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CONSERVATION of CETACEANS in NORTH ARABIAN SEA, ALONG the BALOCHISTAN COAST Rab Nawaz and Muhammad Moazzam WWF-Pakistan Karachi

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CONSERVATION of CETACEANS in NORTH ARABIAN SEA, ALONG the BALOCHISTAN COAST Rab Nawaz and Muhammad Moazzam WWF-Pakistan Karachi 1 CONSERVATION OF CETACEANS IN NORTH ARABIAN SEA, ALONG THE BALOCHISTAN COAST Rab Nawaz and Muhammad Moazzam WWF-Pakistan Karachi Australian Marine Mammal Centre (AMMC) Australian Marine Mammal Centre Australian Antarctic Division 203 Channel Highway Kingston Tasmania 7050 2 Final Report Title: CONSERVATION OF CETACEANS IN NORTH ARABIAN SEA, ALONG THE BALOCHISTAN COAST Pakistan Chief Investigator: Mr. Rab Nawaz, Director Sindh WWF-Pakistan 606-608, Fortune Centre Shahrah-e-Faisal PECHS Block 6 Karachi, Pakistan UAN: 92 (0) 21 111993725 Tel: 92 (0) 21 34544791 Fax: 92 (0) 21 34544790 Email: [email protected] Pakistan Co-Chief Investigator: Mr. Muhammad Moazzam Khan, Technical Advisor (Marine Fisheries) WWF-Pakistan 606-608, Fortune Centre Shahrah-e-Faisal PECHS Block 6 Karachi, Pakistan UAN: 92 (0) 21 111993725 Tel: 92 (0) 21 34544791 Fax: 92 (0) 21 34544790 Email: [email protected] Activity Period: July 2010 to June 2013 3 Table of contents S. No. Contents Page No. 1. Project progress and objectives achieved 3 2. Milestones and timeframes met 39 3. Delays affecting project 40 4. Budget 41 5. Current Balance of Account 42 6. Income and expenditure statement 43 7. Appendix-I 44 8. Appendix-II 45 9. Appendix-III 46 4 Project progress and objectives achieved List of the Project Objectives: • Identify marine cetacean species and hotspots off Balochistan coast • Collect important baseline data on the seasonal distribution, habitat use and conservation needs ofcetaceans in coastal areas of Balochistan • Estimate population abundance of species and areas • Assess the cetaceans stranding on Balochistan coast and investigate causative factors • Liaise with stakeholder communities to collaborate on knowledge and findings • Identify marine cetacean corridors/hotspot and habitat on Balochistan coast that needs conservation measures. • Increase knowledge, awareness and understanding of marine cetaceans and habitat and their conservation needs in the local population. • Capacity building of local communities, government officials and students to become involved in cetacean conservation • Develop an Action Plan for Cetacean Conservation on Balochistan coast based on the study results • Identify suitable site for declaration as marine cetacean protected area • Strengthen cooperation between stakeholders at local, regional and national level through establishment of a platform 5 The degree to which the Activity has achieved each of the objective Objective-1.Identify marine cetacean species and hotspots off Balochistan coast Cetacean Species As a first part of the project, a protocol for identification of marine cetaceans found along the Balochistan was prepared. Beach and boat surveys were carried out along the coast for the identification of the cetacean. A total of 18 species of the cetacean were observed or reported from Balochistan coast. Initially a draft document was prepared for help in the surveys that were carried out along Balochistan which was later on compiled in form of a poster which is widely distributed amongst various stakeholders. This poster is made available to fisheries officers, NGOs, CBOs, school, colleges and universities as well as to research institutions, conservation bodies and print and electronic media. The poster is being widely appreciated as it is first of its kind dealing with any marine animal. In this poster, one species of freshwater blind dolphin (Platanista gangetica minor) found in the River Indus to make the poster wider utility. This poster is being distribution in other national institutions and bodies. The poster is made a part of the report and abridged version is attached as Appendix-I to this report. The survey revealed that along the shallow waters of Balochistan coast, two species dominating which includes Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin (Sousa chinensis) which is commonly found mainly in bays, creeks, lagoons and along the shallow waters of the coast. There is resident population observed in Miani Hor, Kalmat Khor and along Jiwani mangrove area. Females with calves were observed in Minai Horn d at the mouth of Dashat River near Jiwani. Finless porpoise (Neophocaena phocaenoides) is another shallow water species found along the coast of Pakistan but having much less density. Because of their distribution in shallow waters, these two species are more prone to human activities in shallow coastal waters. Fishing operations and pollution are considered two major factors which affect population of Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin and finless porpoise inhabiting shallow waters. Ship and boat (mainly fishing vessels) traffic interfere with the distribution and abundance of two species. 