Sujeewa Athukoorala

Name : Dr. Sujeewa Athukoorala

Contact: sujeewahemanthi@gmail.com

Education :

  • Ph.D.: Marine Fish Biology and Management School of Environment Resources and Development, Asian Institute of Technology, Thailand
  • M.Sc. in Fisheries and Aquatic Resource Management; University of Sri Jayawardanapura
  • B. Sc. (Special) Degree in Fisheries Biology; University of Ruhuna, Sri Lanka

Research interests

  • Grouper fishery
  • Fish stock assessments
  • Fisheries management
  • Demersal fish resources
  • Marine biology
  • Coastal ecology
  • Fish biology
  • Biological aspects of fishing gears
  •  Sea cucumber fishery
  • Chank fishery

List of performances

  • Taskforce leader of Underwater visual survey on Stock Assessment of Chanks (Turbinella pyrum) Survey in Southern coast of Sri Lanka (2008- 2009)
  • Taskforce member of underwater visual survey on Stock Assessment of Sea cucumber and Chank fishery in East coast, North Western coast, Sri Lanka (2008-2009)
  • Carried out Co-management meetings and awareness workshops about Sea cucumber and Chank fishery in five fisheries co-management divisions in Puttlam and Mannar district, Sri Lanka (2008-2010)
  • Carried out Co-management meetings and awareness workshops about Chank fishery in nine fisheries co-management divisions in Hambantota district, Sri Lanka (2008-2010)
  • Taskforce leader of survey on Molluscs resource at Bar Reef Marine Sanctuary, Bay of Bengal Large Marine Ecosystems (BOBLME) 2014
  •  Taskforce member of comprehensive study on Population biology and fishery of the blue swimming crab (Portunus pelagicus) in Jaffna District 2014-2016.
  • Taskforce member of the Port Biological Baseline survey at Colombo harbor 2013
  • Taskforce Leader of the Port Biological Baseline Survey at Trincomalee 2014
  • Taskforce Leader of the Port Biological Baseline Survey at Galle harbor 2014-2015
  • Taskforce Leader of the Port Biological Baseline Survey at Hambantota harbor 2014-2015
  • Taskforce Member of SEIA survey of Colombo Port city Development project 2015
  • Taskforce member of Studies on the Sea Cucumber and Chank fishery resources in Sri Lanka, Marine Environmental Baseline Information Network, Petroleum Resources Development Secretariat (PRDS) 2016
  • Taskforce member of Initial Environmental Examination (IEE) Report on 2 D Dimensional Seismic Survey for Oil Exploration in deep sea Blocks in North East Cauvery basin of Sri Lanka 2016
  • Taskforce member of project team in the collection of human-use, biological and shoreline characteristics to support the development of an Environmental Sensitivity Index (ESI) from the port of Colombo to Negombo lagoon 2016
  • Taskforce Leader of reefs and fish monitoring survey under Colombo Port city consultancy project from 2016 to 2019
  • Taskforce Leader of Assessment of Dead seashell deposit in Thambalagamuwa Bay, Trincomalee 2017
  • Taskforce member of Kayankeni Marine Sanctuary Declaration project 2017
  • Cruise member of Dr. Fridtjof Nansen Bay of Bengal Ecosystem survey research crew around Sri Lankan coast from 24 June-16 July 2018

Scholarships / awards received

  • Short term training on Marine Fisheries Resource Survey, Stock Assessment, and Co-management at SEAFDEC, Thailand (February 2010).
  •  Training on Coastal Fishing Techniques for Sustainable Resource Use. Hokkaido University, Japan. (October 2012 – December 2012)
  • Fully funded FAO scholarship for MSc, University of Sri Jayawardanapura (2011-2014)
  • Workshop on Fisheries Management University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies, Kochi, India. (December 2013)
  • Fully funded SLCARP scholarship for PhD, Asian Institute of Technology (2018 to date)
  • One Belt One Road Marine Fisheries International Training program, Shanghai Ocean University, China (6-31 May 2019)

