Team Herald
MARGAO: September has witnessed a concerning increase in the number of dead and injured marine species washing ashore on the beaches of South Goa. Locals and conservationists are raising alarms about the frequency of these incidents and questioning what actions the government and the Forest Department are taking to address the issue.
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On Monday, an Indo-Pacific Finless Porpoise was found washed up on Velsao beach. Earlier that same day, the carcass of an Indian Ocean Humpback Dolphin calf was discovered on Agonda beach. These incidents follow a pattern observed over the past year, with dolphin carcasses and injured sea turtles and birds regularly turning up along the coastline.
The causes behind these marine deaths are not entirely clear, but experts suspect they may be linked to factors such as water pollution, entanglement in fishing nets, or even natural causes. Conservationists are urging the authorities
to conduct thorough investigations, implement stronger protective measures,
and work towards
reducing the threats faced by Goa’s vulnerable marine ecosystems.
With recurring incidents sparking public concern, conservationists emphasised the need for immediate and sustained action to safeguard the rich biodiversity of Goa’s coastal regions. They added that prompt intervention and collaborative efforts between government agencies, researchers, and local communities could be crucial in addressing this emerging crisis.
