Karachi:
A rare and extraordinary natural event attracted great crowds to Clifton Beach on Friday, since millions of oysters were found on land in a vast section of the coast.
According to eyewitnesses, many of the oysters were still alive, creating a surrealist scene that attracted residents and spectators. Visitors gathered along the beach, collecting oyster shells such as memories and taking photos of the show.
Marine experts attribute the phenomenon to changing wind patterns that triggered strong tidal currents. Moazzam Khan, WWF-Pakistan technical advisor, said the change in the wind direction caused powerful waves that led oysters to the surface and finally to the coast. “While marine pollution often leads to oyster mortality, the presence of live oysters suggests that the action of tides, instead of pollution, was the main cause,” he added.
Khan also identified a huge portion of the washed species on land as blood clams, a type of marine bivalve. The beach, he said, was very full of large and small oysters, indicating the scale of the event.
Subsequently, the Cantonment Board of Clifton launched a cleaning operation using heavy machinery to clear the beach of oyster remains, which had begun to emit a strong smell due to decomposition in suffocating heat.
Oysters are marine mollusks known to their hard protective shells. In many countries, including Thailand, China, South Korea, Malaysia and Indonesia, oyster meat is considered a delicacy. Some species, such as pearl oysters, can produce natural pearls, although these are only rarely, typically in a small fraction of specimens.
Oyster shells are commonly seen on beaches around the world, but they are generally empty without living organism inside, which has died naturally or has been consumed by predators. Most oysters live buried in sea beds or river beds, with some species living for several years. It is known that North America houses the greatest diversity of oyster species.
Oyster shells have been used for a long time in the production of jewels and decorative items, especially those that contain pearls formed at high pressure inside the mollusk over time.