Scientific publications

 Books/Book chapters
  • Long B.G.,Amarasiri C., Rajasooriya A., Dissanayake D.C.T., Liyanage U.S.P.K., Jayasinghe R.P.P.K., Athukoorala A.A.S.H., Karunathilake K.M.B.C., Fernando H.S.G., Fernando W.V.A.T.D (2010)-SRI LANKA FISHERIES ATLAS VOLUME 1- Status of resources, fisheries and management initiatives on sea cucumber, chank, lobster, shrimp and marine aquarium fish in the northwest, south and east coasts of Sri Lanka, National Aquatic Resources Research and Development Agency, Colombo 15,Sri Lanka; GCP/SRL/054/CAN
  • Dissanayake D.C.T., Athukoorala A.A.S.H (2010) Identification guide of commercially important sea cucumbers in Sri Lanka
  • Marine Environment Protection Authority (2016). Port Biological Baseline Survey Report: Volume 2- Port of Trincomalee Ranatunga, R R M K P, Asanthi, H B, de Croos, M D S T, Jayasiri, H B, Kumara, P B T P & Maithreepala, R A Athukoorala, A A S H (Eds). Marine Environment Protection Authority (MEPA), Ministry of Mahaweli Development and Environment, Colombo, Sri Lanka
  • Marine Environment Protection Authority (2018). Port Biological Baseline Survey Report: Volume 3- Port of Galle. Ranatunga, R R M K P, Asanthi, H B, de Croos, M D S T, Jayasiri, H B, Kumara, P B T P & Maithreepala, R A (Eds). Marine Environment Protection Authority (MEPA), Ministry of Mahaweli Development and Environment, Colombo, Sri Lanka
  • Marine Environment Protection Authority (2017). Port Biological Baseline Survey Report: Volume 4– Port of Hambantota, Ranatunga, R R M K P, Asanthi, H B, de Croos, M D S T, Jayasiri, H B, Kumara, P B T P & Maithreepala, R A (Eds). Marine Environment Protection Authority (MEPA), Ministry of Mahaweli Development and Environment, Colombo, Sri Lanka.
Thesis
  • Temporal and Spatial Variations of Demersal fishes on the Continental shelf of Sri Lanka with special Reference to Groupers as a part of fulfilment of Doctor of Philosophy, 2021, Asian Institute of Technology, Thailand
  • Effectiveness of anchored Fish Aggregating Device (FAD) on fish aggregation behavior as a part of fulfilment of Master of Science 2014, University of Sri Jayewardenepura
  • Possibilities of Culturing Marine Micro Algae in Artificial Sea water Medium as a part of fulfilment of Bachelor of Science 2006, University of Ruhuna.
Journal articles/International
  • Dissanayake D.C.T., Sujeewa Athukorala, and C.Amarasiri., (2009) Present status of the sea cucumber fishery in Sri Lanka. Spc Beche –de-mer information Bullatin 30:14-20
  • Dissanayake D.C.T., Sujeewa Athukorala., (2009) Abundance, distribution and some biological aspects of Holothuria edulis in the North Western coastal waters of Sri Lanka. Spc Beche-de-mer information Bullatin 31: 39-44
  • Athukoorala A.A.S.H., Bandaranayaka K.H.K., Haputhantri S.S.K., (2015) A study on some aspects of reproductive biology and population characteristics of Ambligaster sirm in the West coast of Sri Lanka. International journal of Fiheries and Aquatic Studies 2(4): 41-45
  • Athukoorala, A.A.S.H., Bhujel, R.C., Krakstad, J.-O., Matsuishi, T.F., (2021). Regional variation in fish species on the continental shelf of Sri Lanka. Reg. Stud. Mar. Sci. 44, 101755. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rsma.2021.101755
  • Athukoorala, A.A.S.H., Bhujel, R.C., Krakstad, J-O., Tsusaka, T. W., Matsuishi, T. F., (2021). Temporal variation of grouper diversity and distribution on the continental shelf of Sri Lanka: a revisit after four decades. Fisheries Research (Acepted on 12/05/2021)
Conference proceedings (Local and International)
