Working towards a single-use plastic-free life is not the easiest thing in the world. Plastic is engrained in our lives to the point where we don't even think about it. Over the past few years, my wife and I have made it a point to reduce our single-use plastic items in our house. 

This episode details a couple of events that made me think further of the way we use plastics inside and outside of our house.

How are you reducing your single-use plastics? Share your thoughts in the Speak Up For Blue Facebook Group: http://www.speakupforblue.com/group.

Want to be more eco-friendly? Buy certified eco-friendly products from our affiliate partner the Grove Collaborative: http://www.speakupforblue.com/goocean.

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A boat sank off the coast of British Columbia in 2016 and spilled 110,000 liters of heavy oils and fuel that washed up along the coast of Indigenous Lands. The Indigenous community used to harvest 25 marine species, but they are not been able to harvest any since the fuel and oil spill. 

The Texas-based company that owned the ship was fined $3 million but was not required to do an impact assessment. 

Find out more about the issue by listening to the episode.

What are your thoughts on government response times to oil spills? Share your thoughts in the Facebook Group: http://www.speakupforblue.com/group.

Want to be more eco-friendly? Buy certified eco-friendly products from our affiliate partner the Grove Collaborative: http://www.speakupforblue.com/goocean.

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Discovery's Shark Week is back for 2019. I conduct my annual review of the previews of Shark Week to show you what I am excited about. 

What do you think of the line up this year? Share your thoughts in the Facebook Group: http://www.speakupforblue.com/group.

Want to be more eco-friendly? Buy certified eco-friendly products from our affiliate partner the Grove Collaborative: http://www.speakupforblue.com/goocean.

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I saw a post about an article on overfishing sharks in the high seas, where the authors provided evidence on the reasons why we need Marine Protected Areas in the High Seas. 

Listen to the episode to find out what the High Seas are and why Marine Protected Areas will be so hard to manage/enforce in the future.

What are your thoughts on Marine Protected Areas on the High Seas? Share your thoughts in the Speak Up For Blue Facebook Group: http://www.speakupforblue.com/group.

Want to be more eco-friendly? Buy certified eco-friendly products from our affiliate partner the Grove Collaborative: http://www.speakupforblue.com/goocean.

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There is a headline about Climate Change going around telling people that the world is going to end in 18 months nations don't start taking action to fight Climate Change. The headline is: "Climate Change: 12 years to save the planet? Make that 18 months."

Headlines that have a doomsday message can manipulate what the article is actually trying to get across and gove fuel to the opposition to argue that there are Climate Change Alarmists.

Take a listen to the episode for more details.

What do you think about these headlines? Share your thoughts in the Speak Up For Blue Facebook Group: http://www.speakupforblue.com/group.

Want to be more eco-friendly? Buy certified eco-friendly products from our affiliate partner the Grove Collaborative: http://www.speakupforblue.com/goocean.

Check out the new Speak Up For The Ocean Blue Podcast App: http://www.speakupforblue.com/app.

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I had the pleasure of speaking with Dr. Edie Widder, Deep Sea Ecologist and CEO/Founder of ORCA (Ocean Research And Conservation Association Inc), to discuss how her non-profit organization collects coastal and marine data and uses the results to inform communities on how they can conserve their coastline (and neighborhoods better. 

This approach seems like common sense; however, it is unique these days, especially with non-profit organizations. 

Edie and I also discuss two special events that happened while she was out at sea, once in 2012 and once last month. Listened to the episode to find out more.

Would you like to see more Non-Profits like Team ORCA? Share your thoughts in the Speak Up For Blue Facebook Group: http://www.speakupforblue.com/group.

Want to be more eco-friendly? Buy certified eco-friendly products from our affiliate partner the Grove Collaborative: http://www.speakupforblue.com/goocean.

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Have you ever heard of mudflats, salt marshes, mangrove forests, seagrass beds, and coral reefs? They are all habitats that can make or break your coastline. They are also known as Living Shorelines and they are being slowly added back to previously developed areas where the coastlines have been hardened by concrete walls or gravel.

Today's episode is dedicated to Living Shorelines and showing you the benefits of putting back natural areas. It's also a great introduction to the next episode where I speak with Dr. Edie Widder from Team ORCA, where we discuss how living shorelines can help Florida's coastline and algal problem.

Have you spoken to your local government about living shorelines? Share your experiences in the Speak Up For Blue Facebook Group: http://www.speakupforblue.com/group.

Want to be more eco-friendly? Buy certified eco-friendly products from our affiliate partner the Grove Collaborative: http://www.speakupforblue.com/goocean.

