The Pearl Protectors

From ratification to action: SL and the High Seas Treaty

The Pearl Protectors — Mon, 09 Feb 2026 10:05:08 +0000

By: Sara Sadoon

On 16 September last year (2025), Sri Lanka made its commitment to ocean conservation official by ratifying the United Nations High Seas Treaty, formally known as the BBNJ Agreement (Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction).

In doing so, it joins a growing group of nations working to safeguard marine biodiversity in the vast reaches of the ocean that lie beyond any single country’s jurisdiction. It’s a significant move, especially for an island nation whose identity and economy are so deeply tied to the sea.

That commitment gained added weight when the treaty entered into force on 17 January this year. As the first legally binding agreement dedicated to the high seas, it establishes a long-overdue framework for managing international waters, which cover nearly half the planet and have long lacked effective oversight. The treaty addresses marine genetic resources, marine protected areas, and environmental impact assessments, while supporting developing countries through capacity building and technology transfer.

With implementation now underway, States are laying the groundwork through the UN’s BBNJ Preparatory Commission (PrepCom). Two sessions have already taken place, with a third scheduled for March, ahead of the first Conference of the Parties (COP1) within a year, where procedures, permanent bodies, and early priorities will be set.

For Sri Lanka, ratification is only the beginning. Recent reports in Groundviews indicate that despite being a maritime nation, the country currently protects less than 1% of its territorial waters and Exclusive Economic Zone through marine protected areas, a figure that is difficult to reconcile with the ecological richness and economic value of its ocean spaces.

Additionally, marine protection has historically received limited attention in national planning and policy discussions. Meanwhile, the country is still reeling from nurdle disasters, and plastic and polythene pollution continue flowing unchecked into coastal ecosystems. Yet, at a time when global interest and funding in conservation are peaking, Sri Lanka has a rare chance to break from the status quo and chart a new course for its marine future.

In saying this, the path forward isn’t complicated, but it does require intent. Other nations, such as Samoa and the Philippines, have shown how early momentum can be built by hosting national workshops. These gatherings help familiarise agencies with the treaty’s obligations, clarify institutional roles, and identify legal and policy gaps. They also bring together scientists, civil society, policymakers, and private sector players, all of whom have a role in turning the treaty into practice.

Domestically, Sri Lanka must begin reviewing and strengthening its legal frameworks to align with the treaty, particularly on environmental assessments and access to marine genetic resources. Regionally, as an Indian Ocean maritime nation, it can also use its diplomatic voice to encourage continued ratification and cooperation, while the treaty’s institutions are being shaped.

The High Seas Treaty is a rare second chance. With the agreement now in force and its institutions taking shape, Sri Lanka has an opportunity not only to make up for lost time, but to lead. The question is no longer whether action is needed, but whether it will come quickly and boldly enough.

Feature Image Credits: earthshotprize.org

The Vanishing Shorelines of Sri Lanka

The Pearl Protectors — Sun, 25 Jan 2026 18:30:00 +0000

By: Shenali Narasinghe

Sri Lanka is a small island nation, shaped like a teardrop lying gracefully in the Indian Ocean, with a coastline stretching about 1,585 km where emerald land meets bluish sea. This beautiful boundary between land and water is not just a map line; it defines where families have lived for generations, where fishermen set out before sunrise, and where children play under the warmth of the tropical sun. But with each passing year, this boundary feels as if it is quietly shrinking, like a beloved painting slowly fading with time, and for a country like ours, rich in culture, biodiversity, and natural beauty, this loss feels deeply personal.

Coastal erosion in Sri Lanka is a complex phenomenon driven by both natural forces and human activities, creating a challenge that affects not just the environment but people’s lives and livelihoods. Naturally, the island is troubled by two major monsoon systems each year, and powerful waves and ocean currents reshape the shoreline, sometimes carrying sand and soil deeper into the sea. Over time, these forces can wear away beaches that once seemed permanent, making people feel as though the sea is reclaiming the land piece by piece.

