Welcome to our eighth episode! This time, we explore the work behind protecting Sri Lanka’s marine ecosystems, both through research and management on the ground.

We sit down with Nishan Perera, marine biologist and co-founder of Blue Resources Trust, to discuss the realities of marine protected area (MPA) management and the role long-term research plays in supporting conservation efforts. Nishan shares insights from a decade of reef monitoring in Kayankerni, reflecting on how continuous fieldwork shapes our understanding of ecosystem changes, conservation planning, and the practical side of marine protection.

Through this conversation, we get a closer look at what marine conservation looks like beyond policy—rooted in day-to-day realities, persistence, and adapting to challenges as they arise.