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There is a huge battle happening in Hawaii right now between the State Government and Native Hawaiians. The peaceful battle is over the construction of the largest telescope (large than the Hubble Space Telescope) on the most sacred land in Hawaii. 

I discuss how science should not take priority over sacred cultural lands. Share your thoughts in the Speak Up For Blue Facebook Group: http://www.speakupforblue.com/group.

Want to be more eco-friendly? Buy certified eco-friendly products from our affiliate partner the Grove Collaborative: http://www.speakupforblue.com/goocean.

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A new species of shark has been discovered in the Gulf of Mexico by a team of researchers in 2010. The 5.5-inch American pocket shark was fully described in the researchers' article in the Zootaxa journal. 

I discuss the continued importance to explore the deep-sea as understanding this area could help human survival in the future.

Have you seen a bioluminescent shark like this before? Share your discovery in the Facebook Group: http://www.speakupforblue.com/group.

Want to be more eco-friendly? Buy certified eco-friendly products from our affiliate partner the Grove Collaborative: http://www.speakupforblue.com/goocean.

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This episode is the second part of my interview with Dr. Nathan Robinson who was one of the two marine scientists who video recorded the second only live recording of a live Deep Sea Giant Squid EVER!!!

Nathan discusses the events surrounding and during the analysis of the video. It's quite the story, especially how he describes how he felt when he first saw the footage after 100 hours of dull video viewing nothing, but dark deep-sea.

YouTube links:

Sea Turtle With Straw: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4wH878t78bw

Sea Turtle With Fork: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VRiTABRQOjk

Nathan's YouTube Channel:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBQBDrSME4ohP7gHFCp5j6w

What do you think of the discovery? Share your thoughts in the Speak Up For Blue Facebook Group: http://www.speakupforblue.com/group.

Want to be more eco-friendly? Buy certified eco-friendly products from our affiliate partner the Grove Collaborative: http://www.speakupforblue.com/goocean.

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You may remember Nathan being on the podcast a few years ago as he described the event that spearheaded the plastic straw band movement. Nathan was the field biologist who removed the straw that was stuck in the Sea Turtle's nose. The virality of the video made him realize the power of science communication as that video continues to be THE video shown by multiple media outlets to make people aware of the problems of single-use plastic.

Four months later, Nathan emailed me another video where he removed a plastic fork from another Sea Turtle proving that the previous incident was not a one-off chance. 

I recently found out that Nathan was part of the research team that recorded for the second time only a live video of a giant squid in the deep sea. 

In Part 1 of the interview, Nathan and I discuss how science communication is important to him and how it can be used to create conservation opportunities.

YouTube links:

Sea Turtle With Straw: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4wH878t78bw

Sea Turtle With Fork: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VRiTABRQOjk

Nathan's YouTube Channel:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBQBDrSME4ohP7gHFCp5j6w

Do you Communicate Science? Share your work in the Speak Up For Blue Facebook Group: http://www.speakupforblue.com/group.

Want to be more eco-friendly? Buy certified eco-friendly products from our affiliate partner the Grove Collaborative: http://www.speakupforblue.com/goocean.

Check out the new Speak Up For The Ocean Blue Podcast App: http://www.speakupforblue.com/app.

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High Spring rains and phosphorus are predicted to cause a massive algal bloom in Lake Erie as well as in the Gulf of Mexico. 

Lake Erie has had a history of algal problems given that the agricultural industry surrounds the lake on both sides of the border and Western Lake Erie is very shallow giving way to warmer waters. Phosphorous that washes into the Lake from streams and rivers combined with the warmer waters is a great recipe for algal blooms. 

I talked about the harmful algal blooms in the Gulf of Mexico in past episodes that originates from the output of the Mississippi River.  

Algal blooms as large as the ones predicted in Lake Erie and the Gulf of Mexico can spell bad news for our fight against climate change. Find out why by listening to the show.

What actions are you taking to reduce your use of phosphorus? Share your strategies in the Speak Up For Blue Group: http://www.speakupforblue.com/group.

Want to be more eco-friendly? Buy certified eco-friendly products from our affiliate partner the Grove Collaborative: http://www.speakupforblue.com/goocean.

Check out the new Speak Up For The Ocean Blue Podcast App: http://www.speakupforblue.com/app.

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Three more Northern Right Whales have been spotted in the Gulf of St. Lawrence entangled in fishing gear. One whale has been freed by a team of whale stranding professionals. The other two whales have been spotted intermittently, but the weather conditions have not been great to attempt a disentanglement. 

In this episode, I talk about the plight of the Northern Right Whale and what governments and you can do to help save them from extinction.

