DR.ASHA DE VOS : SRI LANKA'S BLUE WHALE CHAMPION
- Tahsin Tabassum
- Oct 7
- 5 min read
On Ocean Justice, Innovation and Hope
On a sunlit morning off Sri Lanka’s southern coast, a ripple on the horizon breaks into the glistening back of a blue whale. It exhales, sending a misty plume into the air. For Dr. Asha de Vos—marine biologist, ocean advocate, and storyteller—this is not a rare encounter but a daily reminder of both the ocean’s beauty and its fragility.
As Sri Lanka’s first marine biologist to focus on the island’s resident blue whales, Dr. de Vos has spent years surfacing the untold stories of the sea. Her work has not only shifted scientific understanding but also challenged colonial frameworks that have long dominated marine research.
Q: You pioneered the study of Sri Lanka’s non-migratory blue whales. What first convinced you that your work would reshape ocean science?
Dr. de Vos:It was during what should have been the whales’ migration season. But they didn’t leave. They remained in our tropical waters, feeding and thriving. This went against everything textbooks had taught us—that blue whales migrate to polar regions to feed. That single observation was a revelation.
We later found that these whales adapt to the region’s upwelling systems, feeding on surface prey year-round. It wasn’t just a new behavioral pattern—it exposed how traditional marine science had overlooked ecosystems in the Global South. When I first shared the findings, several renowned scientists approached me, asking for permits to study “my” whales, assuming I was merely a gatekeeper rather than the lead scientist. That moment made my mission clear: to center local expertise and challenge exclusionary systems in ocean science.
Q: Over the years, what discovery surprised you the most?
Dr. de Vos:One of the most unexpected discoveries came through sound. Using acoustic monitoring—including data from underwater sensors originally designed to detect nuclear tests—we identified a new blue whale population in the western Indian Ocean based on its unique whale song. It reminded me that the ocean still holds so many secrets, even about the world’s largest animals.
Q: You’ve been outspoken about corporate responsibility, especially regarding plastic pollution. How do we hold companies like Coca-Cola accountable for their environmental impact?
Dr. de Vos:Coca-Cola produces billions of single-use plastic bottles annually, many of which end up polluting coastal communities in the Global South. I’ve seen firsthand how these plastics damage marine ecosystems and harm livelihoods in Sri Lanka.
The only way forward is through binding international regulations enforcing extended producer responsibility. Companies must be responsible not just for producing plastic but also for its entire life cycle—from production to clean-up. Voluntary pledges haven’t worked. Accountability must be legal, with real consequences for non-compliance. Most importantly, we must include frontline communities in policymaking. Those who suffer the consequences of pollution must have a voice in shaping the solutions.
Q: With plastic supply chains being so opaque, how do we make hidden environmental costs visible and shift incentives away from the “take–make–waste” model?
Dr. de Vos:Transparency is the key. We need laws requiring companies to disclose their plastic footprints at every stage. Technologies like blockchain can trace plastics from fossil fuel extraction to final disposal.
At the same time, we need to introduce pollution taxes and levies on virgin plastics, forcing companies to internalize the environmental costs they’ve long offloaded. When it becomes financially unsustainable to pollute, businesses will be driven to innovate.
Q: If the root problem is unchecked capitalist expansion, what deeper economic reforms are needed?
Dr. de Vos:Incremental fixes won’t cut it. We need systemic changes. Extended producer responsibility should be mandatory worldwide. Plastic taxes must discourage new production while funding community-led restoration projects.
I’m especially excited about cooperative ownership models for packaging. When communities manage these systems, the profits stay local, and sustainability becomes a shared goal. Also, banning planned obsolescence and mandating design for reuse and repairability would fundamentally shift consumption patterns.
Q: What aspects of the blue economy hold the most promise, and where should we be cautious?
Dr. de Vos:Sustainable fisheries and marine ecotourism have proven their worth. In Sri Lanka, community-led fisheries using traditional methods have boosted catch diversity while reducing bycatch. Responsible whale watching alone now contributes around $12 million annually to coastal economies here.
But the blue economy also has pitfalls. Greenwashing is a real threat. I’ve seen so-called “eco-resorts” displace fishing communities, and offshore projects like wind farms threaten sensitive habitats without proper impact assessments. Worse, funding is uneven—only 7% of blue economy investments reach Global South communities, despite their stewardship of 80% of marine biodiversity.
To realize the blue economy’s potential, we need inclusive governance, equitable benefit-sharing, and respect for traditional knowledge.
Q: Looking at global progress, what stood out to you at the most recent UN Ocean Conference—and where are we still falling short?
Dr. de Vos:There were powerful moments at the 2025 UN Ocean Conference in Nice. The 30x30 Ocean Breakthrough committed $500 million to Indigenous-led marine protection. The Plastic Treaty, ratified by 114 countries, aims to reduce marine plastic pollution by 90% by 2040. And debt-for-nature swaps are finally being used to redirect billions toward ocean conservation.
But we’re still underfunding ocean resilience. Oceans absorb 90% of planetary heat, yet receive only 8% of climate finance. And corporate accountability remains weak—there’s no enforcement to reroute ships away from key whale habitats. Without enforcement and equitable financing, even bold pledges risk falling short.
Q: How are climate stressors like ocean warming and acidification impacting marine life in South Asia?
Dr. de Vos:In places like the Gulf of Mannar, over 70% of coral reefs have degraded due to rising sea temperatures, threatening vital fish nurseries. Fish species are also shifting—sardine catches have dropped by 40% as they move eastward. Coastal erosion is displacing communities; 12% of Sri Lanka’s coastline has been lost since 2000.
And we’re not monitoring enough. Only two sensors currently track ocean deoxygenation in the Northern Indian Ocean. We’re flying blind. We need more regional research and expanded monitoring, led by local scientists who understand these ecosystems deeply.
Q: What role do local communities play in your conservation work?
Dr. de Vos:Everything we do at Oceanswell is community-led. We train coastal residents to record whale sightings through apps, increasing data coverage 15-fold. We’ve combined satellite data with traditional monsoon forecasting to help predict safe fishing days.
The most important principle? Reciprocity. When we helped communities secure mangrove rights, carbon credit revenues increased their incomes by 40%. Conservation must benefit the people who protect the ecosystem.
Q: Any interdisciplinary solutions you’re especially excited about?
Dr. de Vos:We’re piloting community-owned blue carbon markets. Fishers restore seagrass beds, earn verified carbon credits, and use the revenue for sustainable fishing gear and climate insurance. It’s a model that uplifts both ecosystems and communities.
Q: Finally, with your book and ongoing work, what’s your biggest call-to-action?
Dr. de Vos:Ocean survival depends on redistributing power—not just resources. We must decolonize conservation, fund local scientists, and recognize fishers as climate responders. Let’s legislate ocean empathy. Let’s value lived wisdom as much as data.
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Dr. Asha de Vos’s work is a testament to the power of science rooted in place, people, and justice. Her vision for the ocean is bold and inclusive—one where local voices lead, equity is non-negotiable, and every whale’s song is a call to protect the blue heart of our planet.
"The ocean is a shared heritage, and its protection demands that we dismantle economic models that externalize harm onto the most vulnerable."
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