Another humpback dolphin found dead off Kerala coast from ghost net

Wildlife authorities in Kozhikode have documented the death of another humpback dolphin caused by abandoned fishing nets, highlighting the persistent threat posed by marine debris to protected species along Kerala's coast.

Post-mortem examination revealed that the dolphin had starved following the ingestion of the discarded fishing net, commonly referred to as a ghost net. The mammal's digestive system was unable to process the synthetic material, leading to malnutrition and eventual death.

Humpback dolphins are protected under India's Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, and their presence along the Arabian Sea coast makes them indicators of marine ecosystem health. The repeated deaths from ghost nets underscore the challenges facing these marine mammals as they navigate waters increasingly contaminated with abandoned or lost fishing equipment.

Environmental groups have long flagged the dangers of ghost nets, which continue to trap and kill marine life long after fishermen discard them. The incident adds to documented cases of marine mammal mortality in Indian waters and comes amid broader concerns about plastic pollution and unsustainable fishing practices in the Indian Ocean region.

The recovery and autopsy of the deceased dolphin was conducted by local forest and marine conservation officials, who are investigating the source of the fishing net.