CMFRI maps marine mammal stranding hotspots along Indian coast

Kochi, Nov 5 (PTI) The ICAR-CMFRI has documented 161 marine mammal stranding cases along the Indian coast during 2024-25 as part of a study to identify stranding patterns and strengthen conservation efforts, officials said on Thursday.

According to ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI), Goa reported the highest number of cases at 113, followed by Keralam with 13 and Maharashtra with 11.

The study, led by CMFRI Senior Scientist Ratheesh Kumar Raveendran, was presented at an international symposium on fisheries and remote sensing held at the institute here, a statement said.

As per the study, humpback dolphins (Sousa plumbea) accounted for the highest number of strandings at 82, followed by Indo-Pacific finless porpoises (Neophocaena

phocaenoides) with 44 cases.

The data was compiled through CMFRI’s marine mammal stranding network, which operates through staff at its regional centres along the Indian coastline, the statement said.

The records were supplemented with validated data collected by trained volunteers and information from open-access databases, including the Marine Mammal Research and Conservation Network of India (MMRCNI), CMFRI said.

The research highlighted the importance of combining field investigations, DNA-based species identification and spatial analysis to improve scientific understanding of marine mammal strandings.

In a related initiative, CMFRI has developed an interactive Geographic Information System (GIS)-based platform to map marine mammal stranding incidents along the Indian coast, the statement said.

“The platform integrates around 1,300 geographical records covering 32 marine mammal species, providing information on stranding locations, species identity, incident records and possible causes of death. Its interactive mapping interface allows users to examine the spatial and temporal distribution of stranding incidents,” the statement said.

The information would help researchers, policymakers and conservation agencies identify priority areas, investigate possible threats and strengthen coordinated responses through stranding-reporting networks, it said.

The three-day international symposium is being jointly organised by the Trevor Platt Science Foundation, the Department of Chemical Oceanography of Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT), CMFRI and the Marine Biological Association of India.

Union Earth Sciences Secretary Srinivasa Kumar Tummala will inaugurate the valedictory session of the symposium on Friday, the statement added. PTI TBA TBA ROH