The western and southern coasts, which are densely populated and important for tourism, have been particularly affected. In these areas, the loss of beaches has not only reduced natural beauty but also threatened livelihoods that depend on fishing and tourism. For families who have lived close to the sea for generations, watching the ocean move closer each year can be unsettling, as it challenges their sense of stability and belonging.

Human influences have worsened this natural process in many coastal zones. Activities like sand mining, poorly planned construction of walls and harbours, removal of coastal vegetation, and coral extraction have weakened the natural defenses of the shoreline, making it easier for the sea to encroach inland. In some cities, you can already see where roads, rail lines, and even homes have been undermined, reminding us that coastal erosion is not just about landscapes, but about homes and futures being shifted by relentless tides.

In addition to natural forces and human activities, climate change has intensified the severity of coastal erosion in Sri Lanka. Rising sea levels, higher storm surges, and unpredictable weather patterns make the shoreline more vulnerable to damage. For example, in the eastern coastal town of Trincomalee, heavy seasonal waves combined with rising sea levels have led to the gradual loss of sand from beaches, affecting local fishing communities who rely on safe landing spots for their boats. Similarly, in the south, areas like Galle and Matara have experienced repeated erosion events that have washed away parts of roads and small fishing harbors, forcing families to relocate.

Extreme weather events, such as Cyclone Ditwah, have further exposed the fragility of Sri Lanka’s coasts. The cyclone brought unusually strong winds and waves that battered the northeastern coastline, causing immediate erosion of sandy beaches and damaging infrastructure near the shore. These events highlight how sudden, severe storms can accelerate processes that would otherwise take years, leaving communities struggling to recover and rebuild.

Another contributing factor is the loss of natural coastal barriers. Coral reefs, seagrass beds, and mangroves once acted as protective buffers against waves and storms. Over the years, many of these have been degraded through unsustainable fishing practices, tourism development, and removal of vegetation for construction. The depletion of these natural defenses has left coastal villages more exposed to the relentless push of the sea. For instance, in the Jaffna Peninsula, communities have noticed that without dense mangrove cover, high tides now reach further inland than they did decades ago, slowly altering the landscape and local ecosystems.

Coastal erosion also intersects with social and economic vulnerabilities. In areas like Negombo, where tourism is a major source of income, the disappearance of beaches not only affects livelihoods but also threatens cultural landmarks and local festivals that revolve around the coast. Children who once played safely along wide sandy shores now face shrinking beaches, while older generations witness the erosion of familiar landscapes, creating a sense of loss that goes beyond the physical.

Yet, despite these challenges, there is a resilient spirit among communities and scientists alike who strive to balance development with conservation. Communities have started responding with innovative approaches to protect their coastlines. Mangrove restoration projects in Negombo and Batticaloa have shown promise in reducing the impact of waves and stabilising sand, while community-led monitoring programs help track erosion rates and warn residents of urgent threats. These initiatives underscore the importance of blending scientific understanding with local knowledge to face the ongoing challenge of a shifting shoreline.

In the end, the story of coastal erosion in Sri Lanka is not just about land lost to the sea; it is also about connections to home, the deep respect we hold for our shores, and the shared responsibility to care for them, so that future generations can walk barefoot on the same beaches where we once did.

The new year our oceans need – Our priorities for 2026

The Pearl Protectors — Sun, 11 Jan 2026 18:30:00 +0000

By: Moira Alfred

The vast seas that border the island nation of Sri Lanka are under expanding pressure. These bodies of water are extremely precious to the nation’s food security, economy, and biodiversity, and they are coming under threat in immeasurable ways. It is a fact, recorded and evident, and therefore easily observable, that if the current trend continues, the alarming degradation of the seas in and around Sri Lanka will continue.

One of the most pressing environmental issues in Sri Lanka is plastic pollution. Its coastlines, including fishing grounds and marine biodiversity sites such as Bar Reef and Pigeon Island, are regularly filled with plastic litter that comes from both land and sea-based activities. Single-use plastics and microplastics have been known to contaminate the country’s sea waters and beach sands, damaging marine life that ingests the material or gets entrapped in it.

