From upwelling to marine heatwaves, science and fishermen explain annual phenomenon and why 2026 may be different<\/p>\n
Each year, sometime around June, Karachi\u2019s beaches become crowded \u2014 not just with people, but also seashells, hundreds of thousands of them, spread across the shore in dense and clattering drifts. The sight leaves citizens intrigued, with many wondering if something was wrong. The same thing happened this June, as well.<\/p>\n
For the past few days, there has been discussion both online and offline regarding why this phenomenon occurs. Was it climate change or nature\u2019s spectacle?<\/p>\n
The science and the fishermen tell a more layered story.<\/p>\n
A prelude to the monsoon<\/strong><\/p>\n The phenomenon is not new. A Dawn<\/u><\/em> report<\/u><\/a> dated July 17, 2009, noted that large numbers of white and yellow seashells had appeared on Clifton Beach overnight. Another Dawn<\/u><\/em> report<\/u><\/a>, dated May 21, 2016, reported that wave action dislodges shellfish, particularly Venus clams, locally known as \u201cburgar\u201d, from shallow sub-tidal habitats, carrying them onto beaches where they die and leave behind empty shells.<\/p>\n The same event was also covered by The Express Tribune<\/u><\/em><\/a> on May 22, 2016. Both news reports stated that the phenomenon is linked to the arrival of the monsoon.<\/p>\n