Kochi's CMFRI maps 161 sea mammal strandings on India's coast, with Goa recording the most

Keralam Science Environment & Climate Science & Technology

Kochi's CMFRI maps 161 sea mammal strandings on India's coast, with Goa recording the most

5 November 2026

The Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) at Kochi has recorded 161 cases of marine mammals stranding along the Indian coast in 2024-25. Goa had the highest number (113), followed by Kerala (13) and Maharashtra (11). The largest share were humpback dolphins (Sousa plumbea), with 82 cases, and Indo-Pacific finless porpoises (Neophocaena phocaenoides) came next with 44. The institute prepared a Geographic Information System (GIS)-based map to read stranding patterns and guide conservation. The work was led by senior scientist Ratheesh Kumar Raveendran. It was presented at the international symposium on fisheries and remote sensing held at CMFRI.

Strandings recorded: 161 Goa (highest): 113 Most stranded species: Sousa plumbea

Why it matters for exams: CMFRI works under ICAR and is based at Kochi; GIS and India's coastal dolphins and porpoises are recurring environment and science questions.

Kerala PSCUPSC

5 November 2026 Source: The Hindu

In plain words

Stranding — When a whale, dolphin or other marine mammal is found alive or dead on a beach or in shallow water.

GIS Geographic Information System — A computer system that stores, maps and analyses location-based data.

CMFRI Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute — ICAR's marine fisheries research institute, headquartered at Kochi.