As if this were not enough, microplastics have been known to contaminate species of fish consumed by communities in the country, threatening the safety of the food chain and the health implications associated with the consumption of this plastic material. Inefficient waste management and the absence of any sophisticated means to recycle, or the practices associated with domestic consumption, contribute to this problem. When plastic waste piles up in higher quantities, the quality of the beaches in Sri Lanka gets impacted with negative repercussions on the tourism industry as well as the basic ecosystem of the marine environment.

Historical pollution disasters are also threatening marine ecosystems. The 2021 sinking of the container ship MV X-Press Pearl off Colombo released millions of plastic pellets and chemicals into the sea, one of the worst marine pollution incidents in the nation’s history. The Supreme Court of Sri Lanka, in one such case where compensation was sought for wide-ranging ecological damage, underlined just how grave and long-lasting such disasters can be. This disaster led to delayed fishing bans that disrupted coastal economies and caused widespread harm to sea turtles, dolphins, and fish populations.

Overfishing and harmful fishing practices further stress marine ecosystems. Unregulated and illegal fishing gear has reduced fish stocks and destroyed important habitat structures such as coral reefs and seagrass beds. Combined with pollution, these pressures have contributed to dramatic declines in fish populations that many coastal communities depend on for their protein and income. Climate change adds to these problems. A warming ocean and resultant coral bleaching damage reefs, which provide vital nurseries for fish. If reefs are not actively protected, they will continue to decline in strength, and this will negatively impact biodiversity and any future shocks to the environment.

Nevertheless, there are some viable methods for improving these conditions. Improvements in waste infrastructure and recycling will go a long way in limiting plastic waste that eventually ends up in the ocean. Citizen awareness programs that promote a change in consumption patterns away from plastic will help facilitate these changes. Implementation of existing legislation and formulation of new legislation that penalize offenders will help, as already witnessed in a lawsuit filed by Sri Lanka. Conservation efforts for habitats such as coral reefs and mangrove forests will help promote an improvement in biological diversity and will help enhance fish stocks. Citizen-initiated projects such as cleaning events and responsible fishing methods have already demonstrated positive results and can be expanded with the help of governments.

A new year presents a prospect to align science, policy, and public engagement toward regenerating Sri Lanka’s marine environment. Prevention is more effective than remediation. Provided with clear policies and community action, pollution, overfishing, and habitat loss can be dealt with today, and save the Sri Lankan oceans for generations to come.

Image Credits: The Pearl Protectors

A Season of Giving, Not Polluting: Rethinking Christmas in Sri Lanka

The Pearl Protectors — Sun, 28 Dec 2025 18:30:00 +0000

By: Madhushi Gana

As a girl who loves nature, I’ve always found joy in observing even the tiniest wonders around me – a ripple in a stream, a bird’s call, or the quiet beauty of a misty morning. But my recent visit to Kandy, a place where nature and culture meet so gracefully, now leaves a silent ache in me. Plastic bottles and tangled nets now cling to walls and waterways. It makes me wonder: ‘Is this the price our environment pays for our convenience? As Christmas approaches, the streets sparkle with lights and festive cheer, yet behind this joyful celebration, a concern grows: a rising tide of waste, as highlighted by the Ditwah report.

Festive celebrations bring joy and, if left unchecked, a subtle surge of waste. I notice rivers near festive markets lined with single-use items. Though families may celebrate joyfully, much of this waste eventually reaches our oceans, where it can harm marine life. As human beings, if we pause and imagine the ocean from the perspective of all of its voiceless marine animals, it becomes clear how much their lives and the health of their habitat rely on our actions.

These creatures, turtles gliding gracefully, fish darting through coral reefs, are perfectly adapted to their environment. While in their own habitat, they are also trapped within nets; they consume plastics for food, and the chemicals in our waters disrupt the delicate balance of the coral reefs. They know nothing of human waste, and yet their innocence leaves them especially vulnerable to the decisions we make on land.