6 In the offshore waters of Balochistan three species i.e. spinner dolphin (Stenella longirostris), pantropical spotted dolphin (Stenella attenuata) and Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops aduncus) seems to be most dominating mostly forming large schools. It may be pointed out that in case of bottlenose dolphins, there are evidences that oceanic congener (Tursiops truncates) occurs in offshore waters but no distinction has been made in two species because of difficulty in their field identification. Other dolphin species encountered frequently in Balochistan waters are long-beaked common dolphin (Delphinus capensis), rough-toothed dolphin (Steno bredanensis),striped dolphin (Stenella coeruleoalba) and Risso’s dolphin (Grampus griseus) are also found in the offshore waters but these are less abundant therefore, encountered on rare occasions. Regarding whales, a number of species were observed and reported from Balochistan coast. The most common whale observed in the area was Arabian humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) which are found in shallow coastal waters to offshore. Arabian Sea subpopulationisconsidered to be geographically, demographically and genetically isolated, with a unique year-round residency in sub-tropical waters of the Arabian Sea. It is estimated that total population of this species in Oman to be about 82 and total population in the Arabian Sea to be between 250 and 400. It was observed to be present in Balochistan waters throughout the year. Because limited scope of the project, total population occurring in Balochistan waters was not estimated, however, there presence round the year may indicate a healthy population in the area. Blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus) is possibly the second most dominating species of whale in Balochistan. A number of sightings were made from the area and a number of strandings were also observed. Most of the species observed and sighted were observed to be smaller size and it is presumed that they belonged to the pygmy race of blue whales. Bryde's whale (Balaenoptera brydei) a number of strandings of this whale was observed during the study. A number of stranding reported previously attributed to fin whales (Balaenoptera physalus) are considered to be misidentification and now these are treated as Bryde’s whales. These of smallest of the baleen whale observed along the coast of Balochistan. Although rare in occurrence, strandings of this whale was observed along Balochistan coast. Among the toothed whale, Physeter macrocephalus (sperm whale) was reported to be strand on the coast of Balochistan on a number of occasions. One live sperm whale was beached at Ormara which was successfully released. Pygmy sperm whale (Kogia breviceps), dwarf sperm whale (Kogia simus), killer whale (Orcinus orca), false killer whale (Pseudorca crassidens) and Cuvier’s beaked whale (Ziphius cavirostris) have 7 also been reported from Balochistan but during the project period no sightings were made or strandings were reported. 8 Objective-2.Cetaceans Hotspot along Balochistan coast Waters of Balochistan including both coastal and offshore are known to be rich in cetacean diversity. However, there are some hotspots where some cetacean species can be found in considerable abundance. There are some areas along Balochistan coast where some cetacean species can be observed throughout the year whereas there are areas where cetacean species congregate during a particular season (Fig. 1). Information pertaining to the hotspots along the coast from Balochistan are given as under: Fig. 1 Cetacean Hotspots along Balochistan Coast Miani Hor This lagoon is located along the eastern part of Balochistan coast. It is comparatively deeper lagoon having a depth of about more than 20 m at some places. This lagoon seems to be a heaven for Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin (Sousa chinensis). WWF- Pakistan as part of this project, also supported another project which was implemented by a local CBO (Sonmiani Development Organization) aiming inter alia to assess the population of Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin in the Miani Hor lagoon (funded by Ocean Park Conservation Foundation, Hong Kong). The study revealed that total resident population of Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin in this lagoon is estimated to be between 60 and 80. Information about the population exchange with population inhabiting outside in the Sonminai Bay. Within the Minai Hor lagoon, there are areas where Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin were observed to concentrate which includes area of Gut which is located near the entrance of lagoon (on southwestern side) whereas area near outfall of Titian River is main concentration centre. In these two places these dolphins are found in large or small 9 schools. In addition, a single or two specimens in most part of the lagoon especially along Damb and Bera villages. Miani Hor is also home of finless porpoise
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