Blue Resources Trust in Sri Lanka

March 2020

Sri Lanka is home to one of the largest mobula fisheries in the world which makes the work our affiliate project at Blue Resources Trust does all the more important.

When people think of being a manta researcher, they often picture tropical islands, scuba diving, and beautiful coral reefs. For some of us, we are incredibly lucky that that DOES make up part of our job! However, there are also teams of researchers in far less glamorous conditions, working out of sight of tourists in rural fishing communities. These researchers are on the ‘front-lines’ of conservation efforts and see first hand the pressures vulnerable species like manta rays are under.

I personally have spend a bit of time working in such fish markets, and believe me it’s not fun work! Waking up at 4am to get to the markets before the first boats arrive in and then spend hours a day watching dead sharks and rays being unloaded from boats. The stench from the ammonia that is released by decomposing elasmobranchs in pungent and clings to your clothes. Yet the data that is collected by these projects is so vital to understanding the magnitude of the threats sharks and rays face.

Blue Resources Trust was co-founded by Daniel Fernando who is also a associate director of the Manta Trust. His trust aims to promote informed science based decision making to facilitate the sustainable use of marine resources. They believe in promoting education and awareness and encouraging greater participation of local communities in conservation. Their team has extensive experience working in Sri Lanka and internationally, and has built partnerships with numerous national and international organisations. Blue Resources Trust also acts as a platform for scientists and conservationists to expand research and improve marine resource management in Sri Lanka and the greater region.