Marine

The Marine Subcommittee of the Wildlife and Nature Protection Society (WNPS) was founded in 2018 with a vision to address the growing threats to Sri Lanka’s marine and coastal ecosystems. Recognising the urgency to conserve fragile habitats and biodiversity under pressure from climate change, unsustainable development, pollution, and habitat degradation, the subcommittee adopted a science-driven, multi-stakeholder approach. From its early days, the subcommittee has combined scientific rigour, policy advocacy, community engagement, and public awareness to ensure a holistic response to marine conservation challenges.

Under the scientific guidance of Prof. Sevvandi Jayakody and Dr. Malik Fernando and with leadership by Mr. Medhisha Pasan Gunawardena, the subcommittee benefits from the strategic oversight of Mr. Graham Marshall, President of WNPS and former chair of the Marine Subcommittee. A team of co-opted experts, coordinators, and researchers ensures that the subcommittee’s initiatives are grounded in expertise and experience. 

Sri Lanka’s Exclusive Economic Zone spans 532,619 square kilometres, ranking 51st globally, and encompasses a rich and diverse array of marine ecosystems, including coral reefs, seagrass meadows, mangrove forests, and deep-sea habitats. These ecosystems provide critical ecological services, support fisheries, and sustain the livelihoods of coastal communities. Recognising the immense ecological and socio-economic value of these habitats, the Marine Subcommittee has focused on preserving blue carbon ecosystems, which act as natural carbon sinks while providing vital nurseries for marine life and buffering shorelines against erosion. The Marine SC is also looking into engaging in turtle conservation and seagrass restoration in the future, further strengthening its commitment to protecting Sri Lanka’s marine biodiversity.

Since its inception, the subcommittee has achieved remarkable milestones across research, conservation, education, and policy advocacy. The Accelerated Natural Regeneration of Mangroves (ANRM) project at Anawilundawa has restored forty-five hectares of degraded mangrove habitat, creating a living laboratory for scientific study while enhancing the resilience and well-being of local communities. The subcommittee has partnered with to conserve Nypa fruticans along the Gin Oya banks, integrating habitat restoration with local livelihood initiatives. Community training programs have empowered participants to establish sustainable, small-scale businesses linked to mangrove ecosystems, emphasising women’s economic empowerment and long-term stewardship of natural resources. The site also supports postgraduate MPhil research, fostering the development of future conservation scientists in Sri Lanka.

Education and public engagement are central to the subcommittee’s mission. The Marine Chats series, the Blue Carbon Story lecture series, and the UK–Sri Lanka Lecture Series have connected students, researchers, and the public with leading conservation experts. These programs encourage scientific literacy, foster youth engagement, and promote evidence-based understanding of marine ecosystems. The Marine Protected Area Directory, compiled and edited by Dr. Malik Fernando, provides a comprehensive resource for planners, policymakers, and researchers, supporting informed decision-making and conservation management.

Scientific research underpins all subcommittee initiatives for marine conservation. The ANRM site serves as a hub for undergraduate and postgraduate research, encompassing topics such as microplastic contamination, biomass estimation, heavy metal pollution, sustainable aquaculture, biodiversity surveys, and assessments of water and soil quality. Research publications in internationally recognised journals, including studies on the MV X-Press Pearl maritime disaster, highlight the subcommittee’s contributions to global marine science.

The subcommittee also maintains a strong legal advocacy program. Successful interventions include the suspension of the degazetting of the Viddatalthivu Nature Reserve and formal input on high-impact projects such as the Galle Port reclamation and the Mannar Wind Farm. These efforts ensure that marine ecosystems receive the same level of protection as terrestrial habitats, complementing the subcommittee’s conservation, research, and education work.

Through an integrated approach that combines scientific research, policy advocacy, community engagement, and public awareness, the WNPS Marine Subcommittee has established itself as one of Sri Lanka’s most effective marine conservation organisations. Its work reflects a commitment to protecting biodiversity and dedication to building capacity, knowledge, and resilience within communities, institutions, and the nation at large.