Swordfish, this week's star, are well-known for their sword-like bill. Swordfish are a type of billfish, and their bills are an extension of their upper jawbone which they use to stun and dismember their prey. Check out this week's #MarineMegafaunaMonday to learn more!

Vampire squid are small cephalopods (the family that includes Octopus) that have eight arms linked together by webbing. Living at extreme depths of 3000m, they are adapted to live in resource poor environments. Check out this weeks #marinemegafaunamonday to learn more!

These gentle giants, also called “sea cows”are herbivores that consume around 70 kg of greenery! They can live in freshwater and saltwater but tend to stick to shallower, warmer waters. They use squeaking noises to communicate danger or to socialise! #marinemegafaunamonday

This week’s #marinemegafaunamonday star is the second-largest fish in the world! Did you know that they are filter feeders with gill rakers (a unique organ that traps their prey)? Unfortunately, they face many threats, resulting in the IUCN declaring them endangered.

Pygmy killer whale mass #stranding, Kayankerni, #SriLanka, 25 October 2023. Much thanks to Sabapathipillai Novil from Kayankerni Fisheries Society and Blue Resources Trust for photos and videos and reaching out for advice and species ID support. Details here rb.gy/tlnv4

“Ocean conservation can only be successful if we consider the needs of those dependent on it. That’s why it’s vital to understand the human dimensions of illegal fishing & integrate that understanding into marine policy management” Lasuni GuleGodage Oceanswell #ScientistSpotlight

Apply soon

Heading to the high seas with my Oceanswell team to do some very exciting surveys onboard the #rainbowwarrior3 Greenpeace International South Asia. We will be outside #SriLankan waters exploring a little known part of the #IndianOcean. Stay tuned!

Scenes from onboard the #RainbowWarrior3 as we set sail this morning. Oceanswell Greenpeace International South Asia

Oceanswell Greenpeace International Navigating made easier with giant equipment Greenpeace International Oceanswell

Oceanswell Greenpeace International Last glimpses of land for a while. Excited to explore and see what lies beyond, way beyond our own country’s shores! Oceanswell Greenpeace International

Oceanswell Greenpeace International The Oceanswell team! I started as a deckhand and the only Sri Lankan aboard the R/V Odyssey expedition in 2003 and today I’m the lead scientist and was able to bring aboard 5 of my students on board. Greenpeace International SouthAsia

Oceanswell Greenpeace International Song of the Whale Prof Louise Allcock It takes a village to make a multi-week cetacean survey happen. Meet the village aboard the Greenpeace International #RainbowWarrior who came together to conduct surveys on the high seas of the #IndianOcean. Oceanswell

Oceanswell Greenpeace International Song of the Whale Prof Louise Allcock Some snap pity snaps of our time on the water. We are now almost home!

Pantropical spotted dolphins are amazing to see. Easily mistaken for spinner or even striped dolphins they are in fact quite different! Watch this video to find out how! PS: where I say ‘white patterning’ I mean ‘light patterning’) PPS: Captions are automatic Oceanswell