Goa troubled by marine life strandings at Agonda, Velsao and Candolim beaches

Panaji: A series of concerning marine life strandings have been reported along the coastline of Goa on Monday.

Among them, the most alarming was that of a young Indian Ocean humpback dolphin calf found dead at Agonda beach.

“The calf, still exhibiting foetal folds, suggests it was very young. The cause of death remains under investigation, with both veterinary and forest departments actively examining the situation,” sources said.

In addition to the dolphin, two other marine animals were found dead on different beaches.

An Indo-Pacific finless porpoise was discovered at Velsao beach, while a green sea turtle washed ashore dead at Candolim beach.

The reasons behind the stranding of these aquatic animals are also being investigated.

All cases have been managed by the forest department, with postmortem examinations conducted on the deceased animals.

Sources said that this month has seen a concerning rise in strandings of marine fauna, which includes dolphins, porpoises, sea birds, and sea turtles.

“Drishti Marine lifeguards, who provide critical first response support, were instrumental in reporting these incidents to the forest department. At Mobor beach, a brown booby seabird was found injured by the lifeguards and is currently receiving treatment from the forest department,” sources said.