Sentinels of the Sea : A Field Guide to India’s Marine Cetaceans

Ratheesh Kumar, R and Anand, S and Adithya Chandra, P B and Balu Tharakan, E M and Monolisha, S and Zainul Abid, P M and Krishnapriya, P P and Augustina, Treesa X and Utthamapandian, U and Anto, Alvin and Durga, V and Vishnu, C B and David, K M (2026) Sentinels of the Sea : A Field Guide to India’s Marine Cetaceans. Other. ICAR- Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute, Kochi.

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Abstract

Marine mammals are sentinels of ocean health. As long-lived apex predators, they reflect broader shifts in oceanographic conditions, prey availability, and the intensifying impact of anthropogenic pressures. Consequently, a precise understanding of their distribution, abundance, and behaviour is fundamental to conservation planning and the implementation of effective management strategies. The project ‘Marine Mammal Stock Assessment in India’ was initiated in 2021 by CMFRI and is focused on studying marine mammal population, species diversity, and ecology across Indian waters. A core objective of this initiative is to strengthen regional capacity through standardised monitoring and research. This field identification guide is designed to ensure consistent and accurate species identification during coastal and offshore surveys. By synthesizing real-time field observations with published data, including foundational contributions from the ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute and collaborating researchers, this guide provides diagnostic morphological characteristics and illustrative references to facilitate rapid identification. By promoting standardized documentation, this resource strengthens the baseline datasets essential for long-term monitoring and the sustainable management of India’s marine biodiversity. We gratefully acknowledge the dedication of the partner institutions, researchers, and field teams whose collective expertise made this guide possible.

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