KARACHI: WWF-Pakistan has appealed to the government to declare Churna Island a Marine Protected Area (MPA) after coral bleaching was reported in some areas of the island.
According to a statement released by WWF-Pakistan, this is the first time that the phenomenon has been reported in Pakistan. “A PADI certified driver, Khizar Sharif, while on a diving expedition around the north-eastern part of Churna Island, noticed serious coral bleaching,” it added.
“In some areas, large patches of bleaching were observed,” the statement added. WWF-Pakistan termed the bleaching a grave threat to the coastal biodiversity of Pakistan.
Corals are colonial marine animals that live in clear shallow waters, and are said to be relatives of jellyfish and sea anemones which form reefs in some areas of the world. In Pakistan, corals are found in small quantities around the Churna Island, Astola Island, Ormara, Gwadar and Jiwani.
In the 2000s, coral patches were identified along the coast of Pakistan under the Darwin Initiative Project. In total, 55 live coral species were recorded from the coastal waters of Pakistan, which existed on a very limited area and were said to be prone to environmental change and other threats, especially pollution.
A coral pictured near the Churna Island has turned white after environmental conditions possibly caused it to expel the zooxanthellae in its tissues. Negative environmental conditions can lead to the breakdown of the relationship symbiosis between coral and zooxanthellae.
In such conditions, corals expel the zooxanthellae living in their tissues causing the coral to turn completely white. This process is called coral bleaching and leads to the death of corals.
According to Muhammad Moazzam Khan, WWF-Pakistan Technical Advisor (Marine Fisheries), there can be several possible reasons for the bleaching of corals in Pakistan.
Commenting on this issue, Dr. Tahir Rasheed, Regional Head Sindh and Balochistan, WWF-Pakistan said that there was a need to protect the rich biodiversity and pristine environment of Churna Island.
He emphasised that this can only be achieved by declaring Churna Island a Marine Protected Area (MPA) as the decision has been pending with the Government of Balochistan.
He further added that once Churna Island is declared an MPA, industrial activities will be controlled and tourism can be streamlined. In the past few years, Churna Island has become a major attraction for recreational activities.
