**Executive Summary**
On March 27, 2026, the CSIR–National Institute of Oceanography (CSIR–NIO) held the "Marine Venom Awareness & Outreach Program" in Goa to address the biodiversity and safety of venomous marine invertebrates. The program aimed to educate the public on beach safety, improve emergency response to envenomation, and highlight the therapeutic potential of marine venoms. A key outcome was the release of a public awareness booklet titled “Enjoying Goa’s Beaches Safely: A Friendly Guide to Marine Life.”
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Program Objectives and Context**
* Operated under a CSIR-funded project exploring the biodiversity and chemodiversity of venomous marine invertebrates along the Goa coast.
* Focused on the theme: “Venomous Marine Life of Goa: Biodiversity, Safety and Scientific Opportunities.”
* Underscored the importance of marine biodiversity conservation and enhancing response mechanisms for envenomation incidents.
**Educational Resources and Outreach**
* Released a public awareness booklet specifically for tourists, lifeguards, and the general public regarding common venomous organisms and safe beach practices.
* Hosted an exhibition featuring posters, displays of venomous marine organisms, and various public awareness materials.
**Expert Insights and Discussions**
* **Scientific Research:** Presentations covered the identification of local venomous organisms and the scientific potential of marine venoms as sources for bioactive compounds in medicine and biotechnology.
* **Medical Care:** Expert talks provided guidance on emergency care protocols for marine envenomation.
* **Collaborative Dialogue:** A panel discussion titled “Marine Venom: Safety, Tourism Awareness & Research” integrated perspectives from science, medicine, tourism, and coastal management.
**Impact Analysis**
**Tourists and the General Public**
**Impact**
Improved understanding of marine hazards and better preparation to avoid or respond to venomous marine life encounters.
**Action Required**
Consult the “Enjoying Goa’s Beaches Safely” booklet and follow recommended safe practices while at the coast.
**Lifeguards and Coastal Stakeholders (e.g., Drishti Marine)**
**Impact**
Strengthened capacity to manage beach safety and provide immediate emergency care for marine-related injuries.
**Action Required**
Integrate the program’s safety guidelines and response mechanisms into daily coastal monitoring and first-aid protocols.
**Scientific and Medical Professionals**
**Impact**
Identified new opportunities for interdisciplinary research into the therapeutic and biotechnological applications of marine venoms.
**Action Required**
Continue exploring the chemodiversity of marine invertebrates for potential medical breakthroughs and improved envenomation treatments.
**Tourism Officials**
**Impact**
Enhanced ability to promote Goa as a safe destination by addressing marine safety through education and expert-led awareness.
**Action Required**
Support the dissemination of awareness materials to visitors and staff within the tourism sector.
Key Entities Referenced
CSIR–National Institute of Oceanography (CSIR–NIO): The primary research institute responsible for organizing the outreach program and conducting studies on marine venomous invertebrates.
Marine Venom Awareness & Outreach Program: A CSIR-funded initiative focused on biodiversity, public safety, and the therapeutic potential of marine venoms.
Goa coast: The central location for the biodiversity research and the primary area where the safety initiatives and outreach are applied.
Enjoying Goa’s Beaches Safely: A Friendly Guide to Marine Life: A public awareness booklet released to educate tourists, lifeguards, and the public on venomous marine organisms and safe practices.
Goa Tourism Department: The primary state department collaborating on the initiative to enhance safety and awareness within the coastal tourism sector.
Ministry of Science & Technology
CSIR–NIO Organizes Marine Venom Awareness &
Outreach Program in Goa
Posted On: 29 MAR 2026 1:22PM by PIB Mumbai
Panaji, March 29, 2026
The CSIR–National Institute of Oceanography (CSIR–NIO), Goa, organized a Marine
Venom Awareness & Outreach Program on March 27, 2026, under a CSIR-funded
niche-creating project focused on exploring the biodiversity and chemodiversity of
venomous marine invertebrates along the Goa coast.
The programme, themed “Venomous Marine Life of Goa: Biodiversity, Safety and Scientific Opportunities,” was
inaugurated by Prof. Sunil Kumar Singh, Director, CSIR–NIO. A special address was
delivered by Mr. Dhiraj Wagle, Deputy Director of the Goa Tourism Department.
Remarks were also presented by Dr. Madhu Ghodkirekar, Professor, Department of
Forensic Medicine & Toxicology at Goa Medical College.
A key highlight of the event was the release of a public awareness booklet titled
“Enjoying Goa’s Beaches Safely: A Friendly Guide to Marine Life,” aimed at educating tourists, lifeguards,
and the general public about common venomous marine organisms and safe
practices along Goa’s beaches.
The programme featured expert talks by Dr. Kalyan De, Scientist, CSIR–NIO, on
venomous marine organisms along the Goa coast; Dr. Narsinh Thakur, Chief
Scientist, CSIR–NIO, on the therapeutic potential of marine venoms; and Dr. Madhu
Ghodkirekar on emergency care for marine envenomation.
A panel discussion on “Marine Venom: Safety, Tourism Awareness & Research” brought together
experts from science, medicine, and coastal management. The panellists included
Dr. Madhu Ghodkirekar, Dr. Chandrakant Porob, Mr. Akash Fulkar of Drishti Marine,
Dr. Mandar Nanajkar, Dr. Kalyan De, and Dr. Narsinh Thakur.An exhibition showcasing posters and displays of venomous marine organisms,
along with public awareness materials, was also organized as part of the
programme.
The outreach initiative underscored the importance of raising awareness about
venomous marine life along Goa’s coastline, enhancing response mechanisms to
marine envenomation incidents, and promoting marine biodiversity conservation. It
also highlighted the immense scientific potential of marine venoms as sources of
bioactive compounds for applications in medicine and biotechnology.
The scientists, medical professionals, lifeguards, tourism officials, students, and
coastal stakeholders were presented in programme.
The event was coordinated by Dr. Narsinh L. Thakur, Chief Scientist and Project
Leader, along with Dr. Supriya Tilvi, Senior Principal Scientist and Co-Principal
Investigator of CSIR–NIO.
***
Ambadas Yadav/Parshuram Kor
Follow us on social media: PIBPanaji /pibpanaji pibgoa[at]gmail[dot]com /PIBPanaji /pibpanaji
(Release ID: 2246633) Visitor Counter : 30Read this release in: Marathi