Welcome to Aqua Ecology — a living movement and practice that reimagines our relationship with water, fish, and the communities who depend on them.
Aqua Ecology is more than a field of study. It is a powerful, people-centered approach to aquatic food systems that blends traditional ecological wisdom with modern rights-based thinking. Rooted in the realities of coastal, lagoon, and inland fishing communities — especially in Sri Lanka — it stands for food sovereignty: the right of people to decide what they grow and harvest, to control their land and waters, and to nourish their families and cultures through ecologically sound, dignified livelihoods.At its heart, Aqua Ecology recognizes that healthy oceans, lagoons, mangroves, coral reefs, seagrass beds, wetlands, and traditional tank cascade systems are not resources to be exploited — they are living commons that sustain life. We work to protect these delicate ecosystems while reviving the time-honored knowledge of fishers who have read the tides, seasons, and migrations for generations.

old faithful seen in the upper geyser basin at yellowstone national park in wyoming

Our Vision

We envision a world where small-scale fishing communities — particularly women and youth — thrive as stewards of their waters. Where local food comes first. Where technology serves people and nature rather than corporate profit. And where the Blue Economy and industrial models that displace communities and destroy habitats are replaced by ecological democracy: decisions made by those who live closest to the water.

“Without sound conservation… fisheries will quickly become depleted”

— Sigmar Gabriel

What we stand for

Community power and commons governance — Supporting Community-Based Fisheries Management, Lagoon User Committees, and the revival of ancient tank systems so that those who depend on the water shape its future.

Traditional knowledge & low-impact practices — Honoring fisher wisdom on breeding cycles, seasonal patterns, and selective fishing methods that protect biodiversity.

Gender justice and youth leadership — Ensuring women’s invisible labor in post-harvest and household food systems is recognized and that young people become active leaders, researchers, and custodians of aquatic ecosystems.

Rights and resistance — Defending environmental rights, customary tenure, and the human right to food while challenging ocean grabbing, privatization, destructive industrial fishing, and risky technologies like GMOs in aquaculture.

Holistic ecosystems thinking — Connecting rivers, lagoons, coasts, and inland waters into one living system that must be protected together.

Aqua Ecology concept is seed planted in the mind of “Mr Herman Kumara” ( the General secretary of “World forum of fisher people”) grew out of years of close works with fishing communities around the globe, activists, and researchers, including the curriculum developed by NAFSO ( National fisheries solidarity movement ) with the World Forum of Fisher Peoples (WFFP). It offers both a deep critique of extractive development and a practical, hopeful pathway forward — through participatory mapping, legal literacy, intergenerational learning, and collective action.
Whether you are a fisher, a young activist, a policymaker, a researcher, or someone who simply cares about the future of our waters and the people who depend on them, you are part of this story.

Clean water. Healthy food. Strong communities. Ecological justice.

This is Aqua Ecology.
Join us in protecting our waters, reclaiming our commons, and building food sovereignty from the ground — or rather, from the water — up.
Welcome to the movement.