Researcher Marine Biology, Shelfish Biology & Culture

Prof. Siavashanthini Kuganathan

Senior Professor (Chair) | Founder Head

Prof. Sivashanthini Kuganathan is a Senior Professor and the Chair of Fisheries at University of Jaffna. She served as the founding Head of the Department of Fisheries, playing a pivotal role in its development. Throughout her career, she secured and managed numerous research grants and received several awards in recognition of her contributions. She maintains an extensive record of research publications and supervised a significant number of undergraduate and postgraduate students.

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Research Interests

Fish Biology Fish Population Dynamics Fish Diversity Marine Planktons Molluscs Seaweeds Seagrasses

Skills & Expertise

Marine Biologist Fish Biology Fisheries Science Aquaculture Coastal & Marine Resource Management Northern Sri Lanka Fisheries & Aquatic Ecosystems

Academic Profile

Ph.D

PhD in Marine Biology

Annamalai University, Tamil Nadu, India

MSc

MSc in Shellfish Biology and Culture

University College of North Wales, Bangor, UK

BSc

BSc Hons in Zoology

University of Jaffna

Activities

2022–23

Expert consultation for the Mannar Wind Power Project

Outcome-based research, public discussions and community consultations

2021

Investigated massive accumulation of freshwater plants on the northern coast

Northern Province, Sri Lanka

2021

Identified and reported the phytoplankton causing a red tide at KKS beach

Kankesanthurai (KKS), Northern Sri Lanka

2021

Evaluated the impacts of COVID-19 on the Northern Province fisheries sector

March–April 2021

2017

Analysed red algal blooms at Ariyakulam

Ariyakulam, Sri Lanka

2014, 2016, 2022, 2026

Investigated the causes of massive fish deaths in Thondaimanaru Lagoon

Thondaimanaru Lagoon, Sri Lanka

Ongoing

President, Jaffna Science Association & Thondaimanaru Field Work Centre

Professional association leadership

Ongoing

Editorial and external examination service

For journals and universities in Sri Lanka and India

Ongoing

Resource person, trainer, keynote speaker and consultant

Fisheries, aquaculture and environmental management

Admin Roles

2022–Present

Senior Professor of Fisheries (Chair)

University of Jaffna

2009–2024

Head, Department of Fisheries

University of Jaffna

2013–Present

Chief Editor, Vingnanam Journal

University of Jaffna

2019–2023

Principal Investigator / Work Package Leader, NORLANKA BLUE Project

NORPART grant (NORPART-2018/10045)

2025–Present

Principal Investigator, BiMReN Twinning Research Grant

Sustaining Fisheries Ecosystem in the Palk Bay Region

Awards

2006

Workshop Grant, UGC (RPC/2005/5ii/01/UJA)

To conduct a workshop on Sustainable Fisheries

2006

Book Grant, National Science Foundation (WS/2006/03)

Publication support grant

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KORDI–UNU International Fellowship

Two-week training on passive air sampling and long-range transport of pollutants

2012

MoES, CSIR New Delhi & TNSCST Chennai Fellowship

Visiting fellowship, Government Arts College, Kumbakonam, Tamil Nadu, India; International Workshop on Fish Taxonomy (21–23 March 2012)

2012

SUSRED Award, National Science Foundation

For supervision of M.Phil "Population dynamics of Sepioteuthis lessoniana (Cephalopoda: Loliginidae) from the Jaffna Lagoon"

2014

SUSRED Award, National Science Foundation

For supervision of M.Phil "Reproductive characteristics of Scomberoides lysan (Pisces: Carangidae) from the waters around Jaffna Peninsula"

2014

SUSRED Award, National Science Foundation

For supervision of M.Phil "Lipid changes in relation to sexual maturity and spawning in Scomberoides lysan (Carangidae)"

2013

Book Grant, IUCN (MFF/98)

To publish "Sea Cucumber: Status and Culture Potential"

Membership

Life Member

Jaffna Science Association

Life Member

Sri Lanka Association for Fisheries and Aquatic Resources

Life Member

Sri Lanka Association for the Advancement of Sciences

Life Member

Wild Life Nature and Protection Society, Sri Lanka

Life Member

Network of Tropical Aquaculture and Fisheries Professionals

Life Member

Marine Biological Association of India

Life Member

Zoological Society of India

Life Member

Institute of Biology, Sri Lanka

Life Member

Asian Fisheries Society

Publications (7)

ORCID Profile Google Scholar ResearchGate Profile

2026

Biodiversity assessment and spatio-temporal dynamics of gastropods with 66 new records to Sri Lanka

Journal of Fisheries, 14(2), 142214 — Sivanantham, U., Sathyaruban, S., Gunaalan, K., Kuganathan, S.

2025

First report of Halimeda magnicuneata Verbruggen & Dumilag 2020 from the northern coast of Sri Lanka

Journal of Fisheries 13(3): 133401 — Anjalie, N.M.I., Krishnapillai, N., Kuganathan, S.

2024

Bioaccumulation of Cadmium in Muscle and Liver Tissues of Juvenile Yellowfin Tuna (Thunnus albacares) from the Indian Ocean

Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology, 113(1): 1–10 — Jayaweera, D.D., Gunawickrama, K.S., Evenset, A., Kuganathan, S.

2024

Initial examination of marine microplastics along Jaffna Peninsula's coastal stretch in the Palk Strait, northern Sri Lanka

Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 31(56): 65022–65033 — Gobiraj, S., Kuganathan, S., Grøsvik, B.E., Amarathunga, A.A.D.

2024

Efficiency of the experimental diet enriched with palmyrah (Borassus flabellifer L.) fruit pulp on growth, pigmentation, immune challenge, and breeding performance in the guppy (Poecilia reticulata)

Aquaculture Reports, 38: 102285 — Sathyaruban, S., Champuka Perera, G.S., Amarasinghe, D.H.J.M., Uluwaduge, D.I., Kuganathan, S.

2024

Effects of juvenile mortality on population dynamics of Penaeus semisulcatus: a case study from Sri Lanka

Fisheries Research, 274: 106991 — Ragavan, N., Kuganathan, S., Dissanayake, D.C.T.

2021

Reply to Hendawitharana et al., Comment on Arulananthan et al. — The status of the coral reef of the Jaffna Peninsula (northern Sri Lanka), with 36 coral species new to Sri Lanka confirmed by DNA barcoding

Oceans, 2: 509–529 — Arulananthan, A., Herath, V., Kuganathan, S., Upasantha, A., Harishchandra, A.

Teaching

Course

Principles of Fisheries