First stranding record of Cuvier's Beaked Whale (Ziphius cavirostris) at Karnataka coast, West Coast of India

Abstract

The vast Karnataka coast (320 km) is highly productive area in terms of primary/secondary which has in turn escalated the fishery production. This coastal strip is popularly known as the ‘Mackerel coast’ on fishing atlas because of rich mackerel abundance. Besides this, the coast is also rich in other fishery resources throughout the year. This is the reason, why these marine mammals frequently visit these coasts for foraging and breeding purposes. But they rarely caught either entangling in the net or get hurt themselves by coming in contact with propeller of high speed boats and get stranded themselves on the