I list off the most important stories in Ocean Science and Conservation that occurred in 2015. There were a number of stories that could compete with the ones I chose, but this is my show, so I get to choose :-)! Support the Podcast: http://www.speakupforblue.com/patreon Shop for the Ocean: http://www.speakupforblue.com/shop 10 Ocean Tips to Conserve the Ocean: http://www.speakupforblue.com/wordpress/sufb_optinpdf Show Notes: http://www.speakupforblue.com/session81

Since there are only 3 more days left in 2015, I thought I would dedicate this episode to list the episodes you liked most in 2015. I list the top 5 episodes and I hope there are more in 2016. What was your favourite SUFB episode in 2015? Support the Podcast: http://www.speakupforblue.com/patreon Shop for the Ocean: http://www.speakupforblue.com/shop 10 Ocean Tips to Conserve the Ocean: http://www.speakupforblue.com/wordpress/sufb_optinpdf Show Notes: http://www.speakupforblue.com/session80

I go on a bit of a rant about constantly seeing videos of people feeding animals in the wild. There are 3 things wrong with feeding wild animals that I describe in this episode. Support the Podcast: http://www.speakupforblue.com/patreon Shop for the Ocean: http://www.speakupforblue.com/shop 10 Ocean Tips to Conserve the Ocean: http://www.speakupforblue.com/wordpress/sufb_optinpdf Show Notes: http://www.speakupforblue.com/session79

There is a bit of a controversy surrounding the amount of coral decline in the Indo-Pacific, which holds 75% of the coral species in the world. A research paper by John Bruno and Elizabeth Selig used quantitative methods to show that coral cover has declined 21% over the past 23 years. Listen to the podcast to find out more. Support the Podcast: http://www.speakupforblue.com/patreon Shop for the Ocean: http://www.speakupforblue.com/shop 10 Ocean Tips to Conserve the Ocean: http://www.speakupforblue.com/wordpress/sufb_optinpdf Show Notes: http://www.speakupforblue.com/session78

The California Sea Lion is an iconic species with a population that stretches from South Alaska to Central Mexico. There are 5 genetically different populations stocks within this range. The California Sea Lion is a highly intelligent species and is the subject of our Species Tuesday profile. Have a listen! Support the Podcast: http://www.speakupforblue.com/patreon Shop for the Ocean: http://www.speakupforblue.com/shop 10 Ocean Tips to Conserve the Ocean: http://www.speakupforblue.com/wordpress/sufb_optinpdf Show Notes: http://www.speakupforblue.com/session77

California has been in a severe drought for the past 4 years and they had to conserve water in the meantime. However, a growing population and increasing climate change impacts makes things more challenging. So the government of California is turning to the Ocean to solve their water needs. The problem is that in doing so, the consequences would be to increase carbon emissions and potentially impairing ocean wildlife. So what is a state to do? Listen to the podcast to find out. Support the Podcast: http://www.speakupforblue.com/patreon Shop for the Ocean: http://www.speakupforblue.com/shop 10 Ocean Tips to Conserve the Ocean: http://www.speakupforblue.com/wordpress/sufb_optinpdf Show Notes: http://www.speakupforblue.com/session76

Dr. Nathan Robinson joins us on the program this week where we talk about a plastic fork that he pulled out of a sea turtle's nose; methane gas leaking into the air increasing our climate change emissions; and, the rise of citizen science for the oceans in 2015. Support the Podcast: http://www.speakupforblue.com/patreon Shop for the Ocean: http://www.speakupforblue.com/shop 10 Ocean Tips to Conserve the Ocean: http://www.speakupforblue.com/wordpress/sufb_optinpdf Show Notes: http://www.speakupforblue.com/session75

Research Thursday: This week's study compares marine biodiversity among 5 regions within South America. The authors noticed some marked differences among the regions including capacity to survey, funding, scientific expertise, which resulted in differences in biodiversity. Listen to the episode to find out why. Support the Podcast: http://www.speakupforblue.com/patreon Shop for the Ocean: http://www.speakupforblue.com/shop 10 Ocean Tips to Conserve the Ocean: http://www.speakupforblue.com/wordpress/sufb_optinpdf Show Notes: http://www.speakupforblue.com/session74

I am joined by the Co-Founder of the Tangaroa Blue Foundation, Heidi Taylor, who grew an loosely organized beach clean up crew into a tight knit, lean, mean Marine Debris Clean Up and Analysis team. Heidi talks about all of the wonderful things her organization does include help change policy for a cleaner ocean. Support the Podcast: http://www.speakupforblue.com/patreon Shop for the Ocean: http://www.speakupforblue.com/shop 10 Ocean Tips to Conserve the Ocean: http://www.speakupforblue.com/wordpress/sufb_optinpdf Show Notes: http://www.speakupforblue.com/session73

