Recent sightings of marine mammals in Andaman Islands, India

Authors

  • Bitopan Malakar Department of Ocean Studies and Marine Biology, Pondicherry University, Port Blair, Andaman & Nicobar 744112, India
  • S. Venu Department of Ocean Studies and Marine Biology, Pondicherry University, Port Blair, Andaman & Nicobar 744112, India
  • Chandrakanta Ojha Department of Disaster Management, Pondicherry University, Port Blair, Andaman & Nicobar 744112, India
  • B. Santhosh Ram Department of Ocean Studies and Marine Biology, Pondicherry University, Port Blair, Andaman & Nicobar 744112, India
  • Nitul Kumar Gogoi Central Island Agricultural Research Institute, Garacharma, Port Blair, Andaman & Nicobar 744101, India
  • Raj Kiran Lakra Department of Ocean Studies and Marine Biology, Pondicherry University, Port Blair, Andaman & Nicobar 744112, India
  • Ganesh Basumatary Department of Ocean Studies and Marine Biology, Pondicherry University, Port Blair, Andaman & Nicobar 744112, India
  • Liju Thomas Department of Ocean Studies and Marine Biology, Pondicherry University, Port Blair, Andaman & Nicobar 744112, India
  • Rahul Nagesh Department of Ocean Studies and Marine Biology, Pondicherry University, Port Blair, Andaman & Nicobar 744112, India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.11609/JoTT.o4168.7175-80

Keywords:

Dolphins, Dugong, marine mammals, sighting.

Abstract

This study reports opportunistic sightings of marine mammals between August 2013 and January 2014 in the Andaman region.  Seven sightings were recorded during this period out of which one was of a Dugong, which is significant considering its small population size in India and limited data on its distribution and abundance.  The rest were 24 dolphins (Tursiops sp.).  Four sightings were of the same pod of dolphins on different days at the same location.  Two sightings occurred during regular coral reef monitoring survey and the other five during fishery resource survey by trawling operations.  These sightings are of great significance as there is a lack of studies on marine mammals from the region.  Sighting records are useful for understanding aggregation site, behaviour, habits and habitat and residency patterns and provide important information for conservation of marine mammals.

 

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Published

26-04-2015

Issue

Vol. 7 No. 5 (2015)

Section

Short Communications

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