  • Athukoorala A.A.S.H., Dissanayaka D.C.T., (2012) Present stock status of Turbinella pyrum in Southern coastal area of Sri Lanka, Proceedings of the Eighteenth Session of the Sri Lanka Association for Fisheries and Aquatic Resources
  • Athukoorala A.A.S.H., (2012) Preparation of anchored Fish Aggregation Devices (FAD): research gaps in current knowledge and future direction to increase the fish production within the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of Sri Lanka, Proceedings of National Aquatic Resources Research and Development Agency Scientific Sessions 22
  • Athukoorala A.A.S.H., Ranathunga R.R.M.K.P., Bandara D.V.S.P., (2014) Biological assessment of the effect of Anchored Fish Aggregating Devices, Proceedings of the Twentieth Sessions of the Sri Lanka Association for Fisheries and Aquatic Resources 33
  • Athukoorala A.A.S.H., Bandaranayaka K.H.K., Haputanthri S.S.K., (2014) A study on some aspects of reproductive biology and population characteristics of Ambligaster sirm in the west coast of Sri Lanka, Conference proceedings of the International conference on Fisheries and Aquaculture 9
  • Athukoorala A.A.S.H., Mallawaarachci M.A.J.C., Pahalawattarachchi V., Kithsiri H.M.P., (2014) A taxonomic study of Mollusk species found in Bar reef marine sanctuary at Kalpitiya, Proceedings of 2nd international symposium on driving research towards economy opportunities and challenges Sri Lanka academy of young scientist,
  • Athukoorala A.A.S.H., (2015) Effectiveness of Anchored Fish Aggregation device (FAD) on fish aggregation behaviour, Proceedings of second National Symposium on Marine Envirenment of the Marine Environment Protection Authority, 29pp.
  • Nirbadha K.G.S., Bandaranayake K.H.K., Rathnasuriya M.I.G.,Haputhantri S.S.K., Weerasekara S.J.W.W.M.M.P., Athukoorala A.S.H.,(2016) Feedig habits and food composition of adult Blue swimmig crabs(Portunus pelagicus) in the Northern coastal waters of Sri Lanka, Proceedings of the twenty second scientific sessions of the Sri Lanka Association for Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, 50pp.
  • Bandaranayake K.H.K., Nirbadha K.G.S., Rathnasuriya M.I.G., Athukoorala A.S.H., Perera H.A.C.C., Weerasekara S.J.W.W.M.M.P., Haputhantri S.S.K., (2016), Integrating some aspects of reproductive biology into the management of Blue swimming crab (Portunus pelagicus) fishery i the Northern coastal waters of Sri Lanka, Proceedings of the twenty second scientific sessions of the Sri Lanka Association for Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, 51pp.
  • Haputhantri S.S.K., Nirbadha K.G.S., Bandaranayake K.H.K., Rathnasuriya M.I.G., Athukoorala A.S.H.,Jayathilaka R.A.M., Weerasekara S.J.W.W.M.M.P., (2016), A morphometric analysis of Blue swimming crabs (Portunus pelagicus) in the Northern coastal waters of Sri Lanka, Proceedings of the twenty second scientific sessions of the Sri Lanka Association for Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, 52pp.
  • Athukoorala A.A.S.H. and Jayasinghe R.P.P.K., (2017), Baseline survey on species diversity and abundance of reef fishes inhabiting Diyabagala reef at off Negombo coast in Sri Lanka, Proceedings of the 4th International conference on fisheries and aquaculture, 5pp.
  • Athukoorala A.A.S.H and Nirbada K.G.S., (2017), An introduction of baited traps for harvesting bottom dwelling crustaceans in the trawling grounds in the West coast of Sri Lanka, Proceedings of the National Aquatic Resources Research and Development Agency (NARA), Scientific Sessions, 13pp.
  • Athukoorala A.A.S.H., Kumara W.A.A.U., Dissanayake P.A.K.N., Guruge K.P.G.K.P., Pethiyagoda P.D.R.S., Kumara P.B.T.P., (2017), Marine environmental indicators in the aspects of biodiversity of Trincomalee port, Proceedings of Third National Symposium on Marine Envirenment of the Marine Environment Protection Authority, 33pp.
