Researcher donates 4,000 books to expand conservation
Ceylon Today newspaper 10 July 2019 Marine researcher and author Howard Martenstyn has in a philanthropic gesture donated 4,000 Sinhala books on marine mammals to schools, libraries and other educational institutions. In an effort to increase awareness, appreciation and a desire to protect marine life Martenstyn has painstakingly developed and translated some of his best work as an investment in the future. He was motivated to produce this legacy publication in memory of his

'Sri Lanka Marine Mammal Research and Conservation 1560 to 2019' Published
HOWARD MARTENSTYN announces his brand-new technical report Sri Lanka Marine Mammal Research and Conservation 1560 to 2019 For over 10 years I have dedicated an immense amount of time towards in-depth research on marine mammals in the waters surrounding Sri Lanka. It is my great desire that generations to come may be educated and inspired by my work and develop a deep sense of conservation. To this end I am pleased to announce the publication of my legacy Sri Lanka Marine Mamm

An Evening of Wildlife
Hosted by Jetwing. Curated by Gehan de Silva Wijeyeratne and Ashok Ferrey with panelists Andrew Kittle, Chaminda Jayasekera, Devaka Weerakoon, Howard Martenstyn, Juliet Coombe, Malaka Rodrigo, Prithiviraj Fernando and Wicky Wickremesekera. Panel on Wildlife Research: Chaminda Jayasekera - Slender Lorises & Fishing Cats Andrew Kittle - Leopards Howard Martenstyn - Whales Prithiviraj Fernando - Elephants Devaka Weerakoon - Birds & Corporates Moderated by Ashok Ferrey Each panel

Spectacular Sightings in the 'Basses'
by Howard Martenstyn I have embarked on many an exciting and adventurous journey in my endeavour to observe, protect and encourage best practices in the sightings of the magnificent whale. Yet I can say with confidence that I have just concluded a voyage of a lifetime. As a 145-foot yacht took to the Island's waters, the first vessel of its size in Sri Lanka, I too had the good fortune to be aboard it and witness the splendour of great whales. Week 1: On the eastern seaboard

Sri Lanka's Amazing Wildlife
Watch an abridged version of the video 'Sri Lanka: The Kingdom of Wildlife' that was given to delegates by Ministry of Wildlife at the CITES CoP17 Conference held from 24th September to 5th October 2016 in Johannesburg, South Africa. Howard Martenstyn and Patrick Dykstra contributed valuable marine video footage for this production to promote marine conservation in Sri Lanka and a preferred tourist destination. CITES is an international agreement between governments. Its aim

Live Chat on World Tourism Day
Watch a live chat in English with Bandula Jayasekara that was broadcast on TV 1 Newsline at 7am on 27th September 2016. On World Tourism Day, Howard Martenstyn talks about - the pros and cons related to whale watching in Mirissa and Sri Lanka, - the need for much more conservation related activities such as beach and coral reef cleanup, - as an island nation we know so little about the ocean that we need to bring in educational programs, - regulations must always be accompani

Foreword
It is April 2012. Howard Martenstyn, already en route to Kalpitiya, is calling to say he is proceeding to investigate reports of a large number of sperm whales. Soon he is at sea with the whales, reporting a northward movement. Focusing on the sea around, he observes squid on the surface, leading us to believe this was perhaps more a gathering for feeding than a suspected migration; a theory yet to be conclusively established scientifically proposes that these sperm whales mo

Humpback Dolphin Subpopulation Critically Endangered
A study shows that a subpopulation of humpback dolphins found in Kalpitiya are critically endangered. They have declined in numbers from 15 in 2005 to just five adults as evidenced by photo identification. These humpbacks regularly enter the Kalpitiya estuary (Dutch Bay & Puttalam Lagoon) with the tide to feed. See Kalpitiya Humpback Dolphin Study & Photo ID Interim Report #humpbackdolphin #research #dolphin #conservation #education

Orcas Revisit Sri Lankan Waters?
A photo identification study shows that the same pod of transient orcas have been seen four times on the western and southern seaboards between 2008 and 2011. March 15, 2008 in Kalpitiya, 1 adult orca December 29, 2008 in Mirissa, 2 orcas January 31, 2010 in Kalpitiya, 2 orcas January 30, 2011 in Kalpitiya, 3 orcas incl. calf The last two sightings were exactly one year apart in the same area and were travelling southbound on both occassions. See Orca Photo ID report #researc

'Whales Weep Not' Documentary Filmed in Trincomalee
Duration - 5:48 minutes Documentary film by James R Donaldson III. D.H. Lawrence — Whales Weep Not! (read by Dylan Thomas). This underwater epic film was shot on location in Trincomalee, Sri Lanka in 1982. It shows the sperm whale and the blue whale underwater for the first time in history and documents the little-known habits and characteristics of the endangered sperm whale. #research #bluewhale #spermwhale #education #underwater