KARACHI, Jan 7: The Pakistan Whale and Dolphin Society (PWDS) was recently launched with the election of its office-bearers at the World Wildlife Fund’s regional office.

The meeting was convened by Commander Liaquat Ali, the society’s provisional honorary secretary.

The society, dedicated to the study, promotion and conservation of Pakistan’s whales and dolphins, is part of the Conservation of Pakistan’s marine cetacean biodiversity and pelagic environment, a joint venture of Karachi University’s Centre of Excellence in Marine Biology (CEMB), the World Wildlife Fund-Pakistan and the University Marine Biological Station Millport (UMBSM).

Shedding light on the aims and objectives of the society, Dr Mauvis Gore, a UK marine expert who is heading the project, said that the society would undertake scientific studies, organise excursions to observe whales, dolphins and porpoises in the wild, publish relevant studies and reports, implement conservation strategies, raise awareness and finally initiate dolphin-watching businesses.

The meeting participants included Dr Hina Baig and Niaz Ali of the National Institute of Oceanography, Dr Fehmida Firdous of the Sindh Wildlife Department, Ali Husnain and Babar Hussain of WWF and Ibrarul Hassan of the Zoological Survey.

Membership of the society is open to all those interested in marine wildlife.