It is quite evidentially true that when human-made waste reaches the ocean, it doesn’t just sit there; it drastically alters the ocean’s precious ecosystem. This further disrupts the chain reaction of unkind acts of pollution from plastic debris, chemical runoff, oil spills, and microplastics that seep deep into the oceans. This strongly aligns with the recent Ditwah report, which indicates that there is an increasing amount of seasonal waste that is now spreading faster than ever. The ocean crisis hits harder than we realize, and it is not just marine life that suffers, but also the people who depend on the sea, especially coastal communities in Sri Lanka. They increasingly face dwindling fish stocks, damaged coral reefs, and polluted beaches that threaten their livelihoods. ’Protecting the Oceans is no longer optional, it is a responsibility we cannot ignore’.

While the ocean bears the brunt of our festive waste, the good news is that each of us can make a difference where the festive season offers us an opportunity. So this Christmas, we can turn the tide by rethinking our celebrations and making choices that also protect our oceans and environment. Sharing drinks and snacks with your friends during Christmas is part of the festive fun, but if using reusable bottles and cups for your parties is an included factor, that helps make it eco-friendly too. Every small swap helps keep plastic out of our rivers and oceans, protecting our marine life. Not only this, but also if decorating your house is a joyful tradition, if it’s possible to start using recycled or natural materials, this will make it both creative and sustainable. Paper ornaments, dried leaves, coconut shells, or cinnamon sticks add charm without harming the environment. ’The best gifts are not the things but memories’, choosing reusable or second-hand gifts allows us to celebrate meaningfully without adding festive waste, helping lead to better sustainability measures.

True change begins when an individual’s choice turns into collective action. Whether it is choosing reusable items, reducing festive waste, or joining a simple common cleanup, every effort counts. The oceans may not have a voice, but through mindful celebrations and shared response, we can speak for them. So this festive season, let our joy extend beyond celebrations and become a lasting gift for our oceans and for generations to come.

Image Credits: The Pearl Protectors

How tiny organisms could save our seas from climate change

The Pearl Protectors — Mon, 15 Dec 2025 06:35:15 +0000

By: Thusitha Bulathgama

The hidden role of microbial oceans

We all know that millions of invisible organisms – bacteria, viruses, archaea, protists, and fungi – live on this planet. In our oceans, these tiny beings dominate life so much that about 90% of the ocean’s total living biomass comes from microbes.

Just beneath the ocean’s surface lies a hidden world filled with phytoplankton, bacteria and microscopic algae. These tiny organisms sustain marine life, feeding everything from small fish to giant whales, forming the very base of the marine food web. Their importance, however, extends far beyond the sea. Phytoplankton alone produce nearly half of the Earth’s oxygen through photosynthesis. That is more than all of the world’s forests combined. Though invisible to the naked eye, these microbes are the real powerhouses that fuel life in the oceans and beyond.

Their significance lies not in their size but in their massive impact. Microbes act as the driving forces of ecosystems, helping organisms access nutrients and food they otherwise would not. They also maintain healthy marine environments by breaking down waste, recycling nutrients and even preventing diseases.

In short, these microscopic beings are essential for a flourishing ocean ecosystem – without them, our world would function very differently. A microbe is incredibly small and does not belong to one single group, yet collectively, they hold up entire ecosystems. They also combat climate change by absorbing carbon dioxide, producing oxygen, recycling nutrients, regulating temperature and supporting resilient marine life, keeping our planet in balance.

Marine microbes also influence the Earth’s climate in remarkable ways. Many produce and process a compound called dimethylsulfoniopropionate (DMSP). This compound releases dimethyl sulfide (DMS), a gas that helps form clouds and affects rainfall patterns and the planet’s reflectivity. These processes shape the global sulfur and carbon cycles, both critical for climate regulation. By aiding cloud formation and storing carbon in deep ocean layers, these tiny organisms help stabilise global temperatures and slow the impacts of climate change.

However, these microbial communities face increasing threats.

