Life below 200 m deep is as fascinating as life within the light-filled zones of our oceans. While light fades, life does not. Unfortunately, these zones are largely inaccessible without the right equipment and infrastructure and are often overlooked and underexplored. Through this talk, I will take you on an adventure, from the Atlantic to the Indian Oceans, with a first-hand account of becoming Sri Lanka’s first deep sea explorer and aquanaut travelling to a 1000 m in a submersible, to my continued participation in international research expeditions searching for everything from deep-sea coral to bumping into dumbo octopuses.

“I will also share never-before-seen footage of some species living in the deep waters of our island home from our National Geographic Society-supported deep sea expedition in 2022. My advice? Don’t miss out!” Dr Asha de Vos is an internationally acclaimed Sri Lankan marine biologist, ocean educator, pioneer of long-term blue whale research within the Northern Indian Ocean, Sri Lanka's first deep sea explorer, and strong advocate for diversity and equity in marine conservation.

She is also an Adjunct Research Fellow at the Oceans Institute of the University of Western Australia. She has degrees from the University of St. Andrews, the University of Oxford and the University of Western Australia but escaped academia to establish her own Sri Lankan-grown non-profit, Oceanswell - Sri Lanka’s first marine conservation research and education organisation. Asha and her work have been showcased internationally by various media outlets, including BBC, the New York Times, TED and National Geographic. Amongst her most interesting and notable accolades, Asha is the first Sri Lankan woman to have her portrait hung at Oxford University.

She also has a deck on the MV Sylvia Earle cruise ship named after her. Further, her handwoven portrait is part of the ‘Women + Water’ exhibit at the Manitowish River Studio in the USA. She was listed on the BBC 100 Women 2018 list of most inspiring and influential women worldwide and named Lanka Monthly Digest’s Sri Lankan of the Year 2018. In 2020, Asha was awarded an inaugural Maxwell-Hanrahan award in field biology whilst also being named Scuba Diving Magazine’s Sea Hero of the Year. In 2021, she was awarded a Vanithaabimani Lifetime Achievement Award and the Tällberg-SNF-Eliasson Global Leadership Prize.

In 2023, she was named the equity and diversity champion of the British Ecological Society and an Osher Fellow at the California Academy of Sciences, USA. In 2024, Asha was appointed to the UN Secretary General’s 7-member Scientific Advisory Board. Don't miss this unique opportunity to delve into the mysterious depths of our oceans and witness groundbreaking discoveries firsthand. Join Dr Asha de Vos, Sri Lanka’s first deep-sea explorer, as she shares her exhilarating journey and never-before-seen footage from her deep-sea expeditions. This talk is more than an educational experience; it's an invitation to marvel at the wonders of our planet's most uncharted territories.

Hosted by the WNPS and supported by the Nations Trust Bank this event is a testament to their commitment to environmental education and conservation. Be part of this extraordinary event and support the vital work of the WNPS in fostering a deeper understanding of our natural world. The lecture is open to both members and non-members, ENTRANCE FREE.      

Pix courtesy WNPS