Striped Dolphin

  • 27 Sep 2025

Tags:

In News:

  • In a rare observation, a pod of striped dolphins (Stenella coeruleoalba) was recently sighted off the Visakhapatnam coast in Andhra Pradesh.
  • The sighting, captured on video by a local fisherman from Muthyalammapalem, has drawn attention to the rich but under-documented marine biodiversity of India’s eastern coastline.
  • The species was identified by the East Coast Conservation Team (ECCT) with assistance from the Marine Mammal Research and Conservation Network of India — marking one of the few verified records of striped dolphins in Andhra waters.

About Striped Dolphins (Stenella coeruleoalba)

Aspect

Details

Family

Delphinidae (Oceanic dolphins)

IUCN Status

Least Concern

Distribution

Found in tropical and temperate waters of all major oceans — including the Mediterranean Sea, Japan, South Africa, Western Australia, New Zealand, and occasionally, Indian waters.

Habitat

Prefer deep offshore waters and upwelling zones where nutrient-rich cold water supports abundant marine life. Often found near continental shelf edges.

Physical Features

Length: ~2.2–2.6 m; streamlined body; long beak (rostrum); tall, curved dorsal fin. Notable dark stripes run from the beak through the eye and down the sides, giving the species its name.

Behaviour

Found in tight pods of 25–100 individuals. Known for acrobatics such as breaching, leaping, and the characteristic “roto-tailing” — a spinning motion of the tail while airborne.

Lifespan

Up to 58 years.

Diet

Primarily small fish, squid, and crustaceans.

Ecological and Conservation Significance

The recent sighting highlights the ecological richness of the Bay of Bengal, especially the Visakhapatnam coast, which supports diverse marine fauna but remains scientifically under-surveyed.

Such sightings are crucial for:

  • Enhancing knowledge about the migratory patterns and population structure of marine mammals in Indian waters.
  • Assessing ecosystem health, since dolphins are indicator species reflecting the condition of marine food chains.
  • Formulating regional conservation policies for marine biodiversity and sustainable fisheries.

The ECCT’s collaboration with fishermen exemplifies a community-based conservation model, where local knowledge complements formal scientific documentation — essential for protecting fragile marine ecosystems.

Recent Discoveries Indicating Biodiversity Potential

During recent coastal surveys, researchers even rediscovered a sea slug species in Visakhapatnam that had not been recorded in nearly 180 years, further proving the hidden biodiversity of India’s east coast and the urgent need for systematic monitoring.