Rising ocean temperatures can alter diversity in unforeseen ways. Pollution, including excess nitrogen from agricultural runoff, disrupts microbial balance. Furthermore, industrial activities and plastic pollution can introduce harmful bacteria to coral reefs, increasing the likelihood of coral diseases by 4% to 89%. On the other hand, oil pollution poses critical harm to microbial communities. The disposal of oil in the ocean and on land is mostly dependent on naturally occurring oil-degrading bacteria. These bacteria have enough food in large amounts of oil, which causes their numbers to increase and may have an impact on other microbes.

Since ocean microbes form the foundation of marine life and regulate the planet’s climate, protecting them is crucial. If warming waters, pollution and acidification continue to damage microbial communities, the ocean’s ability to absorb carbon, produce oxygen and support ecosystems will decline. Safeguarding them means maintaining the ocean’s natural balance and ensuring that the earth’s life support system remains strong for future generations.

Feature Image Credits: aims.gov au

Battling Plastic Pellets: Behind the Scenes of a Nurdle Cleanup

The Pearl Protectors — Thu, 27 Nov 2025 10:48:11 +0000

By: Rojie Ekanayake

As Sri Lanka’s coasts once again face the threat of plastic pellets known as nurdles, groups like Nurdle Free Lanka have stepped up to tackle this issue by hosting volunteer-run cleanups. But what exactly is a nurdle clean up, and are they enough to protect our environment? This article answers some Frequently Asked Questions about the efforts of the Nurdle Free Lanka campaign.

Q. What is a nurdle cleanup, and is it different from a beach cleanup?

A: Cleanups targeting nurdles focus on a specific type of microplastic and require specialised tools. Unlike other garbage, these pellets are not the result of improper waste disposal. They are from unexpected incidents like shipping disasters. Handling them requires additional safety measures because they may be contaminated with harmful substances. Also, nurdles collected must be carefully documented since they are a vital source of information for authorities.

Q: Where have these nurdles come from?

A: In late May this year, a ship named MSC Elsa 3 sank off the coast of Kerala. Since then, there have been increasing amounts of nurdles washing up on the coasts of Sri Lanka. But nurdles from the MV X-Press Pearl incident in 2021 are also still found on beaches, making it difficult to identify the exact source.

Q: How many nurdles have been collected, and by when can we collect them all?

A: Collecting every nurdle is an impossible task. While exact figures are not available, one estimate suggests that there were around 1,620 metric tons of nurdles on the ship that sank in May. That’s more than an Olympic-sized swimming pool full of plastic pellets! Since the recent incident, volunteers from Nurdle Free Lanka have collected around 173kg of nurdles. Despite this being a small fraction, a consistent cleanup effort across both Sri Lanka and India helps in minimizing damage. Cleanups are also useful in collecting data to understand the impacts of nurdles and hold those responsible accountable.

Q: Why are there lots of nurdles on the beach on some days and hardly any on others?

A: It’s difficult to predict how nurdles disperse when they are carried away by ocean waves. Waves are, in turn, affected by factors like weather patterns, ocean currents, and lunar phases. For instance, more nurdles can be found on beaches following a full moon day. As time passes, these pellets become harder to spot since they disintegrate and discolour.

Q. ⁠What happens to the nurdles collected?

A: Nurdles collected from spills are difficult to use safely since they may be contaminated. Nurdle Free Lanka generally hands over pellets collected by volunteers to the Marine Environment Protection Authority to be disposed of.

If you are interested in contributing to these efforts by participating in a cleanup, sign up for updates via this website: https://pearlprotectors.org/volunteer/

Image Credits: The Pearl Protectors

When Oceans Explode: The heavy impact of dynamite fishing on marine ecosystems

The Pearl Protectors — Mon, 17 Nov 2025 09:17:46 +0000

By: Dilshani Maralanda

Do you know that a single underwater explosion can destroy what nature took centuries to build?

Dynamite fishing is an illegal fishing practice used by fishermen to catch a large yield at once. They use dynamite to make explosions underwater. The immediate shockwaves generated by the explosions kill not only the targeted species but also all other organisms living around the explosion.

So even if it provides fishermen a considerable amount of harvest, it leaves behind a silent underwater wasteland. Over time, it will result in reducing fish stocks, reducing tourism potential, and overall threatening the livelihoods of coastal communities.

