'600 Goa lifeguards trained to handle injured marine life'

Panaji, Aug 28 (IANS) As many as 600 lifeguards in Goa have been trained as first responders to handle injured marine animals or their carcasses washed ashore, a private beach management agency tasked with safeguarding Goa's beaches said on Tuesday.

"Drishti Marine lifeguards are the front-line responders to injured marine wildlife along Goa's coast and can assist the Forest Department in the rescue efforts and collect accurate records of such incidents," company Chief Executive Officer Ravi Shankar told reporters here.

A series of workshops have been conducted by the company in collaboration with the Forest Department and NGOs working in the field. 

Carcasses of whales and other sea creatures have been washed ashore in the past on Goa's 100-km plus coastline, often leading to squabbles between government departments and consequent delay in the disposal of the carcasses.

There have also been instances of injuries to dolphins and turtles, both protected species, after getting trapped in fishing nets, and their subsequent death due to lack of coordinated rescue efforts.