What Blue Resources Trust (brt) does

Blue Resources Trust (BRT) is a Sri Lanka-registered non-profit organization (registration GA 3218) conducting marine research, conservation, education, and consultancy focused on fisheries, coral reefs, and seagrass ecosystems. Headquartered in Battaramulla with a mailing presence in Colombo and a biological collections site in Kalkudah, BRT operates three interconnected programmes: the Fisheries and Policy Programme (anchored by the Sri Lanka Elasmobranch Project, the country's first systematic long-term study of shark and ray landings), the Coral Reef Programme, and the Seagrass and Climate Change Programme. The organization bridges research and policy by serving Sri Lankan government agencies — the Department of Wildlife Conservation, the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, and Sri Lanka Customs — and by contributing technical input to international conventions including CITES and CMS.

BRT's core products are research-led and tooling-adjacent rather than commercial software. These include: the Sri Lanka Elasmobranch Project (long-term landings monitoring), a custom Electronic Non-Detriment Finding (e-NDF) software platform hosted at user.cites-endf.org that supports CITES Authorities for sharks, rays, and sea cucumbers with an adaptable framework for other species, multi-language (English, Sinhala, Tamil) visual identification guides for CITES-listed species, and a DNA manual for trade enforcement analysts. Outputs are distributed free of charge via the BRT website, through peer-reviewed scientific publications, and through internship programs across all three programmes.

BRT's business model is non-commercial grant-funded operations. Revenue is sourced from donations, grants, and funding partnerships with international conservation organizations (Oceans 5, Save Our Seas, MCAF, Shark Conservation Fund, IFAW, BfN), UK government technical partners (CEFAS), academic institutions (University of St Andrews, University of Plymouth, Uva Wellassa, Wayamba), and Sri Lankan corporate sponsors (Tokyo Cement). Customer segments served are predominantly government agencies (Sri Lankan), coastal fishing communities, young researchers and students, and international environmental organizations, with no disclosed pricing or commercial transaction model.

Name

Blue Resources Trust (brt)

Legal name

Blue Resources Trust

Website

https://blueresources.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2018

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Blue Resources Trust is a Sri Lanka-based non-profit conducting marine research, conservation, education, and consultancy on fisheries, coral reefs, and seagrass ecosystems, serving government agencies, fishing communities, young researchers, and international conservation bodies.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Marine Conservation Services

NAICS

Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312), Environmental Consulting Services (54162)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)

akta.pro primary industry

Marine & Freshwater Conservation (BPAGAGAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Coastal & Marine Resources Administration (Oceans, Fisheries, Shorelines) (BPAIAMAI), Environmental Monitoring, Data & Reporting (Air/Water/Soil) (BPAIAMAC), Land Trusts & Protected Areas (BPAGAGAC)

Keywords

• Marine conservation
• Fisheries research
• Coral reef monitoring
• Seagrass ecology
• CITES implementation

Headquarters

HQ city

Battaramulla

HQ country

Sri Lanka

HQ region

Asia

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Donations and Grant Funding: Blue Resources Trust is a non-profit organization (registered in Sri Lanka as GA 3218) that operates through donations, grants, and funding partnerships with international conservation organizations, governments, and foundations.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Blue Resources Trust is a Sri Lankan non-profit marine conservation organization that conducts research, monitoring, education, and consultancy across three programmes: Fisheries and Policy (sharks, rays, chimaeras), Coral Reef, and Seagrass and Climate Change. It delivers scientific data and identification tools that inform government conservation policy, supports CITES and CMS implementation, runs long-term fisheries monitoring (Sri Lanka Elasmobranch Project), develops identification guides and a DNA manual, and provides an Electronic Non-Detriment Finding (e-NDF) software for CITES Authorities.

Product overview

Blue Resources Trust (BRT) is a marine conservation non-profit organization that operates three interconnected research programmes: the Fisheries and Policy Programme (focused on sharks, rays, and chimaeras), the Coral Reef Programme, and the Seagrass and Climate Change Programme. BRT's product offerings center on research monitoring tools (Sri Lanka Elasmobranch Project/SLEP), species identification resources (Visual ID Guides, DNA Manual), and the e-NDF electronic software platform for CITES compliance. These products collectively support evidence-based marine conservation, policy development, and international convention implementation.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Sri Lanka Elasmobranch Project (SLEP) A long-term, island-wide monitoring programme documenting sharks, rays, and chimaeras landed in Sri Lankan fisheries to inform conservation and management. Targeted at Sri Lankan government agencies, conservation organizations, and international convention bodies (CITES, CMS).
• Electronic Non-Detriment Finding (e-NDF) software for CITES Custom electronic software that supports CITES Authorities in developing Non-Detriment Findings (NDFs) for sharks, rays, and sea cucumbers. The adaptable framework can be modified for other species groups. Targeted at national CITES Authorities and wildlife management agencies.
• Shark and Ray Identification (ID) Guides Identification guides for wedgefishes, giant guitarfishes, and other CITES-listed shark and ray species to support implementation of international trade regulations. Distributed to fisheries personnel, customs officers, and conservation practitioners in multiple languages (English, Sinhala, Tamil).
• Visual ID Guide to Identify CITES Shark Products Visual identification tools to help trade inspectors, customs officers, and fisheries personnel quickly and accurately identify CITES-regulated shark and ray carcasses and dried products.
• DNA Manual for Shark Fins and Products Manual developed for professional DNA analysts conducting genetic testing of shark fins, meat fillets, and other traded shark products for CITES enforcement.
• Marine Conservation Internship Programme Internships offering hands-on experience in marine research, conservation, and policy across BRT's three programmes (Fisheries and Policy, Coral Reef, Seagrass and Climate Change). Targeted at graduate students and early-career researchers; associated costs detailed in application forms.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 70% of Sri Lanka's ~105 shark and ray species are threatened with extinction (IUCN Red List)
• +2 more outcomes

