A decade-long study by scientists from the ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute has revealed a dramatic ten-fold increase in whale strandings along India’s southwest coast, pointing to severe ecological stress driven by climate change and human activity

Covering data from 2004 to 2023, the study found that annual whale stranding incidents rose from 0.3% (2003–2013) to 3% (2014–2023).

Kerala, Karnataka and Goa emerged as key hotspots, primarily due to high vessel traffic, fishing pressure and coastal shelf features.