How Sri Lanka’s Youth are Leading the Charge for Marine Protection

Answering the Ocean’s Cry for Help

“I remember that day like it was yesterday,” recalls a core member of the Pearl Protectors. “We found a net wrapped around a coral bed. If we hadn’t removed it, it would have killed everything in its path.” His voice carries exhaustion, but there’s something else, too—pride.

Moments like this fuel their fight. Because to them, the ocean doesn’t have a voice—but they do. And they’ll keep fighting for it.

Young Protectors Making Waves

For years, marine conservation in Sri Lanka was left to government bodies and large organisations. Young people were rarely seen as key players in the movement. Pearl Protectors set out to change that.

“We wanted to prove that young people can make a real difference in protecting our oceans,” they say. What started as a small group of passionate divers has transformed into a formidable force for change. Armed with determination, they take on threats most people never even see.

The fight for a healthier ocean starts where few dare to venture—deep underwater. The group recognised a hidden menace: marine debris suffocating the seabed. Their solution? The ‘Cleaner Seabeds’ project. The mission is gruelling. Divers navigate through murky waters, pulling out plastic bags wrapped around delicate coral, fishing lines tangled in rock formations, and discarded nets that spell doom for marine creatures.

“Seeing the sheer volume of plastic was heartbreaking,” recalls a volunteer diver. “But it also fuelled our determination to make a difference.”

Inspiring a Movement

In 2021, disaster struck. A shipwreck off Sri Lanka’s coast unleashed an avalanche of plastic nurdles—tiny pellets used in plastic production—into the ocean. It was an ecological catastrophe, with nurdles washing up on beaches, embedding themselves in the sand, and endangering marine life

The Pearl Protectors didn’t hesitate. “We knew we had to act fast.”

The team mobilised volunteers, scoured coastlines, and developed innovative tools to sift through the sand. Over two years, they removed over 2,000 kilograms of microplastics. Their relentless work didn’t just clean up the beaches—it sparked a global conversation about plastic waste and the urgent need for stricter regulations. But cleaning the ocean is one battle; preventing pollution is another. The Pearl Protectors understand that true conservation is rooted in community action. Their beach cleanups aren’t just about removing trash—they’re about igniting change.

“We wanted to show people that everyone can play a part in protecting our environment.”

In 2023 alone, their efforts cleared over 10,000 kilograms of waste from Sri Lanka’s beaches.

But the real impact is seen in the people who join. Young volunteers leave with more than just a sense of accomplishment—they leave with a mission. “Seeing the amount of plastic we collected really opened our eyes. It made us realise that we need to make changes in our own lives to reduce plastic.”

A New Wave of Ocean Warriors

Pearl Protectors have proven that conservation isn’t just the work of scientists, policymakers, or seasoned activists. It’s the work of anyone who loves the ocean enough to fight for it. And they’re just getting started.

“It’s not written anywhere that young people can’t, or shouldn’t, lead the charge in protecting the ocean,” they say. “If you have the passion, you can do it. In fact, you can probably do it better.” As the sun sets over Sri Lanka’s coastline, the fight continues. The tides are rising, but so are its defenders.

Founded in 2018, the Pearl Protectors are Sri Lanka’s leading youth-led marine conservation initiative. Their mission is to protect marine biodiversity through hands-on action, research, and education. From organising large-scale cleanups to pioneering underwater conservation efforts, they have mobilised thousands of volunteers in the fight against ocean pollution. Their work extends beyond Sri Lanka, shaping policies and sparking international conversations about marine conservation.