KARACHI: Several more carcasses of sea turtles washed ashore along Balochistan’s coast over the past few days, experts shared on Saturday, while calling for an investigation into the increasing mortalities of the marine species.
Last month, the fishing community reported at least three dead turtles — loggerhead, green and olive ridley — on the coast of Gwadar (West Bay) on a single day.
“Over the past few days, we have seen six dead turtles, two of them sub-adults. Five of them were recorded in Gwadar West Bay and one in Pasni,” said Abdul Rahim, deputy director environment, Gwadar Development Authority, adding that five of them were green turtles and one was identified as olive ridley.
The official confirmed the increase in the frequency of dead turtles being spotted along Balochistan’s coast, while describing the situation as alarming.
Several more carcasses of marine species have washed ashore over past few days
“There is definitely an increase in their mortalities. Unfortunately, we don’t have the facilities (in Balochistan) to investigate their deaths that might be linked to the ongoing war in the region.”
The expert explained that turtles were a highly migratory species that chose different places for mating, nesting and foraging and the ongoing conflict in the Strait of Hormuz might have led to their deaths as the channel wasn’t far away from Balochistan’s coast.
“Their deaths might also be linked to the growing use of harmful nets in which they easily get entangled and die. But, all these theories need scientific investigation.”
Five species of marine turtles are reported from Pakistan, with green turtles (Chelonia mydas) the most dominant one. Other species are: olive ridley (Lepidochelys olivacea), loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta), hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata), and leatherback turtle (Dermochelys coriacea).
According to the World Wide Fund for Nature-Pakistan, habitat loss, degradation, pollution, ghost nets and bycatch are some of the major threats to marine turtles.
“The uncontrolled development has led directly to the destruction of critically important nesting beaches and feeding habitats. Hunting and poaching for meat, eggs, calliper, and leather have also significantly affected their population globally but in Pakistan, plastic pollution is the major threat to the marine turtles.
“Turtles mostly mistakenly ingest plastic bags, which is fatal to their survival. Ghost nets (abandoned, lost or discarded fishing gear) are equally threatening,” it says.
Published in Dawn, May 10th, 2026
