Over the past two years, a team of researchers have published three comprehensive review papers spotlighting some of India’s most overlooked marine predators: the Yellow-lipped sea krait (Laticauda colubrina), the Yellow-bellied sea snake (Hydrophis platurus), and the Viperine sea snake (Hydrophis viperinus). It may be noted that these mid-trophic predators, essential to the health of coral reef and coastal ecosystems, have remained conspicuously absent from mainstream marine conservation efforts.

The studies were led by Prachi Hakar, Amisha Nakhwa, Ishani Banerjee, and Sangik Datta under the supervision of Dr Ramesh Chinnasamy from the Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, underscoring the ecological importance of sea snakes. Despite their unique adaptations — ranging from fully pelagic lifestyles to amphibious behaviours — sea snakes have largely been overshadowed by more charismatic marine species like dolphins, sea turtles, and coral reefs in both public discourse and policy frameworks.

Yellow-lipped sea krait. PIC/NARIMAN VAZIFDAR