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First report on the entanglement of Yellow Sea Snake Hydrophis spiralis (Shaw, 1802) in plastic debris in the Northwestern Bay of Bengal
Summary
This report documented the first recorded case of a yellow sea snake (Hydrophis spiralis) mortality from marine debris entanglement in Indian waters, with a fishing net section constricting the animal's neck and causing underlying tissue damage. The finding highlights that sea snakes are vulnerable to marine debris interactions and that entanglement mortality may be more prevalent in this understudied group than previously recognized.
A common cause of unnatural death in marine organisms is entanglement in derelict fishing gear and other marine debris. Such incidents involving marine birds, mammals, turtles and fish are regularly reported. However, few documented cases of entangled sea snakes (Hydrophiinae) exist. This report details the findings of a dead yellow sea snake (Hydrophis spiralis) in the northwestern Bay of Bengal. The sea snake was found with a section of fishing net mesh constricting its neck, causing damage to the underlying tissue and exposing the muscle. The twine was located anterior to the stomach, and necropsy revealed no food in the stomach or intestines. This is the first recorded case of sea snake mortality due to marine debris entanglement or entrapment in Indian waters.