Recently, a lobster collection center in Sri Lanka was raided, and the news spread across the country. Many people claimed that the lobster fishery is illegal. However, this fishery is not illegal but is governed by specific rules and regulations to ensure proper management and conservation of lobster stocks. A well known Sinhala newspaper, "Mawbima", featured an interview with me conducted by journalist Miss Savani Sheashadhi to provide further insight into the lobster fishery in Sri Lanka.
Ocean Rosy
Dive into ocean conservation with Ocean Rosy
Our Mission
Our mission is to comprehend and conserve aquatic environments (marine, brackish and adjacent freshwater ecosystems) through innovative research and education. We are totally dedicated to carry out research that informs conservation policies and management strategies. We strive to cultivate an atmosphere of conservation and motivate the upcoming generation of ocean leaders.
Features
PROJECT Rising temperatures, shrinking rays?
Happy to share the exciting news! we are thrilled to announce that our co-Founder, Buddhi Maheshika Pathirana is working tirelessly to protect and conserve shark and ray species as one of the Project Leaders, SOSF Small Grant 2023, thanks to the amazing support of the Save Our Seas Foundation! 🦈🌊
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Book Donation
We are delighted to meet a distinguished individual Rex I. De Silva who plays multiple professional roles as a biologist, astronomer, and pioneer Sri Lankan diver/underwater photographer. On a special note, he generously donated his book “The Sharks of Sri Lanka” and we are privileged to house this valuable resource in the Ocean Rosy Library. This book will serve as a comprehensive guidebook and as a profound source of inspiration for the upcoming generation of aspiring scientists dedicated to the field of shark research.
🌊📚We're delighted to share some incredible progress of our Ocean Rosy Shark and Ray Research Project! 📚🌊🦈
With the support of the Save Our Seas Foundation "small grant", we've added two valuable guidebooks to our library - "Sharks of the World" and "Rays of the World" comstock publishing associates, Cornell University Press 📖🔍, expanding our knowledge of these magnificent creatures. But that's not all! Thanks to our co-founder Buddhi's grant-winning gift pack "Shark and People, Save Our Sea new magazines, Shark Doc, Shark Lab, and the Life and the Recollection of Eugine Clark. These resources are invaluable to our research efforts! Additionally, a raffle won by Buddhi at JMIH 2023 student bookstore "The Sharks of North American Waters" and "Fisheries of the Northeastern Atlantic and Mediterranean," providing us with even more insights! 📚🐠 🤝 We're committed to the journey of discovery and conservation, and with each step, we're making a difference for the oceans and its incredible inhabitants. 💪🌊 🚀 Let's continue this thrilling adventure together, protecting and preserving our ocean's wonders for generations to come! 🌏🦈
🌊Empowering Girl Marine Leaders from School Level: Seminar on Shark and Ray Conservation🌊🦈
Ocean Rosy is delighted to announce the launch of the inaugural event of our School Awareness programme series. We recognize that many Sri Lankan students are unaware of the Sharks and Rays and their vulnerability to fishing gear, primarily due to their low reproductive potential compared to bony fishes. To address this knowledge gap, Ocean Rosy has taken the initiative to execute an awareness programme targeting school children, university students, young conservationists, and budding marine scientists. We extend our sincere gratitude to the Science Section of Parakramabahu Vidyala for selecting young girl leaders to participate in our awareness programme. These young leaders will play a vital role in spreading awareness among their fellow junior students. We are especially thankful to the Principal, the Head of the Science Section, Mrs. Amani Thilakaratna and Sahan Thilakaratna, for arranging the school facilities for this important initiative. 🌊 Last but not least, we must extend our gratitude to Save Our Seas Foundation for its continuous support. 🌊 Join the Movement: Let's join hands to protect our oceans and the incredible marine life they harbor. Together, we can make a difference and create a brighter future for sharks, rays, and all marine species in Sri Lanka!
Panel discussing the challenges of conducting research in the Global South
We are excited to announce that our co-founder, Buddhi Maheshika, had the privilege of being a part of the panel discussing the challenges of conducting research in the Global South, hosted and organized by the Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology (SICB) and Minorities in Shark Sciences (MISS). As the Asia Coordinator of MISS and Co-founder of Ocean Rosy Sri Lanka, Buddhi is more focused on ensuring the voices of minorities in shark science are heard. With her fellow panelists, she discussed the issues in Global South research and addressed the problems of colonial science. In 2024, she and her fellow panelists are committed to providing more opportunities for minority women scientists, breaking down barriers, and ensuring that underrepresented voices are heard. This journey toward a more inclusive and fair scientific community is just beginning, and she is eager to witness the positive changes we can make together. Let's continue pushing for diversity, fairness, and inclusion in the world of science.
Services
Consultancy
We work closely with local governments, other organizations, and regional bodies to share our technical knowledge and disseminate our findings.
Research
We conduct specialized and targeted research on aquatic species and their habitats.
Photography
We keep a library of species photographs for future research purposes.
Research Publications
2026
Kuntz, J.P., Cooper, A.A., Pathirana, P.B.M., Bell-Tilcock, M., Hobbs, J.A. and Kim, S.L., 2026. Disentangling shared and divergent life histories with age-based eye lens isotope records in a coastal shark. Isotopes in Environmental and Health Studies, pp.1-31.
Text is available at: DOI: 10.1080/10256016.2026.2668747
2025
Pathirana, P.B.M., Harrison, R., Feinstein, D., Graham, J., Leeger, R., Liao, A., Mendoza, N., Munyer, L., Powell, A.D.M., Burton-Reeder, K. and Thilakaratna, W.S. and Sora L. Kim 2025. Trophic Ecology of the Tiger Shark (Galeocerdo cuvier) and Bengal Whipray (Brevitrygon imbricata) Harvested by Sri Lankan Fisheries Based on Stable Isotope Analysis. Integrative And Comparative Biology, p.icaf76
Text is available at: DOI: 10.1093/icb/icaf076
Pathirana, P.B.M., Muschett-Bonilla, A., Gore, D., Sarkis, C.M., Thilakaratna, W.S., Peters, K.L. and Daly-Engel, T.S., 2025. Genetic insight into tiger sharks (Galeocerdo cuvier) and whiprays (Brevitrygon sp.) in Sri Lanka. Integrative And Comparative Biology, p.icaf061.
Text is available at: DOI: 10.1093/icb/icaf061
Hyrycena, I., Binraj, M., Pathirana, P.B.M. and Graham, J., 2025. Overcoming Waves of Challenges: Experiences of BIPOC Shark Scientists in the Global South. Integrative and Comparative Biology, 65(5), pp.1219-1233.
Text is available at: DOI: 10.1093/icb/icaf140
2024
Pathirana, P.B.M., Simonitis, L. and Kim, S.L 2024. Trophic ecology of Chimaera, Hydrolagus colliei, inferred from stable isotope analysis. Special Session: Minorities in Shark Sciences, Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology.
Text is available at: DOI: 10.13140/RG.2.2.35646.66884
Articles
Our aim is to raise awareness about the significance of algae in the ecosystem and their sustainable applications in various industries.
World Manta Day 2025 This year’s theme, The Power of Protection, highlights the urgent need for stronger safeguards. Our co-founder, W. Sahan Thilakaratna, was interviewed by Daily Mirror journalist Ms. Tahaan Jayawardene in recognition of World Manta Day, celebrated on September 17. This article highlights the importance of conserving manta rays and raising awareness about their protection.