WWF-Pakistan in its report, has said that Karachi’s Astola Islands are surrounded by a ‘very healthy’ marine eco system.
WWF-Pakistan has revealed that area around Karachi’s Astola Islands is home to healthy and productive marine ecosystem.
As per details, a team of PADI Certified Indus Scuba divers in their four-day expedition have found out that a healthy marine ecosystem exists in areas around Astola Islands.
The expedition from December 3rd to December 6th was aimed at addressing concerns regarding the possibility of corals and marine life being ‘at risk’ in waters surrounding Astola Island.
The development comes after coral bleaching was reported around Churna Island.
The divers took surveys at key diving sites along Astola Island and reported extensive marine life including important fishes, such as barracuda, trevallies, hot-lips as well lobsters, fan-worm, sea urchins and soft corals in the area, said WWF.
In addition to it, it was found that marine life has prospered in a ship wreck at a distance of around 4 kilometers from Astola Island.
According to Muhammad Moazzam Khan – WWF Pakistan’s Technical Advisor, Astola Islands are in-fact the first ‘Marine Protected Area’ (MPA) of Pakistan.
The area was once the largest nesting ground of great crested tern (Thalasseus bergii) in the world, he said.
The existence of healthy marine life near Astola Islands as compare to Churna Island is primarily due to significantly less industrial activity near the former.
