Whale shark spotted near Charna Island

According to the Pakistan Boat Rally and Fishing Association (PBRFA), a whale shark, a rare fish species, was spotted near Charna Island in Karachi on Monday.

Members of the PBRFA shot videos of the whale shark with an underwater camera and swam with it for about 20 minutes. The depth around Charna Island is between 20 and 60 feet, which makes it a rich area for marine life.

The PBRFA said in a handout that whale sharks and whales often visit this region in search of food, especially during the winter or after the monsoon season. During these times, minerals from the mountains are washed into the sea by the Hub River, enriching the waters.

PBRFA President Ahmed Mamoor Amimi said the sighting was a “gift to all Pakistanis” and congratulated Manan Sheikh, a member of the association, on showcasing the beauty of Pakistan’s waters.

According to the fishing association, around 150,000 whale sharks are left worldwide as endangered. The whale shark, found along Pakistan’s coastal line, is called Andhi Mangar in Sindhi and Baraan in Balochi. It gives birth to baby fish in the north of Charna Island. The fish used to be hunted until 1970, but now fishermen are striving to protect its species.