KARACHI: A whale shark, rare species of fish, has been spotted near Charna Island in Karachi, the Pakistan Boat Rally and Fishing Association (PBRFA) told Geo News on Monday.

Members of the PBRFA shot videos of the whale shark with an underwater camera and swam with it for about 20 minutes.

Depth around Charna Island is between 20 and 60 feet, which makes it a rich area for marine life. 

Whale sharks and whales often visit this region in search of food, especially during the winter or after the monsoon season, when minerals from the mountains are washed into the sea by the Hub River, enriching the waters, the PBRFA said in a handout.

PBRFA President Ahmed Mamoor Amimi said the sighting was a "gift to all Pakistanis" and congratulated Manan Sheikh, a member of the association, for showcasing the beauty of Pakistan’s waters.

As per the fishing association, around 150,000 whale sharks are left worldwide as it is an endangered species globally.

Whale shark, which is found along Pakistan’s coastal line, is called Andhi Mangar in Sindhi and Baraan in Balochi. It gives birth to baby fish in the north of Charna Island.

The fish used to be hunted until 1970, but now fishermen are striving to protect its species.