Forest dept draws guidelines to tackle marine mammal stranding

Lifeguards, coastal police trained to handle such emergenciesrrrthe goan I networkrPANAJI r rThe Goa Forest Department in collaboration with International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), Mangroves for the Future and Terra Conscious and supported by Drishti Lifesaving Pvt Ltd organised Marine Mammal Stranding Response Workshops in an effort to better manage rescue and handling of marine carcasses washed ashore. rThe workshop offered an overview and understanding on the stranding of marine species along Goa’s shores and ways to handle and treat distressed animals. The lifeguards were briefed on the marine life which exists along the country’s west coast with an emphasis on Goa. rThe workshop also touched upon the process of recording data on the prevailing marine life in an accurate manner which will help in collating statistical data and inputs for the future. Accordingly the accurate processes to be followed while recording important information such as the location, time, condition of the animal, measurements of the carcass and type of sea creatures that are stranded were shared with the lifeguards and forest guards in order to maintain accountability of marine life along Goa’s coastal stretch. r“Drishti lifeguards are the frontline responders to any such happenings along the coastal belt of Goa and can assist the Goa Forest Department in rescuing stranded marine animals. The training sessions will bring about an enhancement in handling the stranded animals and disposal of any carcasses washed ashore. Also, the information collected by the lifeguards and Goa Forest Department will provide a baseline for a scientific valuation into the threats being faced by marine life,” Lalit Negi, General Manager (Training), Drishti Lifesaving Pvt Ltd said. r“The training sessions have enabled lifeguards to handle dolphins in a safe manner that protect the lifeguards, the animals and the crowd. This was a stepping stone towards supporting Drishti to safely and responsibly handle marine animal strandings. As the first line of contact on the beaches the lifeguards are viewed as authority figures and must be trained to know what to do for their own safety and that of the stranded animal,” Puja Mitra of Terra Conscious said. rDuring the sessions the lifeguards were provided hands-on training based on globally accepted protocols to handle stranded marine cetaceans (whales, dolphins and porpoises). The lifeguards were also given a brief on how to treat dead and live marine cetaceans that are sighted on the beach, the procedures to be followed while informing the forest department officials about the marine animals, how to take care of the marine species that are alive and washed ashore, the precautions to be taken while handling the marine life and so on. rA total of 150 lifeguards from North and South Goa along with 50 forest guards and members from the animal rescue department participated in the workshop.