Context:

Intertidal Bioblitz, a nationwide effort to document marine life across India’s coastal regions, was recently organized by the Coastal Conservation Foundation and the East Coast Conservation Team. The event brought together researchers, citizen scientists, and conservationists from Mumbai, Andaman, Goa, and Visakhapatnam, shedding light on the vibrant but often overlooked intertidal ecosystems.

Major Discoveries and Findings

This first nationwide initiative on intertidal species was conducted over ten days and recorded more than 3,600 observations and 514 species using iNaturalist, a global citizen science tool. The findings highlight the rich marine biodiversity of India’s coasts and underscore the need for further exploration and conservation efforts.

1.   First Record of Pseudoceros bifascia in Mainland India
A key discovery during the bioblitz was the identification of Pseudoceros bifascia, a flatworm species recorded for the first time from mainland India. This species was previously documented only in Lakshadweep. The sighting in Visakhapatnam expands its known range and emphasizes the need for further marine research along the country’s eastern coastline.

2.   New and Rare Species Found in Visakhapatnam

o    Over 1,533 observations were made in Visakhapatnam alone, documenting 227 species.

o    Two previously undescribed species were recorded, along with more than ten first-time species observations in the region.

o    A night tidepooling session revealed a high diversity of marine life, including butterfly fish, porcupine fish, surgeonfish, moray eels, and a juvenile angel fish.

3.   Biodiversity Findings from Mumbai and Goa

o    Mumbai suburban areas recorded 80 species, while the metropolitan region, led by the Coastal Conservation Foundation, documented 120 species.

o    Notable species observed include the old-woman octopus, orange-striped hermit crab, mangrove leaf slug, tiger moon snail, and highfin moray eel.

4.   Intertidal Discoveries in Andaman Islands

o    More than 70 species were recorded in the intertidal zones of Andaman across three different locations.

o    Notable sightings included bubble snails, flatworms, sea slugs, moray eels, an octopus, and a juvenile stingray.

o    The unique coral-dominated landscape of the Andaman region differs significantly from the sponge and hydroid-rich coastlines of Maharashtra and Goa.

Conservation Concerns

• Habitat Degradation at Andaman’s Natural Bridge:
• Heavy tourist activity is damaging marine habitats through trampling and feeding of marine species.
• Species like mantis shrimp and crabs near the bridge are adapting to human presence, becoming bolder.
• Impact of Coral Bleaching:
• The 2024 global coral bleaching event severely affected soft corals in Andaman.
• Conservationists are monitoring recovery efforts to assess long-term effects.
• Shifts in Species Distribution:
• Pearly sea anemones are being replaced by carpet sea anemones in Andaman’s tidepools, signaling potential environmental shifts.

Conclusion

The Intertidal Bioblitz has laid the foundation for future marine biodiversity research in India. Regular monitoring can help track species changes, assess human impact, and guide conservation efforts. This inaugural event marks the beginning of an annual tradition aimed at safeguarding India’s rich marine ecosystems, one tide at a time.