Diversity and Conservation of Cetaceans in Pakistan

Pakistan has total coastline of about 990 km, while diversity, distribution and abundance of cetaceans are not well understood. All historic and most recent information are based on opportunistic stranding or incidental bycatch in fishing nets, which has been a big obstacle in formulating any conservation strategy for cetaceans in Pakistan. Recent initiatives were taken and conducted surveys along the entire coastline. Although, some species have been identified well, however, still, lack of detail studies on population biology and ecology of these species. Many other species are still lack of the expertise for identification or they were misidentified. So far, a total of 18 cetacean species have been recorded in Pakistan, consisting of 3 endangered species namely blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus), Arabian sea humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) and Indian Ocean humpback dolphin (Sousa plumbea), 2 vulnerable such as the sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus) and Indo-Pacific finless porpoise (Neophocaena phocoenoid) and others 13 species are listed as data deficient. Future studies should be focused to systematic investigations on stock identification, distribution, and also evaluate the anthropogenic threats to the cetaceans. As the cetaceans has unique evolutionary history among mammals and top predator in the aquatic ecosystem. The national policies and legislations should be revised to declare them as protected species. More protected areas should be established in some important areas, such as Indus delta along the Sindh coastline to sustain the integrity of habitat and long-term conservation and management of cetaceans along the entire coastal area of Pakistan.