A humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) sighted near Kavaratti Island in Lakshadweep, India on 20 October 2026 has raised questions about whether it might be an Endangered Arabian Sea humpback whale (ASHW). Observed near the island’s eastern jetty, the whale represents the first confirmed record of this species in Lakshadweep. Documented by the Conservation Marine Mammals team working at Department of Environment & Forests and Union Territory of Lakshadweep, the sighting highlights how much remains to be learned about these whales in the northern Indian Ocean.

The observation comes at a time when new research is revealing more about the movements and distinctiveness of this little-understood population of Arabian sea humpback whales. Given the low resolution of the video, it was not possible to accurately match the tail fluke to previous photos from Oman, India or Pakistan. However, a recently published satellite-tracking study documented an individual travelling from Oman across the Arabian Sea to the Gulf of Mannar, near India’s southern tip, before returning to Oman. This provides direct evidence that Arabian Sea humpback whales do move between the western and eastern parts of their range. Meanwhile, a recent genetic study provides further evidence of the population’s genetic isolation from other humpback whales. Together, these findings reinforce the importance of looking beyond individual sightings and national boundaries to understand the distribution, movements and conservation needs of this species and unique population in the Arabian Sea. The Kavaratti observation adds a valuable piece to this picture, although further monitoring will be needed to understand how the whale’s presence relates to wider movement patterns.
Arabian Sea humpback whales along with other species of migratory whales such as Blue whales, face multiple threats across their range, including entanglement in fishing gear, vessel strikes, underwater noise and habitat degradation. Advances in knowledge such as this sighting report, further emphasize the importance of coordinated conservation actions. ASHW’s small population size and restricted distribution make them especially vulnerable to additional pressures. Research conducted in one location informs conservation, but effective protection requires information to be shared and translated into action across the countries and waters these whales use.

A significant step towards this goal was achieved in October 2026, when the International Whaling Commission (IWC) endorsed the joint regional Conservation Management Plan (CMP) for Arabian Sea humpback whales. This CMP was developed in collaboration with the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS) and partners and experts from across the the Arabian Sea region and beyond. The plan provides a framework for regional cooperation, including addressing critical knowledge gaps, assessing threats and developing targeted mitigation measures. The new record from Lakshadweep illustrates why this approach matters. Observations from across the population’s range can help build a more complete understanding of whale distribution and inform conservation priorities. The next challenge is to ensure that such information contributes to coordinated monitoring and practical measures that reduce threats to the population.

Local communities, fishers, researchers and government agencies all have an important role to play in this effort. Observations from local fishing communities may provide some of the earliest indications of whale presence in areas where systematic monitoring is limited. Reporting whale sightings, sharing photographs and video footage, and supporting long-term monitoring can help researchers identify patterns that might otherwise go unnoticed. Through the Arabian Sea Whale Network and the implementation of the regional CMP, these observations can contribute to a shared evidence base and more effective conservation actions. The Kavaratti sighting is a reminder that protecting this endangered population depends on connecting local observations with regional research and collective action.

Read more about the sighting here.