWF-Pakistan, lauded the fishermen’s community for their crucial role in safeguarding marine life. “These observations reflect the richness of our marine ecosystems,” he said.

“The awareness among coastal communities and their commitment to reporting such sightings is a powerful act of citizen science one that fuels hope for the protection of these magnificent creatures.”

The Arabian humpback whale is one of the most isolated whale populations on Earth, believed to have been separated from other populations for nearly 70,000 years.

Unlike most whales that migrate to the Antarctic, this unique subpopulation remains in the Arabian Sea, traveling between the waters of Oman and Pakistan to feed and breed.

The recent sighting, along with reports of Bryde’s and blue whales along the Sindh and Balochistan coasts, underscores the abundant biodiversity and productivity of Pakistan’s Arabian Sea.

It serves as a touching reminder that when communities, scientists, and nature unite, even the most endangered species can find a path to renewal.