Endangered ‘Koh Baradari’ Guitarfish Caught in Gwadar Waters

A rare bowhead guitarfish, locally known as “Koh Baradari” or “Bhuth-khair,” was captured off the East Bay of Gwadar at a depth of 30 metres. Conservationists confirmed the catch on Monday.

The World Wide Fund for Nature-Pakistan (WWF-P) said the fish measured 140 centimetres (4.59 feet) long and weighed over 65 kilograms. The organisation highlighted that this species is classified as Critically Endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List. It is also listed in Appendix II of CITES, which limits international trade due to the species’ high risk of extinction.

WWF-P warned that global populations of bowhead guitarfish have declined by more than 80 percent in the last 45 years, mainly due to intensive fishing. The species has almost disappeared from commercial landings worldwide.

Since 2013, WWF-P has been working with fishing communities in Pakistan to encourage the safe release of accidentally caught guitarfish. Despite this, effective protection remains a challenge. Conservationists stressed the urgent need for greater awareness and coordinated measures to prevent the species from disappearing.

Bowhead guitarfish usually inhabit warm temperate and tropical coastal waters at depths of up to 400 metres. Historically, they were caught year-round in Pakistan, with higher catches recorded between January and March and again in May and September. Over the last 15 years, reported captures have fallen sharply, raising serious concerns about the species’ survival in Pakistani waters.