Kumar is a marine researcher and scuba diver from an indigenous fishing community in Kerala. He holds a B.Tech in Biotechnology from Anna University and an MSc in Marine Biotechnology from the University of Stirling as a UK Chevening Scholar. His work focuses on integrating traditional ecological knowledge with marine conservation and fisheries management. He has worked with the University of Sussex, MSSRF, and Friends of Marine Life, documenting seabed ecosystems and marine biodiversity. As a founding member of the Coastal Students Cultural Forum, he promotes ocean literacy among coastal youth. He has also contributed to Radio Kadal, a community radio for fishers and the UN Ocean Literacy Programme. Kumar received the Emily B. Shane Award (2022) from the Society of Marine Mammalogy for his work on cetacean conservation with local fishers. Currently, he is associated with the Dakshin Foundation’s Sustainable Fisheries programme in Lakshadweep, which fosters participatory fisheries management.

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