Explore the ocean floor is more than a scientific ambition, it is a global necessity. In this episode of How to Protect the Ocean, Andrew Lewin speaks with Tim Kearns, Executive Director of Map the Gaps, about the upcoming Ocean Floor Explorer conference in Victoria, BC. They discuss why mapping the seabed is vital for science, conservation, and society, while uncovering how challenges like funding and technology can be turned into opportunities for global collaboration.

Mapping initiatives are not only about science but also about storytelling, communication, and inspiring action. Andrew and Tim highlight how diverse communities can play a role, from students and researchers to policymakers and entrepreneurs. The conversation explores how events like this conference bring people together to tackle some of the biggest challenges in deep-sea exploration while building networks that fuel long-term solutions.

Find out more about the conference: https://www.oceanfloorexplore.org/ 
Register for the conference: https://www.oceanfloorexplore.org/register

Fighting overfishing with AI is transforming how we protect the ocean. A new study revealed that nearly half of all coastal marine protected areas (MPAs) showed fishing vessel presence, with many ships operating “dark” without AIS tracking. This means that even in places meant to be safe havens for biodiversity, industrial fishing has been creeping in unnoticed.

Satellites and artificial intelligence are changing that reality. By detecting untracked vessels and guiding patrols, this technology is already leading to arrests in Gabon, better enforcement in Palau, transparency in Chile, and effective oversight in the UK Blue Belt program. In this episode, I’ll break down the science behind the study, the risks remote MPAs face, and the real-world success stories that give us hope.

Indigenous relationships with the ocean reveal powerful ways of understanding stewardship, culture, and conservation. This episode highlights how Indigenous communities have long held knowledge that connects people with marine ecosystems, guiding sustainable practices and deep respect for biodiversity.

Indigenous relationships are also about resilience, as communities navigate challenges like climate change, resource extraction, and policy that often ignores traditional voices. By listening to these stories, we see how honoring Indigenous knowledge strengthens conservation efforts and creates opportunities for partnerships rooted in respect and reciprocity.

Indigenous relationships remind us that conservation is not just about science; it is about people, stories, and traditions that teach us how to protect the ocean for future generations.

Ocean Networks Canada: https://www.oceannetworks.ca/

Fisheries subsidies are at the heart of one of the most important global trade agreements for the ocean. In this episode, I sit down with Dan Skeritt to break down the World Trade Organization’s new Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies, discuss why it matters, and explore its implications for countries around the world. We explore how harmful subsidies have fueled overfishing, why some countries still haven’t ratified the deal, and how this agreement could shift billions of dollars toward sustainability.

Fisheries subsidies remain a complex and contentious issue, but this conversation provides clarity and perspective from someone who has followed the negotiations closely. Dan offers insider insights into what’s in the agreement, where the gaps remain, and how developing nations can be supported to meet their commitments. If you care about the future of ocean governance, sustainable fisheries, and global cooperation, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

Ocean Book you need to read introduces listeners to Sea Change by Amanda Leland, a powerful and hopeful exploration of how individuals and communities can unite to protect our oceans. Amanda draws from her expertise and experience to highlight the urgency of tackling climate change, overfishing, and pollution, while also showcasing the innovative solutions already underway.

Ocean conservation is not only about science, it is about people taking action. In this episode, Amanda shares inspiring stories of collaboration and resilience that prove change is possible. From grassroots initiatives to global policy shifts, Sea Change reveals how the choices we make today will shape the oceans of tomorrow.

Buy the book: https://www.edf.org/sea-change

Great white shark DNA is one of the most puzzling mysteries in marine biology. Recent research has revealed that despite being one species, great whites have split into three distinct genetic groups across the globe. What’s even stranger: their nuclear DNA and mitochondrial DNA tell conflicting stories, leaving scientists scratching their heads.

Shark philopatry—the tendency of females to return to their birthplace to give birth—adds another layer to this mystery. While philopatry has been well documented in species like lemon sharks and blacktip sharks, great whites show patterns that don’t neatly fit the rules. This episode unpacks how philopatry and DNA research intersect, why sharks defy easy explanations, and how these puzzles matter for conservation.

Shark conservation depends on solving these mysteries. If different populations are genetically distinct, protecting one region isn’t enough. By understanding how sharks move, breed, and adapt, we can build stronger policies, create better marine protected areas, and ensure these apex predators survive in a rapidly changing ocean.

Link to article: https://www.sciencealert.com/the-dna-of-great-white-sharks-defies-explanation-heres-why?utm_source=chatgpt.com

Advocacy for scientists is a skill that can transform how research impacts the real world. In this episode of How to Protect the Ocean, host Andrew Lewin reflects on an article by Melissa Varga from the Union of Concerned Scientists that encourages scientists to step into advocacy roles. Andrew shares why many researchers hesitate to speak out, the cultural challenges within academia, and how advocacy can be integrated into a science career without sacrificing credibility.

