| Sonmiani Bay | |
|---|---|
 Mangroves and fishing boats at Sonmiani Bay near Damb | |
  Sonmiani Bay Location in Pakistan Show map of Balochistan, Pakistan Sonmiani Bay Sonmiani Bay (Pakistan) Show map of Pakistan | |
| Location | Arabian Sea off the coast ofBalochistan, Pakistan |
| Coordinates | 25°10′0″N66°30′0″E / 25.16667°N 66.50000°E /25.16667; 66.50000 |
Sonmiani Bay marks the northernmost point of theArabian Sea and is situated along the eastern edge of theMakran Coast, on the shores ofLasbela andHub districts inBalochistan, Pakistan, northwest ofKarachi.[1] The bay is named after the village ofSonmiani, located just north of theWinder River delta. To the northwest, it borders theMiani Hor lagoon, a shallow and ecologically rich estuarine system.
Characterised on its shores bymudflats, sandy beaches, andmangrove forests, the bay provides critical habitats for marine and bird species and plays an important role in natural coastal protection.[2][3] It sustains the livelihoods of local fishing communities, with both artisanal and commercial fishing activities, with common catches including shrimp, crabs, pomfret, and mackerel.[1]
Fishing in Sonmiani Bay has been central to local livelihoods for thousands of years, long before the rise of ancient Indus Valley cities such asHarappa andMohenjo-daro.[4] However, siltation at the Winder delta has changed access to traditional fishing grounds. The broader area, including Windar and Sonmiani, hosts at least 15 fishmeal processing plants.[5] The bay is also known to be a habitat for raredolphin species and, occasionally,whales.[6][7]
Miani Hor, connected to the bay, is designated as aRamsar Wetland of international importance due to its function as a breeding and migratory habitat for bird and as a nursery for fish.[8] Despite its ecological value, the bay is increasingly threatened byoverfishing, mangrove degradation, pollution from settlements and industry, and unregulated coastal development.
Although it lacks formal status as a marine protected area, conservation concerns have been raised byNon-governmental organization and theBalochistan Forests & Wildlife Department.[9][10]
Beyond its ecological and economic relevance, the costal areas at Sonmiani Bay hosts the Sonmiani Spaceport, the primary launch facility of Pakistan's national space agencySUPARCO. ThePakistan Air Force also uses the nearby range for live-fire demonstrations and training.[11][12] Further contributing to environmental stress, theGadani Ship Breaking Yard lies nearby, introducing maritime pollution to the bay.[13] TheEconomic Coordination Committee (Pakistan) has identified Sonmiani Bay as a potential site for a futureliquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal. These combined pressures highlight the need forintegrated coastal zone management.