Dynamite fishing has been reported in many regions all over the world, including East Africa, parts of South Asia, the Indian Ocean, and also in Sri Lanka, where it continues to threaten marine biodiversity and coastal livelihoods. This article discusses the impacts of dynamite fishing on marine ecosystems and examines its causes, ecological and socioeconomical consequences, legal challenges, and the urgent need for conservation measures. Understanding the depth of its damage is crucial if we want to protect marine life and to safeguard the future of the coastal communities that depend on the ocean.

What is Dynamite Fishing?

Dynamite fishing is an illegal fishing practice that uses explosives to kill or stun fish. A dynamite includes a dynamite paste, a cap, and a cord. The cord is used to light the explosive. Mostly, the explosives are obtained easily from the mining and building industries. When a stick of dynamite blasts underwater, it makes a powerful shockwave. The shockwave kills the nearby fish and causes them to float to the surface. Then the fisherman easily collects the fish from the surface.

Fishermen often tend to use this illegal practice because it gives a quick and high volume of catch with a minimum effort. Poverty, lack of awareness, and weak law enforcement are the key driving factors of this illegal fishing practice. This is a prohibited practice under national fisheries laws and other international laws. However, people in remote coastal areas still utilise this illegal practice due to limited monitoring and poor enforcement, causing severe threats to marine ecosystems and sustainable fisheries.

The Environmental Impact

Dynamite fishing causes huge damage to marine ecosystems. The powerful explosions break down the coral reefs into fragments. And they may take decades to recover. Reef structures provide habitats and breeding grounds for many organisms. As reef structure collapses, countless marine species lose their habitats and breeding grounds.

The explosions kill not only the targeted species. It blindly kills all the other organisms within the area, including small fish, larvae, corals, crustaceans, and plankton etc. So, it disrupts the entire marine food web, upsetting the predator-prey relationships. Finally, it affects the balance of the entire ecosystem. The resulting sedimentation and debris from the continuous blasting deposits on marine plants and benthic organisms, leading to long-term habitat degradation.

The Socioeconomic Impact

Dynamite fishing gives short-term financial benefits, but in time it will lead to long-term depletion of fish stocks, which will threaten the future of coastal communities. The destruction of coral reefs and other marine ecosystems reduces the scenic beauty and the attraction of tourists, directly reducing income from tourism activities such as diving, snorkeling, whale watching, and other recreational activities. Overexploitation will also lead to depletion of resources, resulting in unemployment and conflicts among coastal communities.

Legal and Enforcement Challenges

There are various environmental regulation acts, including the Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Act, which prohibits dynamite fishing. However, even though these rules and regulations exist, their enforcement remains weak. Several factors hinder effective law enforcement, including political interference, corruption, limited resources, and a lack of awareness among coastal communities. In addition, monitoring large and remote coastal areas throughout the day with limited technology and manpower is a difficult task, allowing illegal fishing practices to continue undetected.

Conservation and Mitigation Strategies

Stronger law enforcement is key, especially since monitoring vast coastal areas is challenging. More frequent patrols, supported by modern tools like drones, radar, and satellite tracking, can help detect illegal activities more effectively. At the same time, building a sense of responsibility among fishers is equally important. Educating them about the long-term damage dynamite fishing causes to both marine life and their own livelihoods can encourage a shift toward sustainable methods.

Since poverty often drives people to these harmful practices, offering alternative livelihoods such as aquaculture or eco-tourism can reduce dependence on destructive fishing. Finally, restoring damaged ecosystems through coral reef rehabilitation, artificial reef building, and creating Marine Protected Areas is crucial. Involving local communities in these efforts not only boosts success but also strengthens their connection and commitment to protecting the ocean.

Tying it all together

Dynamite fishing causes significant impacts on the environment and society. It destroys coral reefs, reduces fish populations, disturbs marine food webs, and takes away the fishing communities from sustainable fishing practices. A collective effort is needed to address this issue. Effective law enforcement by the Government is a must. The collaboration between the Government, NGOs, and international organisations is important. And also, local communities have a huge responsibility to adopt sustainable fishing practices. With coordinated efforts, education, and restoration initiatives, it is possible to restore marine ecosystems and safeguard the oceans for future generations.