Ocean conservation also depends on people outside the scientific community. Andrew emphasizes that anyone, scientist or not, can play a role in advocating for the ocean. From joining local campaigns to supporting policy initiatives, small steps build a movement that strengthens the voice for conservation. This episode highlights how advocacy can feel intimidating at first but ultimately becomes a natural extension of caring for the ocean.

Website: 

https://blog.ucs.org/melissa-varga/new-to-advocacy-3-tips-for-early-career-scientists/

Sustainable fashion is more than a trend, it is a movement that connects what we wear to the health of our planet. In this episode, Andrew Lewin speaks with Courtney Barriger, CEO of Holding Court Inc., about how clothing design can reduce waste, prevent microplastic pollution, and empower people to make responsible choices. The discussion reveals the hidden costs of fast fashion, from synthetic fibers shedding microplastics into waterways to the massive environmental toll of textile waste.

Ocean protection is at the heart of this conversation. Courtney shares her journey of creating stylish, environmentally conscious fashion that looks good while doing good. She explains why rethinking our clothing habits can help reduce plastic pollution and highlights innovative solutions in textile production. If you’ve ever wondered whether your wardrobe impacts the ocean, this episode will show you how fashion choices can truly protect marine life.

Website: https://holdingcourtinc.com/

Terracycle is proving that almost anything can be recycled, from cigarette butts to ocean plastics, transforming how the world thinks about waste. In this episode of How to Protect the Ocean, Andrew Lewin speaks with Tom Szaky, the founder and CEO of TerraCycle, to explore how his company is creating global recycling programs that redefine sustainability and consumer responsibility.

TerraCycle has become a leader in connecting corporations and individuals to solutions that keep waste out of landfills and oceans. This conversation dives into the economics of recycling, why certain materials are left behind, how microplastics can be repurposed, and what it takes to shift both corporate and consumer behavior. By the end, you’ll see why recycling is not just about sorting bins but about reimagining the value of our waste.

Terracycle Website: https://www.terracycle.com/

Shark Meat Fed To Students in Brazil’s public institutions has sparked outrage after Mongabay uncovered thousands of tons of mislabeled shark meat, including endangered species like angelsharks, being served in schools, hospitals, prisons, and elderly care centers. Labeled as “cação” or “angel fish,” these meals were consumed by thousands of unsuspecting Brazilians, raising urgent concerns for both public health and ocean conservation.

Shark meat in Brazil carries dangerous risks due to high levels of mercury and arsenic that accumulate in these apex predators. Scientists warn that children and vulnerable populations are especially at risk, while conservationists highlight the devastating impact on shark populations that have already declined 71% in open oceans. Lawmakers are calling for hearings, industries are pushing back, and the global conservation community is debating how to respond. This episode investigates how a school lunch scandal reveals the larger crisis of food security, seafood mislabeling, and biodiversity loss.

Mongabay articles:
https://news.mongabay.com/short-article/2025/08/brazil-serves-potentially-contaminated-shark-meat-to-children-in-public-schools/

https://news.mongabay.com/custom-story/2025/08/revealed-brazilian-state-buys-endangered-angelsharks-for-school-lunches/

https://news.mongabay.com/short-article/2025/08/brazils-shark-meat-problem/

https://news.mongabay.com/short-article/2025/08/brazil-cities-order-endangered-angelshark-meat-despite-fishing-ban/

https://news.mongabay.com/short-article/2025/08/brazil-cities-vow-to-stop-buying-threatened-shark-meat-after-mongabay-probe/

https://news.mongabay.com/2025/08/mongabay-shark-meat-expose-sparks-call-for-hearing-and-industry-debate/

Oceana, working to protect endangered species, is at the heart of this powerful episode featuring Tara Brock, an environmental lawyer advocating for ocean life. Tara unpacks how the Endangered Species Act is used to protect humpback whales and sea turtles, and how legal tools like this remain essential to ocean conservation. As threats like ship strikes, climate change, and bycatch continue to rise, Tara explains why this legislation is still one of the strongest protections we have—and how it’s enforced.

Throughout the episode, we explore Oceana’s litigation strategies, real-world wins in protecting marine life, and the ways the law intersects with fisheries, policy, and public engagement. Tara’s stories and insights offer a clear call to action: the ocean needs legal defenders, and everyone has a role to play in protecting it. If you care about protecting species on the brink, this conversation will inform and inspire you.

Oceana's Website: https://usa.oceana.org/