Hector's dolphin is the smallest cetacean but has a very big battle ahed of it. They are considered endangered with population is less than 100. Endemic to New Zealand, the Hector's dolphin is protected in a number of Marine Protected Areas from gill nets and trawl fishing; however, it doesn't seem to be enough. Listen to the podcast to find out why. Support the Podcast: http://www.speakupforblue.com/patreon Shop for the Ocean: http://www.speakupforblue.com/shop 10 Ocean Tips to Conserve the Ocean: http://www.speakupforblue.com/wordpress/sufb_optinpdf Show Notes: http://www.speakupforblue.com/session72

It almost seemed impossible to believe, but 195 countries got together to discuss how to reduce climate change impacts through reduction of carbon emissions. In today's episode, I go over the major points of the agreement. Spoil alert, it's not perfect, but it's a great start. Action will be the big variable in the end. Shop for the Ocean: http://www.speakupforblue.com/shop 10 Ocean Tips to Conserve the Ocean: http://www.speakupforblue.com/wordpress/sufb_optinpdf Show Notes: http://www.speakupforblue.com/session71

Nathan and I talk about some more popular news this week. The topics discussed on this episode: Oceans Parks catching up to National Parks; Reduce meat consumption to reduce climate change impacts; Japan joins security council and other countries are angry because of their whaling activity; and, Great Whites might be changing where they like to eat, sleep, and other stuff. Shop for the Ocean: http://www.speakupforblue.com/shop 10 Ocean Tips to Conserve the Ocean: http://www.speakupforblue.com/wordpress/sufb_optinpdf Show Notes: http://www.speakupforblue.com/session70

Welcome to the new "Research Thursdays", where I discuss a specific research study published in a journal. This week's study looks at a study looking for insights of the Yellowfin Tuna in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean to determine whethere the populations are genetically different than the population in Papua New Guinea. Listen to the episode to find out the results. Shop for the Ocean: http://www.speakupforblue.com/shop 10 Ocean Tips to Conserve the Ocean: http://www.speakupforblue.com/wordpress/sufb_optinpdf Show Notes: http://www.speakupforblue.com/session69

The Deep Sea Relative of the jellyfish, Eranna, uses a red bioluminescent light to attract fish into their stinging tentacles. The animal's use of red light in the deep sea is important because researchers have assumed deep sea animals cannot sea red light. Researchers assume fish are lured to the deep sea by this red light in hopes of food and meet their fate instead. Shop for the Ocean: http://www.speakupforblue.com/shop 10 Ocean Tips to Conserve the Ocean: http://www.speakupforblue.com/wordpress/sufb_optinpdf Show Notes: http://www.speakupforblue.com/session68

COP 21 is in full effect and the talks are happening. Canada jut committed to 1.5 C below Pre-industrial levels. However, action will be the key to real change and it is needed to make sure coral reefs survive and, in turn, the many people who depend on the protection and food they create. Shop for the Ocean: http://www.speakupforblue.com/shop 10 Ocean Tips to Conserve the Ocean: http://www.speakupforblue.com/wordpress/sufb_optinpdf Show Notes: http://www.speakupforblue.com/session67

Researchers found over 300 Cetaceans dead in a remote area of Chile. National Geographic and researchers conducted a study to find out why the animals died. No markings were found on sei whales indicating the animals could have died from a virus or "red tide." Listen to the episode to find out more. Shop for the Ocean: http://www.speakupforblue.com/shop 10 Ocean Tips to Conserve the Ocean: http://www.speakupforblue.com/wordpress/sufb_optinpdf Show Notes: http://www.speakupforblue.com/session66

I'm joined with Nathan Johnson to discuss all the news surrounding the climate change talks in Paris and what it will mean for action to live for a better ocean. Shop for the Ocean: http://www.speakupforblue.com/shop 10 Ocean Tips to Conserve the Ocean: http://www.speakupforblue.com/wordpress/sufb_optinpdf Show Notes: http://www.speakupforblue.com/session65

Oceans are not on the COP21 agenda and that is a shame, according to Dr. Sylvia Earle who is attending the Climate Change Talks in Paris to ensure the leaders of over 180 countries understand how climate change is affecting the Ocean. Shop for the Ocean: http://www.speakupforblue.com/shop 10 Ocean Tips to Conserve the Ocean: http://www.speakupforblue.com/wordpress/sufb_optinpdf Show Notes: http://www.speakupforblue.com/session64

Pro Surfer James Pribram and his organization, Eco Warrior, recruited 63 volunteers to clean up marine debris from creeks and rivers in specific areas in California before the debris had a chance to reach the Ocean. Shop for the Ocean: http://www.speakupforblue.com/shop 10 Ocean Tips to Conserve the Ocean: http://www.speakupforblue.com/wordpress/sufb_optinpdf Show Notes: http://www.speakupforblue.com/session63

The pyrosome is a cool animal colony made up of physically linked zooids that form a streamlined cone-shape structure with a jet propelled movement. Shop for the Ocean: http://www.speakupforblue.com/shop 10 Ocean Tips to Conserve the Ocean: http://www.speakupforblue.com/wordpress/sufb_optinpdf Show Notes: http://www.speakupforblue.com/session62