Whale shark observed for 20 minutes and captured PBRFA underwater film
The Pakistan Boat Rally and Fishing Association (PBRFA) reported on Monday that a rare whale shark was sighted near Charna Island in Karachi.
The waters around Charna Island range in depth from 20 to 60 feet, making it a thriving habitat for marine life.
According to a handout from the PBRFA, whales, and sharks often come to this area in search of food, particularly in the winter or during the monsoon season, when the Hub River washes minerals from the mountains into the sea, making the waters more fertile.
PBRFA President Ahmed Mamoor Amimi hailed the sighting as a “gift to all Pakistanis,” while member Manan Sheikh was commended for showcasing the beauty of Pakistan’s magnificent waterways.
According to the fishing association, only about 150,000 whale sharks remain globally, as the species is endangered worldwide.
The whale shark, known as Andhi Mangar in Sindhi and Baraan in Balochi, is a common fish in Pakistan’s coastal waters. In the northern part of Charna Island, it lays eggs.
Even though it was illegal to hunt this fish until 1970, modern-day fishermen are fighting to save it in the wild.