Links to Whale Rescue Team:

Campobello Whale Rescue Team

Canadian Whale Institute

Donate To The Team

How do you think we can help Northern Right Whales? Share your thoughts in the Speak Up For Blue Facebook Group: http://www.speakupforblue.com/group.

Want to be more eco-friendly? Buy certified eco-friendly products from our affiliate partner the Grove Collaborative: http://www.speakupforblue.com/goocean.

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It's the answer to many people's question of who would win in a fight: an Orca or a Great White Shark? Over the past few years, researchers have been studying the influence of Orcas on the Great White population. It seems as though Orcas like to eat the livers of White Sharks.

Great White Sharks have been washing up on shore with their livers missing in South Africa; however, the who do it and how was a mystery until researchers came across the video in the article where the theory became realistic.  

How long do you think it was possible before Orcas figured out that the liver was so good for them? Share your thoughts in the Facebook Group: http://www.speakupforblue.com/group.

Want to be more eco-friendly? Buy certified eco-friendly products from our affiliate partner the Grove Collaborative: http://www.speakupforblue.com/goocean.

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Dr. Luiz Rocha found a new species of fairy wrasse, a fish species, in a remote area off of the coast of Madagascar. He asked his colleague YI-Kai Tea to confirm it was a new species to which he did and he named it after Black Panther. The full Latin name of the fish is Cirrhlabrus wakanda. 

The name was meant to be a reference to a pop culture movie because Tea wanted people to identify with the fish in order to conserve it. Conservation of new species is a little tricky. I describe why in the episode. Take a listen.

Do you think new Ocean species should be names after pop culture references? Share your thoughts in the Facebook Group: http://www.speakupforblue.com/group.

Want to be more eco-friendly? Buy certified eco-friendly products from our affiliate partner the Grove Collaborative: http://www.speakupforblue.com/goocean.

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A researcher named Victoria Herrman does most of her work in the Arctic. She wrote an article in the Guardian regarding her government citations that were disappearing. This is a HUGE issue that many scientists from around the world were hoping wouldn't happen...but here we are. 

What do you think we should do about getting access to these documents back? Share your thoughts in the Speak Up For Blue Facebook Group: http://www.speakupforblue.com/group.

Want to be more eco-friendly? Buy certified eco-friendly products from our affiliate partner the Grove Collaborative: http://www.speakupforblue.com/goocean.

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Japan is excited to start commercial whaling again as their three whaling ships set out to hunt Bryde's, minke, and sei whales. After Japan left the Internation Whaling Commission, it was excited to resume commercial whaling after 30 years without having to worry about the "research" tag, which apparently means that they could produce better quality meat?!

Take a listen to the episode for more details.

How long do you think the whaling will last before Japan says it should stop? Share your thoughts in the Facebook Group: http://www.speakupforblue.com/group.

Want to be more eco-friendly? Buy certified eco-friendly products from our affiliate partner the Grove Collaborative: http://www.speakupforblue.com/goocean.

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In 2018, there were 27 reported shark incidences that resulted in a shark bite in the US Atlantic Ocean and only 4 in the US Pacific Ocean (3 in Hawaii). Why is there such a difference in shark bites between the two Oceans? Take a listen to find out. 

Do you worry about shark bites when you go in the water? Share your thought in the Speak Up For Blue Facebook Group: http://www.speakuoforblue.com/group.

Want to be more eco-friendly? Buy certified eco-friendly products from our affiliate partner the Grove Collaborative: http://www.speakupforblue.com/goocean.

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The Government Of Canada has reported six Northern Right Whale Deaths in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Four of those deaths came in 48 hours. The Department of Transportation has announced a temporary reduction in ship speed in the area to avoid any future deaths. This action is the same action that the government took two years ago which seemed to work. So why did the government revert back to old ways? 

Do you think the speed should be reduced permanently (or seasonally)? Share your thoughts in the Facebook Group: http://www.speakupforblue.com/group.

Want to be more eco-friendly? Buy certified eco-friendly products from our affiliate partner the Grove Collaborative: http://www.speakupforblue.com/goocean.

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Are you a recent Marine Conservation graduate who is struggling to find a job? Join the rest of us!!! I've been there! The mental and emotional stress of not finding a job today is excruciating. Many graduates have been searching for more than 3 years after graduating with little success.

Is it time to think of a new way we can do Marine Conservationists even if we are not working in the field or we decide to become an entrepreneur?

Share your thoughts in the Speak Up For Blue Facebook Group: http://www.speakupforblue.com/group.

Want to be more eco-friendly? Buy certified eco-friendly products from our affiliate partner the Grove Collaborative: http://www.speakupforblue.com/goocean.

