A rare whale shark has been spotted near Charna Island in Karachi, according to the Pakistan Boat Rally and Fishing Association (PBRFA), according to the reports.
Members of the PBRFA captured videos of the whale shark using an underwater camera and spent about 20 minutes swimming alongside it.
The waters around Charna Island, with depths ranging from 20 to 60 feet, are rich in marine life. Whale sharks and whales frequently visit this area, especially during the winter or after the monsoon season, when minerals from the mountains are carried into the sea by the Hub River, enriching the marine environment, according to the PBRFA.
PBRFA President Ahmed Mamoor Amimi described the sighting as a “gift to all Pakistanis” and praised Manan Sheikh, a member of the association, for highlighting the beauty of Pakistan’s coastal waters.
The PBRFA noted that the global population of whale sharks is estimated to be around 150,000, as the species is endangered worldwide.
Locally known as Andhi Mangar in Sindhi and Baraan in Balochi, the whale shark is found along Pakistan’s coastline and gives birth to its young in the northern waters of Charna Island.
Although whale sharks were hunted until 1970, fishermen are now actively working to protect this endangered species.
