Oceanswell

Oceanswell is Sri Lanka's first marine conservation and research education organisation[1] and was founded by marine biologist Asha de Vos.[2]

Oceanswell
Formation2017
FounderAsha de Vos
TypeNon-governmental Organization
PurposeMarine Conservation
Location
MethodsResearch, Awareness, Citizen science, Education, Youth engagement
FieldsMarine biology
Award(s)Goodwill Champion 2020 - World Economic Forum in Davos
Websiteoceanswell.org

Projects

The Blue Whale Project

Oceanswell is known for the Blue Whale Project[3] which is the first long-term study on blue whales in the Northern Indian Ocean.[4] The project focuses on the conservation of blue whales[5] from threats such as ship strikes.[6][7] De Vos founded the Blue Whale Project[8] which is the flagship project of Oceanswell.[9][10]

Conservation research

Research includes the COVID-19 and Fisheries Project,[11] natural variability of Mount Lavinia Beach,[12] effectiveness of shark fishing bans[13] and advocacy research against beach nourishments conducted without Environmental Impact Assessments.[14] Recent publications advocate against 'parachute science' which is practice of Western scientists collecting data in developing countries and leaving without training in the region.[15][16]

Education and outreach

Oceanswell conducts educational sessions for school children, skill building courses, marine conservation field courses, monthly gatherings for individuals of different fields to discuss marine conservation issues,[17] rscues stranded marine animals[18] and conducts awareness on species.[19][20][21]

Awards

Honoured as a Goodwill Champion at the 2020 World Economic Forum in Davos.[22]

References
  1. "From Ocean Blues to Oceanswell | Daily FT". www.ft.lk. Retrieved 2021-01-11.
  2. Degnarain, Nishan. "Singing Whale Unmasks New Giant Blue Whale Species Hidden In Indian Ocean". Forbes. Retrieved 2021-01-13.
  3. "Scientists at Work: The Wonder of Blue Whales". pew.org. Retrieved 2021-01-13.
  4. Wight, Andrew. "What's It Like To Be Sri Lanka's First Whale Biologist?". Forbes. Retrieved 2021-01-11.
  5. "CJS and Dr. Asha de Vos along with Oceanswell unveil their 'Love for the Blue Whale' | Colombo Gazette". 2019-09-07. Retrieved 2021-01-13.
  6. Dutta, Rayman (2018-09-20). "MashTalk: Asha De Vos, a marine biologist speaks her heart out about The Blue Whale project". Mashable India. Retrieved 2021-01-12.
  7. "Oil tanker fire in Sri Lanka's rich waters highlights need for preparedness". Mongabay Environmental News. 2020-10-01. Retrieved 2021-01-13.
  8. Gourlay, Graeme (17 January 2020). "The Whales of Sri Lanka". Dive Magazine. Retrieved 2021-01-13.
  9. "Scientists at Work: The Wonder of Blue Whales". pew.org. Retrieved 2021-01-11.
  10. "Coastal heroism: In conservation with Dr Asha de Vos on ocean heroes and blue whales". Oceanographic. Retrieved 2021-01-11.
  11. "Gaining insights into the effects of COVID- 19 on coastal fisheries in Sri Lanka". Center For Ocean Life. Retrieved 2021-01-11.
  12. "Mount Lavinia beach project a futile exercise, researchers say". Sri Lanka News - Newsfirst. 2020-06-04. Retrieved 2021-01-11.
  13. "Shark fishing bans partially effective: study". phys.org. Retrieved 2021-01-13.
  14. "Mount Lavinia beach project a futile exercise, researchers say". Sri Lanka News - Newsfirst. 2020-06-04. Retrieved 2021-01-12.
  15. de Vos, Asha. "The Problem of 'Colonial Science'". Scientific American. Retrieved 2021-01-12.
  16. "The Traces of Colonialism in Science". Observatory of Educational Innovation. 20 July 2020. Retrieved 2021-01-13.
  17. "Top 10 Ocean Conservation Organizations You Should Know". Global Peace Careers. 2020-10-29. Retrieved 2021-01-11.
  18. Rodrigo, Malaka (2020-11-06). "After 100+ Pilot Whales Get Stranded on Beach, Sri Lankans Mount Epic Rescue". The Wire Science. Retrieved 2021-01-13.
  19. "Sri Lankans save pilot whales in epic rescue after mass stranding". Mongabay Environmental News. 2020-11-05. Retrieved 2021-01-11.
  20. "Coastal heroism: In conservation with Dr Asha de Vos on ocean heroes and blue whales". Oceanographic. Retrieved 2021-01-13.
  21. "Olive ridley turtles on Lankan shores". www.themorning.lk. 19 January 2021. Retrieved 2021-01-28.
  22. "HCL Technologies Honors Global Goodwill Champions at the 2020 World Economic Forum in Davos". State of Affairs. 2020-01-24. Retrieved 2021-01-12.
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