Under Water Warrior

Only a scuba diver can appreciate the wonder and mystery of the ocean, and experience the devastation caused by pollution in a way many people cannot. Rose Fernando, a finance professional,  an avid scuba diver, and a dedicated marine conservationist, is at the forefront of the battle against ocean pollution as the Expedition Lead for the “Cleaner Seabeds for Sri Lanka” project, initiated by The Pearl Protectors.

Rose leads a committed team of volunteers toiling tirelessly to remove marine litter from the seabeds and reefs along Sri Lanka’s coastline. Witnessing firsthand the devastating impact of pollution on marine ecosystems, she has dedicated herself to restoring and preserving the ocean’s beauty. Under her leadership, the team has successfully cleared over 2,000kg of waste, including 1,580kg of harmful ghost fishing nets, from the North Palagala Reef and Thilip Reef in Trincomalee, resulting in a resurgence of marine life in these areas.

What attracted Rose to the “Cleaner Seabeds for Sri Lanka” project was its focus beyond waste removal; it’s about fostering lasting change by working with communities. Rose and her team are expanding their efforts by engaging more volunteers, collaborating with local communities and businesses to promote ocean conservation, and advocating for stronger marine conservation laws to protect these vital ecosystems for future generations.

For Rose, this mission is deeply personal. Having volunteered since childhood, she has developed a profound sense of responsibility toward community service. Despite the challenges of balancing her career as the Manager for Business Finance at GRI – which requires deep-diving skills of another kind – her conservation work remains a priority. The scale of the challenge is immense: globally, 8 million metric tons of plastic waste enter the ocean each year, and Sri Lanka’s coastline is heavily impacted by marine litter. Rose and her team’s efforts are a beacon of hope, demonstrating that collective action can lead to a healthier, more sustainable ocean.