RECORDER REPORT

KARACHI: Experts seek broad-based measures to protect the under threat marine mega fauna as the flagship aquatic species indicate health of oceans ecosystem.

Lecturing at a consultative workshop that the WWF-Pakistan organised under its Sustainable Fisheries Entrepreneurship project supported by Engro Foundation at a local hotel, the experts said that the threatened fauna is considered as flagship species. The event aimed to address the key challenges to the survival of threatened species in Pakistani seawaters.

Dr Babar Khan, Director Conservation, WWF-Pakistan appreciated the support of different stakeholders in the conservation of flagship marine animals. He shared that WWF-Pakistan has been working to improve the existing fishing practices and is taking efforts to minimise fishing induced mortalities of the endangered, threatened and protected (ETP) species including marine dolphins, whales, sharks and turtles among others. He emphasised on the need to provide better livelihood opportunities to the local fishers who are playing instrumental role in protection of marine mega fauna.

Speaking on the occasion Muhammad Moazzam Khan, Technical Advisor, Marine Programme, WWF-Pakistan provided details about distribution and abundance of marine flagship species in Pakistani waters. He informed that to improve the data about marine mammals (whales and dolphins), sharks, marine birds and other important species, WWF-Pakistan initiated a programme that helped gather information about them. In order to reduce mortality and entanglement of these animals in fishing gears, WWF-Pakistan introduced subsurface gillnetting which is now fully adopted by the fishermen. This initiative is being acclaimed globally as it has led to conservation of many marine animals mainly turtles, dolphins and whale sharks. Khan also shed light on various management measures which have been taken for conservation of ETP species.

While Samar Hussain Khan, Deputy Conservator Wildlife/National CITES Focal Point, Ministry of Climate Change, Government of Pakistan shared that most of the marine turtles are migratory and face various threats while travelling through different oceans. To conserve these species, he called for coordinated efforts at international, regional and national level. He also informed that to address conservation challenges to marine cetaceans, there are several Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs) and Pakistan is a signatory to almost all of them.

To highlight the role of the marine cetaceans in supporting eco-tourism based livelihood opportunities, Master Abdul Rasheed from Sonmiani Development Organisation talked about dolphin watch programme. This programme, he added, has manifold benefits as it helps generate income for locals and also enhances awareness about the ecological significance and role of these animals.

To address key threats to the marine mega fauna in Pakistan, participants of the workshop developed a conservation framework with recommendations. Other speakers of the workshop included officials from provincial and federal fisheries departments, academia and relevant government organisations.

This workshop was organised as part of the project implemented by WWF-Pakistan in collaboration with Engro Foundation in the selected priority coastal areas of Karachi, Sindh. The project promotes improved fisheries management by reforming fisheries governance that helps combat illegal fishing and reduce pressure on marine ecosystem.