Arabian Sea
Photo © Alex Rosenfeld
Arabian Sea Humpback whale network
WWF India, WWF Pakistan, and Emirates Wildlife/WWF UAE have played key roles in founding and supporting the Arabian Sea Whale Network (ASWN), which brings together researchers and conservation bodies interested in the protection of whales and their habitat in the Arabian Sea.
The Arabian Sea hosts the only non-migratory population of humpback whales. Designated as Endangered by the IUCN, the population is small, genetically isolated and potentially in decline in the face of threats from entanglement in fishing gear, ship strikes and disease.
The ASWN, with strong support and leadership from WWF PK, India and UAE, led the effort to establish a Concerted Action for Arabian Sea humpback whales under the Convention on Migratory Species. WWF Pakistan has successfully advocated for the establishment of two MPAs designed to protect whales and other cetaceans, and also spearheads an innovative tuna-fisheries crew-based observer programme that documents entanglements and live sightings of whales and dolphins in Pakistani waters.
For more information, visit the Arabian Sea Humpback Whale Network.