Photo Credit: K. Ragesh
Kochi, Oct 4 : In response to the increasing frequency of whale stranding events, a research team from the ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) has initiated a 100-day coastal survey. This survey, conducted in collaboration with the Fishery Survey of India under the Ministry of Fisheries, Government of India, aims to enhance understanding of marine mammal diversity and distribution along the Indian coast.
The researchers, commencing their survey from Kochi, will focus on studying marine mammal diversity within 12 nautical miles of the Indian coast. Their research will include analyzing the relationship between stranding events and changing climatic conditions, engaging in habitat modeling, and recording stranding events.
The collaborative project aims to achieve a comprehensive understanding of marine mammal behavior, population dynamics, and ecology, laying the groundwork for effective conservation measures in India. Researchers will closely monitor occurrences at sea, collecting crucial data for further analysis.
Climate change and its impacts on ocean ecosystems are considered potential contributors to the increased frequency of whale stranding events. The survey will address the critical need to study the impact of extreme climatic events on marine mammal behavior and distribution patterns.
Marine scientists recognize factors such as bycatch, underwater noise pollution, and collisions with ships or boats as significant contributors to marine mammal strandings. These issues can profoundly impact the reproductive success and survival rate of marine mammals.
The CMFRI initiated the marine mammal assessment project in 2021, recording 16 marine mammal species through on-board visual surveys within the Indian Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). After a temporary hiatus, the project resumed in 2023, employing the line transect methodology for sighting and species-level counting of animals.
A workshop on ‘Advancements in Research for Marine Mammal Conservation in India’ is scheduled for the upcoming Agriculture Science Congress (ASC) in Kochi from October 10 to 13.