  • Athukoorala A.A.S.H and Jayasinghe R.P.P.K., (2018), Assessment of Dead Sea Shell accumulation in the Thambalagamuwa Bay in the East coast of Sri Lanka, Proceedings of the twenty Fourth scientific sessions of the Sri Lanka Association for Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, 12pp.
  • Dalpathadu, K, R., Haputhantri, S.S.K., Athukoorala, A.A.S.H., (2018).Some aspects of reproductive biology and growth of Tomato Hind, Cephalopholis sonnerati Valenciennes, 1828) (Teleostei: Epinephelidae) in Western and Southern coastal waters of Sri Lanka. Proceedings of 36th Scientific Sessions, National Aquatic Resources Research and Development Agency, Sri Lanka
List of reports
  • Report on Status and Management of Sea cucumber fishery in Sri Lanka (East coast and North Western coast) –CENARA project 2008/2009
  • Report on Southern coast (Hambantota district) Chank resource survey – CENARA project 2009
  • Survey report on Molluscs resource at Bar Reef Marine Sanctuary, Bay of Bengal Large Marine Ecosystems (BOBLME) 2014
  • Population biology and fishery of the blue swimming crab (Portunus   pelagicus) in Jaffna District, Funding by National Fisheries Institute Crab Council in USA via the Sea Food Exporters’ Association of Sri Lanka, 2014-2016
  • Supplementary Environmental Impact Assessment (SEIA) for the off-shore sand extraction project at Port city development- November 2016
  • Studies on the Sea Cucumber and Chank fishery resources in Sri Lanka, Marine Environmental Baseline Information Network, Petroleum Resources Development Secretariat (PRDS) 2016
  • Initial Environmental Examination (IEE) Report on 2 D Dimensional Seismic Survey for Oil Exploration in deep sea Blocks in North East Cauvery basin of Sri Lanka – December 2016
  • Baseline survey report on Baseline survey on Species Diversity and Density of Onagala, Diyambagala and Kalapugala reefs in the West coast of Sri Lanka for Impact confirmation under the Colombo Port city Development project 2016
  • Baseline survey of Fish and Fish Habitual in Onagala Reef Habitat in the West coast of Sri Lanka for Impact confirmation under the Colombo Port city Development project 2016
  • Atlas of Environmental Sensitivity Index from port of Colombo to Negombo lagoon 2016
  • Monitoring survey report on Species Diversity and Density of Onagala, Diyambagala and Kalapugala reefs in the West coast of Sri Lanka for Impact confirmation under the Colombo Port city Development project 2017
  • Monitoring of Fish and Fish Habitual in Onagala Reef Habitat in the West coast of Sri Lanka for Impact confirmation under the Colombo Port city Development project 2017
  • Assessment of Dead seashell bed at Thambalagamuwa bay at Trincomalee Funded by Geological Survey and Mines Bureau. 2017
  • Monitoring survey report on Species Diversity and Density of Onagala, Diyambagala and Kalapugala reefs in the West coast of Sri Lanka for Impact confirmation under the Colombo Port city Development project 2018
  • Monitoring of Fish and Fish Habitual in Onagala Reef Habitat in the West coast of Sri Lanka for Impact confirmation under the Colombo Port city Development project 2018
Contribution to the management recommendation/policy decision making
  • Coo management area declaration under the CENARA project Eastern coast 2009
  • Coo management area declaration under the CENARA project Eastern coast 2010
  • Declaration of Kayankeni Marine Protected Area with the collaboration of Marine Environmental Protection Authority (MEPA) 2017
  • Management of Dead seashell mining in Thambalagamuwa Bay, Trincomalee 2017