Cover Feature Image Credit: WCS Indonesia

To silence an ocean’s symphony: Behind the alarming soundscape of the Anthropocene Ocean

The Pearl Protectors — Mon, 03 Nov 2025 10:16:38 +0000

By: Alina Marzook

From the pattering of rain to the scuttling of crabs over a coral reef, sound travels fast and far underwater, acting as an important sensory cue for marine mammals and invertebrates. These animals are reliant on the ocean soundscape for key life functions like foraging, navigation, and courtship.

A healthy ocean soundscape is characterized by ‘natural’ sounds or geophony, like acoustics from wind and other geological sources, and biophony, or intentionally and unintentionally produced sounds from biological sources.

However, since the Industrial Revolution, our seas have witnessed the amplification of a third component: anthrophony, or human sounds…accompanied by fading biophony.

In short, we are losing both marine life and the intricate songs that come with it.

Drowning in the wrong sound

Most anthropogenic sounds are produced unintentionally, the most potent being shipping noise. In open waters, these low-frequency sounds travel long distances and therefore can even affect life situated away from heavily trafficked shipping lanes.

Other unintentional sound sources include coastal development and resource extraction, while sensing techniques like seismic surveys act as intentionally transmitted ‘human’ sounds that are disruptive to marine animals.

These noises overlap with and mask biophony and geophony, disrupting the activities of marine fauna. A systematic survey found that 91.2% of studies report induced physiological changes of marine life from noise pollution, while 83.9% report triggered displacement and evasive actions of animals.

The final straw

Increasing anthrophony is not the only player contributing to this silencing.

Hunting of key marine vocalizers, like whales, and overfishing are degrading the ocean biophony. Climate change is altering ocean soundscapes: ocean warming changes underwater acoustics and sound transmission; ice loss shifts species distribution and boosts human sounds; ocean acidification reduces sound absorption, which, together with increasing storms, makes the sea noisier.

Climate change also exacerbates habitat loss, where degradation of kelp forests, seagrass beds, and coral reefs is silencing the animals dependent on them.

The call of an ocean

Continuing on this trajectory may very well annihilate life underwater as we know it.

However, responsible stewardship of the ocean that prioritizes sustainable development can still help nurture a healthier ocean soundscape.

This translates into regulatory frameworks that control sound transmissions and incentivize transition to more mindful maritime technologies, or practices, such as reducing vessel speed and creating marine protected areas (MPAs). Furthermore, strictly adhering to internationally signed agreements to mitigate climate change will slow down further impact on the ocean soundscape.

Spreading awareness, encouraging evidence-based research, and pressuring national and international entities to adopt better regulatory policies can bring marine species back from the brink of silence.

The ocean has always had a voice. It falls to us to amplify this fading symphony before it is lost to the Anthropocene.

Cover Feature Whale Photo by Oliver Tsappis on Unsplash

From Pellet to Pollutant: The Journey of a Nurdle

The Pearl Protectors — Thu, 30 Oct 2025 07:54:44 +0000

By: Alina Marzook

On May 24th, 2025, the container ship MSC ELSA 3 capsized off Kerala’s coast. Of the 643 containers onboard, 60 carried plastic nurdles, which have since contributed to an unfolding ecological and socioeconomic nightmare. Nurdles continue to wash up along India’s and Sri Lanka’s coastlines. The Gulf of Mannar, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, has been contaminated. The safety of marine biodiversity is being questioned. Fishing communities have been affected. And the MSC ELSA 3 has refused to take responsibility, sporting corporate negligence at its best.

But what exactly were plastic pellets doing on a container ship?

Nurdles are small, petrochemical-derived plastic granules, approximately the size of a lentil, used in plastic molding and extrusion processes to form various products, ranging from water bottles to bags and toys. These microplastics are synthetic, meaning they are derived from fossil fuels like crude oil, coal, and natural gas.

