Rare Sea Turtles’ Survival Threatened from Balochistan to Karachi

 

                                                                        Wildlife

An alarming surge in the number of Dead Sea turtles washing ashore along Balochistan’s coastline—particularly near Gwadar’s western shores—has been observed over the past twenty days, raising serious concerns among environmental experts.

According to a spokesperson for the World Wide Fund for Nature Pakistan, three more dead turtles were recently recovered from the beach. These included rare and globally endangered species such as the loggerhead, green, and olive ridley turtles.

Experts identify bycatch—the accidental entanglement of marine animals in fishing gear—as the primary cause of these deaths. Sea turtles must regularly surface to breathe, but when trapped in gill nets, trawls, or longlines, they are often unable to escape and drown. According to Muazzam Khan, Technical Advisor at WWF Pakistan, thousands of sea turtles fall victim to this threat each year in Pakistan’s coastal waters, particularly in the Arabian Sea.

The crisis is not confined to Balochistan; it is intensifying along Sindh’s coastline as well. Karachi’s beaches—especially Sandspit Beach and Hawksbay Beach—serve as critical nesting grounds for green turtles. However, rapid urban expansion and unregulated coastal development have severely disrupted these habitats. The growing presence of hotels, residential projects, and road infrastructure has not only reduced nesting spaces but also degraded the turtles’ natural environment.

Light pollution has emerged as another serious threat. Newly hatched turtles instinctively navigate toward the sea by following the natural glow of the horizon. Artificial lighting from nearby urban areas, however, disorients them, leading them inland toward roads and settlements. Many hatchlings are consequently killed by vehicles or fall prey to predators and stray animals.

Similar threats have been reported in the coastal districts of Thatta, Sujawal, and Badin. In these regions, fishing nets, plastic waste, and insufficient conservation measures continue to endanger marine life. Plastic pollution is particularly dangerous, as turtles often mistake floating debris for food, leading to intestinal blockages and fatal internal injuries. Oil spills and industrial discharge further compound the problem. Additionally, so-called “ghost nets”—abandoned or lost fishing gear—continue to trap and kill marine species long after they are discarded.

Experts emphasize that while fishing nets remain the leading cause of turtle deaths in Balochistan, the situation in Sindh is exacerbated by human interference, excessive lighting, and pollution.

To mitigate this growing crisis, conservationists strongly advocate for the mandatory use of Turtle Excluder Devices (TEDs) in fishing operations, increased awareness campaigns in coastal communities, and stricter regulation of artificial lighting along shorelines.

Sea turtles play a vital role in maintaining the health of marine ecosystems. The rising number of deaths along Balochistan’s coast, coupled with escalating threats in Karachi and other coastal regions, serves as a stark warning: without immediate and effective intervention, these ancient mariners may edge closer to extinction.