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

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

by Madushka Balasuriya “Sri Lanka is one of the best places in the world for shipwreck diving and for whale and dolphin watching. That’s an unbeatable combination,” enthuses Independent Marine Researcher Howard Martenstyn. Martenstyn is addressing the recently-concluded Colombo International Maritime Conference. His presentation centres round Sri Lanka’s untapped potential as a go-to marine life tourism destination, not only in the region but globally. The eight minute time s

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

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

by a Special correspondent Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has recently directed the Tourism Development Authority to develop water-based tourism inland as well as at sea. This augurs well for Sri Lanka which is blessed with a rich network of rivers that flow from the central mountains to the sea as well as inland lakes and lagoons and hundreds of irrigation ‘tanks’ that are remnants of the ancient civilizations of the country. In a country which seeks to project itself a

Independant Marine Researcher: Howard Martenstyn Howard Martenstyn was practically born with fins into a family to whom life in and around the ocean was of vital importance. His father was a respected pioneer of maritime business and his brother Cedric was a virtual legend when it came to marine life, water sports and naval life so it is of little surprise that Howard found his own calling in life at sea amongst marine mammals. Born in Sri Lanka attended the historic St. Thom

News 1st broadcasted on Sunday May 10, 2015 to millions of viewers in Sri Lanka a news bulletin At 7pm - Sirasa TV: Watch the Sinhala News Video At 8pm - Shakti TV: Watch the Tamil News Video At 9pm - MTV Sports & Shakti TV: Watch the English News Video A trailer was shown 55 mins past the hour on MTV Sports Live @55 throughout the day. For the first time in Sri Lanka, Patrick Dykstra and I used a set of aerial cameras do an in-depth study of whale and dolphin movements and

by Howard Martenstyn Journal of the Department of Wildlife Conservation of Sri Lanka For as long as I can remember I have had a deep fascination for the ocean and its magnificent creatures. My many expeditions led to a photographic documentation of their every move, followed by a desire to research their behaviour and environment, which eventually led me to extend my research notes into a book on my passion. The result being a 272-page coffee table sized book, the first of it

Journal of the Department of Wildlife Conservation of Sri Lanka This issue of “Sri Lankan Wildlife” is focused on marine wildlife in Sri Lankan waters which has a vivid diverse biodiversity compared to land biodiversity. Articles are written in Sinhala, Tamil and English with an aim to support the conservation of scarce resources of wildlife in the modern world which changes on a daily basis. Marine Life articles in English: - Marine Mammals of Sri Lanka, Howard Martenstyn, p