Established in 2018, The Pearl Protectors seek to reduce plastic pollution and conserve the marine environment through youth engagement, volunteerism, awareness and advocacy.
[1] The Pearl Protectors is known for the launching of the 'Pearl Protector Approved' Accredited Standardisation Certificate[2] a certificate that for the first time recognises restaurants and food vendors in Sri Lanka that eliminate single-use plastic items based on three levels of commitments.
The project helps protect sea turtle eggs from illegal poachers.
[6] The Pearl Protectors produced a documentary on underwater plastic pollution.
[7] The Pearl Protectors advocates for policies to ban single-use plastic items,[8][9] maintains a volunteer platform, constructs a Christmas tree annually out of discarded plastic bottles accumulated from beaches and displays it at Wellawatte Beach to highlight single-use plastic pollution,[10] mobilizes volunteers to help cleanup efforts during maritime accidents like oil spills,[11] host educational events,[12] conducts school and public awareness sessions and workshops,[13][14] carries out beach cleanups,[15] conducts advocacy research,[16] advocates for Environmental Impact Assessments to be carried out for development projects and aquaculture in the coastal zone,[17][18] volunteers to rescue stranded marine life,[19] advocates against unethical fishing practices,[20] collaborates with AIESEC Sri Lanka [21] for youth-engagement in marine environmental protection and promotes upcycling.