KARACHI: A porpoise entangled in a fishing net was found dead on the beach in the West Bay area of Gwadar on Monday.

The species was later identified as Indo-Pacific finless porpoise.

Sources said bycatch — the incidental capture of non-targeted species, such as dolphins, porpoise and marine turtles — is a major issue in the West Bay area of Gwadar currently being used for commercial fisheries.

“It’s the second mortality of a critically endangered species reported from the same place within two days. A day earlier, the carcass of a sea turtle washed ashore in the area,” Deputy Director-Environment Abdul Rahim of the Gwadar Development Authority (GDA) told Dawn.

The marine turtle was identified as a Olive ridley turtle, he said, adding: “While we have seen a dead porpoise at the same place for the second time in almost 12 months, there have been seven to 10 mortalities of marine turtles in six months.”

Explaining non-targeted species’ catch, the official said that fishermen modified monofilament gillnets, extensively increasing their length and width, making them a death-trap for other species.

“They are often set over an area of up to three to four kilometres, touching the sea’s bottom. Hence, almost everything is caught, resulting in high mortality of unwanted species [having low or no commercial value] that is thrown away in the sea,” he said.

Last year, he recalled, a baby porpoise with marks of injuries on its body washed ashore at the same beach. The baby was beaten by fishermen before being discarded along with the net, he added.

“There are fishermen who are very much aware of the important ecological role these species play in keeping the sea healthy and they release them back into the sea when they are caught. But, there are many who are not,” the official said.

Published in Dawn, February 20th, 2024