Blue Resources Trust

Blue Resources Trust (BRT) is a non-profit organisation based in Sri Lanka, dedicated to science-based decision-making for the conservation and sustainable use of marine resources. We provide a platform for scientists to expand research in the Indian Ocean, run education and awareness projects, and involve local communities in marine resource management. Our focal areas are seagrass, coral reefs and fisheries, together with marine policy development at national and international levels.

CORE PROGRAMMES

Seagrass and Climate Change Research Programme
We study seagrass meadows, blue carbon, water quality and food security. Our work includes seagrass mapping and ground-truthing using drone and satellite imagery, blue carbon stock assessments, river plume monitoring with the RBR Maestro system, and a pilot national seagrass database. We collaborate with the Allen Coral Atlas and support marine spatial planning and science-policy engagement.

Coral Reef Research Programme
We carry out long-term coral reef monitoring in the Kayankerni Marine Sanctuary in eastern Sri Lanka, and our data has contributed to the GCRMN Global Status Report. We partner with the Global FinPrint Project and the Allen Coral Atlas. With European Union funding, we support the Department of Wildlife Conservation to develop the sanctuary's management plan and community-based fisheries management.

Fisheries and Policy Programme
Through the Sri Lanka Elasmobranch Project, we are improving knowledge of shark and ray fisheries, trade and value chains. Our checklist and data from over 25,000 specimens have revealed about 10 species new to Sri Lanka and 4 that appear new to science. This work informs National Plans of Action for Sharks, CITES non-detriment findings, and technical input to the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission, CITES and CMS.

OTHER INITIATIVES

Marine Pollution: port waste reception reviews for the Commonwealth Litter Programme, beach litter surveys and community clean-ups.
Marine Protected Areas: technical support and coordination towards covering more than 10% of Sri Lanka's EEZ with MPAs by 2030.
Education and Capacity Building: student internships, field research training, public lectures, and support for Department of Wildlife Conservation officers.

SELECTED ACHIEVEMENTS

• Helped secure the declaration of World Seagrass Day

• Representation on the national Blue Carbon Ecosystem Task Force

• Supported the declaration of the Kayankerni Marine Sanctuary

• Contributed to Sri Lanka's Sixth National Report to the CBD and the 2020 National Red List evaluation of seagrass

• Delivered seagrass mapping and UAV training for Sri Lankan stakeholders

RECENT PROJECTS

• Seagrass ground-truthing for national coastal habitat mapping (2024-2025)

• Plume mapping by remote sensing, Kayankerni Marine Sanctuary (2024 onwards)

• Blue carbon assessment, Vedathtaltivu Nature Reserve (2021-2024)

• Soil carbon assessment of restored mangroves, saltmarshes and seagrass, with CSIRO (2021-2023)

PARTNERS AND DONORS

Supported by Cefas, CSIRO, IUCN, Idea Wild, Lanka Environment Fund, Allen Coral Atlas, Blue Marine Foundation, the European Union, Vulcan Inc., Tokyo Cement Group, Oceans 5 and others. We collaborate with the IUCN SSC Seagrass Specialist Group, World Seagrass Association, Indo-Pacific Seagrass Network, Seagrass Restoration Network and Sri Lankan universities.