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I had a great conversation with a friend of mine on the weekend, where we discussed politics (I know, I know...it's a taboo topic for most people to discuss politics over drinks, especially between two people who have different views). However, the conversation was really good. There was no arguing. No personal attacks. No one was trying to change their minds. It was just two people, who were discussing their political views and events surrounding those views. 

I often get into conversations, where people have a different view as mine surrounding Marine Conservation. I tell you how I approach the conversation about Marine Conservation during this episode.

Take a listen.

Do you agree with my approach? Share your thoughts in the Speak Up For Blue Facebook Group: http://www.speeakupforblue.com/group.

Want to be more eco-friendly? Buy certified eco-friendly products from our affiliate partner the Grove Collaborative: http://www.speakupforblue.com/goocean.

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Governments all around the world have made great promises to reduce their impact on Climate Change; however, actions have not been taken towards greenhouse gas reductions that are necessary. For example, the Canadian Government has implemented a Carbon Tax while buying a pipeline at the same time. The US Government is back in the Climate Denial phase. Citizens from these nations are wondering what the hold up is in acting to reduce climate change. 

Do you think any industry should have lobbyists involved in Climate Talks? Share your thoughts in the Speak Up For Blue Facebook Group: http://www.speakupforblue.com/group.

Want to be more eco-friendly? Buy certified eco-friendly products from our affiliate partner the Grove Collaborative: http://www.speakupforblue.com/goocean.

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A new paper is out that studied numerous studies on the entanglements in fishing gear and single-use plastics of sharks and rays from around the world. The paper identified the specific animal and/or habitat characteristics that put sharks and rays at more risk. 

Take a listen to the episode for more information.

What would you do to stop the problem of ghost nets? Share your thoughts in the Speak Up For Blue Facebook Group: http://www.speakupforblue.com/group.

Want to be more eco-friendly? Buy certified eco-friendly products from our affiliate partner the Grove Collaborative: http://www.speakupforblue.com/goocean.

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There is big news on the Sargassum Belt and how Caribbean beaches are bombarded by tons of the seaweed as it is deposited onshore. I've witnessed it myself first hand and I've seen the reactions from tourists who are not happy to see trucks working 10 hours a day to remove the Sargassum from the beach, which they thought was supposed to be peaceful.

Ed Yong wrote a great article on the subject for the Atlantic and I covered it on this episode. Take a listen while you are on the go.

Would Sargassum on a beach prevent you from visiting beaches in the Caribbean? Share your thoughts in the Speak Up For Blue Facebook Group: http://www.speakupforblue.com/group.

Want to be more eco-friendly? Buy certified eco-friendly products from our affiliate partner the Grove Collaborative: http://www.speakupforblue.com/goocean.

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This episode is based on a great article that was written for Mongabay News. The article looks at a coastal town in the Philippines that has a booming ecotourism industry for whale shark viewing; however, the sightings have declined over the past few years and it is affecting the coastal town. Find out how by listening to the episode.

What do you think the town should do about their Ecotourism Industry? Share your thoughts in the Speak Up For Blue Facebook Group: http://www.speakupforblue.com/group.

Want to be more eco-friendly? Buy certified eco-friendly products from our affiliate partner the Grove Collaborative: http://www.speakupforblue.com/goocean.

Check out the new Speak Up For The Ocean Blue Podcast App: http://www.speakupforblue.com/app.

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Ed Yong wrote another great article on the evolution of intelligence in the Octopus. The Mollusc species got more intelligent as they lost their shells. They developed behavioral flexibility and camouflage. It's a great piece that you could read here, but don't forget to listen to the episode if you want the information on the go.

How would you test an Octopus Intelligence? Share your thoughts in the Speak Up For Blue Facebook Group: http://www.speakupforblue.com/group.

Want to be more eco-friendly? Buy certified eco-friendly products from our affiliate partner the Grove Collaborative: http://www.speakupforblue.com/goocean.

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There is a great podcast called "Commons" that is doing a series on how the Oil and Gas industry has influenced life and politics in Canada. The Commons' latest episode dives into the conspiracy that Conservative politicians have labeled anyone or organization that has foreign funding as eco-extremists trying to keep Canada's Energy landlocked.  It's an interesting time to be a Marine Conservationist, where information spewed by politicians, true or false, tends to dominate the narrative. 

Take a listen and get ready to be met by a $30 Million war room to attack anyone who speaks out against oil and gas to protect the environment. There are interesting times ahead.

Will this stop you from speaking out against the fossil fuel industry? Share your perspective in the Speak Up For Blue Facebook Group: http://www.speakupforblue.com/group.

Want to be more eco-friendly? Buy certified eco-friendly products from our affiliate partner the Grove Collaborative: http://www.speakupforblue.com/goocean.

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