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• CEFAScoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUK government agency providing technical support to BRT. CEFAS collaboration includes reviewing and updating Sri Lanka's NPOA-Sharks, developing national shark and ray ID guidebook, conducting deepwater BRUV surveys and genetic research on sharks and rays.
• Project SeagrasscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational seagrass research organization. BRT collaborates with Project Seagrass on island-wide research and monitoring of Sri Lanka's seagrass meadows, exploring links between seagrass habitats and food security.
• Project SeahorsecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational conservation organization focused on seahorses and marine conservation. BRT collaborates on marine research and conservation initiatives.
• Department of Wildlife Conservation (Sri Lanka)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSri Lankan government agency responsible for wildlife conservation. BRT works closely with DWC to bridge research and policy for evidence-based management of marine resources.
• Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (Sri Lanka)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSri Lankan government agency overseeing fisheries management. BRT collaborates on shark and ray research and CITES implementation support.
• Manta TrustcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational marine conservation organization focused on manta rays. BRT collaborates on manta and devil ray research and conservation efforts.
• University of St AndrewsmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic institution with marine research expertise. BRT collaborates with the university on seahorse research and other marine conservation initiatives.
• University of PlymouthmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic institution offering MSc Marine Conservation program. BRT collaborates with the university on marine conservation education and research.
• Uva Wellassa UniversitymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSri Lankan university with programs in environmental sciences. BRT collaborates on research and capacity building initiatives.
• Wayamba University of Sri LankamajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSri Lankan university. BRT collaborates on research and education in marine conservation and related fields.
• Whale and Dolphin Conservation (WDC)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational organization focused on whale and dolphin conservation. BRT collaborates on marine conservation research and awareness initiatives.
• Dolphin QuestmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMarine conservation and education organization. BRT partners on marine research and conservation efforts.
• Sri Lanka CustomsmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSri Lankan government agency responsible for customs and border control. BRT works with Customs on combating wildlife trafficking of CITES-listed marine species.
• Conservation ConnectminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerConservation network organization. BRT partners with Conservation Connect on marine conservation initiatives.
• Ocean Ecology LabminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch organization focused on ocean ecology. BRT collaborates on marine research projects.
• PelagikosminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSri Lankan marine research organization. BRT collaborates on pelagic species research.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Oceana: Oceana is the largest international advocacy organization focused exclusively on ocean conservation, running global campaigns on fisheries management, IUU fishing, and bycatch. It is a broad incumbent that overlaps with BRT's fisheries-policy work at significantly greater campaign and lobbying scale.
• Conservation International: Conservation International is a large global conservation organization with extensive marine and coastal programs including fisheries, MPAs, and biodiversity. It is a broad incumbent that overlaps with BRT's marine conservation and MPA work but with vastly greater funding and geographic reach.
• International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW): IFAW is an international animal welfare and conservation organization that funds marine wildlife protection work. It is both a BRT funder and a broad incumbent peer in marine species conservation, though operating across many species and geographies beyond sharks and rays.
• Fauna & Flora International: FFI is a long-established international conservation NGO with marine species programs including sharks and rays. It is a broad incumbent with overlapping species-conservation and policy mandates, but operates globally rather than focusing on Sri Lanka.
• Save Our Seas Foundation: Save Our Seas is a global foundation funding shark and marine conservation research and education. It is both a BRT funder and a broad incumbent peer, operating dedicated shark research centers and grant programs that overlap BRT's elasmobranch mission.
• Wildlife Conservation Society: WCS is a large, globally established conservation NGO with marine programs spanning fisheries, sharks, and coral reefs worldwide. It is a broad incumbent operating overlapping capabilities (marine species, fisheries, policy advocacy) but at far greater scale and geographic breadth than BRT.

Direct peers

• Project Seahorse: Project Seahorse is an international marine conservation organization focused on seahorses and their habitats. It is a direct peer in marine species conservation and works with BRT as a strategic partner on marine research and conservation initiatives.
• Project Seagrass: Project Seagrass is an international seagrass research and conservation organization. It is a direct programmatic peer to BRT's Seagrass and Climate Change Programme, working with BRT on island-wide monitoring of Sri Lanka's seagrass meadows.
• Manta Trust: Manta Trust is an international marine conservation organization focused on manta and devil rays. It is a direct programmatic peer to BRT, sharing species focus (manta and devil rays are elasmobranchs), scientific monitoring methodology, and CITES-adjacent advocacy — and is also an active BRT collaborator.

Others

• Marine Stewardship Council: MSC is a global fisheries certification and standards body focused on sustainable fishing and seafood traceability. It is an adjacent standards and enabling organization whose work influences the same fisheries and CITES-trade dynamics that BRT's research and policy work targets.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/BlueResources
• Instagraminstagram.com/blueresources
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/blue-resources

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Blue Resources Trust (brt)