Led by its 13-member Steering Committee, the two-day workshop served as a platform for sharing scientific knowledge, exploring institutional partnerships and developing coordinated strategies for the protection and management of India’s marine mammal populations
Pic/By Special Arrangement
The Marine Mammal Consortium of India (MMCOI) held its second in-person national workshop on January 9 and 10, 2026, at Country Inn, Navi Mumbai, bringing together researchers, policymakers, conservationists and students to strengthen collaboration for marine mammal conservation across the country.
Steering Committee leads strategy for national marine mammal conservation
Led by its 13-member Steering Committee, the two-day workshop served as a platform for sharing scientific knowledge, exploring institutional partnerships and developing coordinated strategies for the protection and management of India’s marine mammal populations.
77 delegates from 40 institutions take part in high-level deliberations
The event saw participation from 77 delegates representing 40 institutions, including government research bodies, state forest departments, universities, non-governmental organisations, independent researchers, media and students.
Key government institutions in attendance included the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute, Centre for Marine Living Resources and Ecology, Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services, Wildlife Institute of India, CSIR–Indian Institute of Toxicology Research, ICAR–Indian Veterinary Research Institute, National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management and the National Institute of Oceanography.
Forest departments and leading universities join the conservation dialogue
Officials from the forest departments of five coastal regions — Kerala, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Lakshadweep — also took part in the deliberations.
Academic participation included representatives from Pondicherry University, Ashoka University, Sathyabhama Institute of Science and Technology, University of Kerala, Saurashtra University, Indian Institute of Science, National Centre for Biological Sciences, FLAME University, University of Petroleum and Energy Studies and Annamalai University.
Wildlife and marine NGOs bring grassroots conservation perspectives
Several non-governmental organisations working in marine and wildlife conservation were also present, including Reefwatch-India, Coastal Conservation Foundation, Foundation for Ecological Research, Advocacy and Learning, Wildlife Conservation Trust, WforW Foundation, Dakshin Foundation and East Coast Conservation Team.
Scientific presentations and panel discussions shape future policy direction
The workshop featured 22 oral presentations, 10 poster presentations and three interactive panel discussions, covering topics related to marine mammal research, conservation, management and policy.
Participants discussed emerging scientific findings, conservation challenges and the need for stronger coordination between research institutions and government agencies.
Special tribute paid to Dr Ajith Kumar
A special session was held in memory of Dr Ajith Kumar, former faculty member at the National Centre for Biological Sciences, who was remembered as a key mentor and one of the driving forces behind the formation of the Marine Mammal Consortium of India.
Workshop outlines roadmap for India’s marine mammal conservation
Deliberations over the two days helped outline future priorities for marine mammal research and conservation in India, with an emphasis on strengthening collaboration between government bodies, non-governmental organisations and the scientific community.
Strong national and international partnerships support the initiative
The workshop was organised by the Nature Conservation Foundation in partnership with The Habitats Trust, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Oregon State University, the Marine Mammal Research and Conservation Network of India, Mangrove Foundation, WWF-India, Eco Support Pvt. Ltd., Cholamandalam Investment & Finance Company and Dakshin Foundation.
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