First, raw material like crude oil is extracted by large-scale mining and drilling. The crude oil is then refined into fractions through heating and distillation. These fractions are further processed into monomers (single molecular units) through application of high temperature or pressure (cracking). Through this, the hydrocarbons ethane and propane are broken down into smaller propylene and ethylene monomers. These monomers undergo ‘polymerization’ where they are combined to form large plastic molecules, or polymers. Polyethylene, polystyrene, and polyvinyl chloride are all a result of the polymerization of plastic monomers.

To get the right plastic properties, these plastic monomers are further processed and blended with other chemicals (they are simply melted together and mixed in). Finally, the plastic is converted into pellets, or nurdles, that can be conveniently transported, stored, and later molded into their desired product.

Which brings us back to the disaster under discussion.

Nurdles aren’t just convenient for the plastic manufacturing process. They are also small, lightweight, and floatable. This makes them very easy to lose. In fact, nurdles are the second largest source of primary microplastic pollution in the world. Whether at the factory or in transit, on land or at sea, nurdle spills are a serious and frequent environmental hazard.

Once nurdles are released into the environment, they are extremely difficult to remove. These also absorb other pollutants, are mistaken as food by fish, and degrade into smaller microplastics, destroying both marine ecosystems and the communities dependent on them.

The MSC ELSA 3 disaster was not the first of its kind. Unless corporate accountability, proactive governance, and fair compensation for the environment and people are implemented, it will not be the last.

How Underwater Gardens Could Shape the Future of Sustainable Farming?

The Pearl Protectors — Fri, 17 Oct 2025 08:04:46 +0000

By: Thusitha Bulathgama

Do you ever imagine farms of the future located beneath the ocean rather than on land?

Underwater gardens are becoming a new frontier explored by scientists and innovators as global food systems face the threats of climate change, land scarcity, and water constraints. These underwater farms cultivate plants such as seaweed, lettuce, and basil without the need for soil or pesticides, taking advantage of the ocean’s stable conditions. By blending sustainability and technology, underwater gardens are transforming the way we think about farming in a warming world.

Each underwater dome contains seedbeds and a spiral tube system that pumps water and fertilizer from a lower tank to the plants. The system controls humidity, ventilation, and irrigation through a solar-powered tower above the surface. These biospheres conserve water through natural evaporation and condensation, do not require pesticides, and rely on an external water source only during the initial growth stage of the plants. A great example is Nemo’s Garden, built in 2012 by the Ocean Reef Group, off the coast of Noli, Italy. It features six air-filled plastic pods anchored 4.5 to 11 meters underwater. Equipped with sensors to monitor environmental conditions, these biospheres use hydroponic techniques to grow crops like tomatoes, lettuce, beans, and even orchids without soil-relying instead on nutrient-rich water solutions in a controlled environment.

Underwater farming offers numerous benefits for both people and the planet. It reduces pressure on land-based agriculture, helping to preserve forests and biodiversity, while promoting food security and creating new economic opportunities for coastal communities. Since no pesticides are needed, it also lessens environmental pollution and ensures safer, healthier food production. Moreover, it demonstrates the potential of sustainable, technology-driven farming methods that could redefine how we cultivate food in the future.

As part of its blue economy, Sri Lanka is starting to explore marine and water farming. Seaweed cultivation in Jaffna and along the Southwest coast supports local food production and provides sustainable livelihoods. Projects like Colombo Port City’s artificial reefs and coral nurseries highlight how the nation is combining innovation and conservation. Expanding such underwater farming methods could enhance food security, generate employment opportunities in coastal areas, and foster eco-friendly agricultural practices.

Despite the promising opportunities and potential advantages, underwater farming still faces challenges that must be addressed before it can be widely adopted. Infrastructure, equipment, and regulatory frameworks need further development to ensure long-term sustainability and safety. However, with continued innovation, the next green revolution might just begin beneath the waves.

Photo Credits: CNN Media, News Week, Nemo’s Garden, Living Oceans Foundation