Country profile of marine environment : Pakistan, 1986

This report analyzes the impact of pollution on Pakistan"s marine environment and fauna. Nearly every kind of pollution is found in Karachi Harbor, the most important being oil pollution. Although a major spill has not yet occurred along Pakistan"s coast, about 20,000 tons of oil is believed to leak into the local waters every year from the Persian Gulf and the west coast of India. Industrial and domestic wastes are also major pollutants of the Harbor, while lesser threats are posed by pesticides and fertilizers, sediments, atmospheric pollution, thermal pollution, and radioactive wastes. Pakistan"s backwaters, creeks, and bays, which are located some distance from Karachi, seem to be relatively free from pollution except for tar balls, considered to be degradation products of oil, which have been found on some open coast beaches. The report describes Pakistan"s efforts to combat marine pollution through legislation and research and outlines a moderate national program which would emphasize the protection and cleaning of inshore areas and move to the open coast beaches only if an important marine resources facility or amenity is to be protected.