Category Archives: Conservation research

Sri Lankan fishermen have been documented illegally fishing for sharks within the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT). Using fisher-based surveys, this project seeks to understand why they undertake these long and often risky journeys.

Photo-identification is a simple but powerful way to assess population size, understand population demographics and understand changes at the population level amongst other things. We have maintained photo-identification databases on all key species of marine mammals dating back to 2008. Through this exercise we have even identified the oldest known blue whale in the northern Indian ocean- Whalentine!

Established in 2008, is the longest-running project on blue whales in the northern Indian Ocean and the flagship project of Oceanswell. It focuses on the conservation of this unique, non-migratory population from threats such as ship-strike while unravelling their unique traits.

Our research extends from the iconic Mount Lavinia Hotel to the colourful murals at Kinross with measurements happening fortnightly over the period of one year (June 2020-June 2021) allowing us to observe the complete cycle of variation throughout this period.

The project kickstarted in July 2020 and is an islandwide endeavour to assess the effects of COVID-19 and the resulting curfew through the eyes of small scale fishers, processors and sellers/traders.