Today's episode takes us down to the Antarctic waters of the Weddell Sea, where a recent study revealed a loss in benthos abundance occurred over the past 30 years...and not because of the reasons that you think. 

Link To Article: https://www.awi.de/en/about-us/service/press/press-release/benthos-in-the-antarctic-weddell-sea-in-decline.html

Do you think the benthos will increase since the rapid decrease of the sea ice over the past 6 years? Share your hypothesis in the Speak Up For Blue Facebook Group: http://www.speakupforblue.com/group.

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Marine Conservation Happy Hour
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Madame Curiosity
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ConCiencia Azul:
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Dugongs & Seadragons:
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Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2lV6THt

Environmental Studies & Sciences
Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/2lx86oh
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Marine Mammal Science:
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Projects For Wildlife Podcast:
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Ocean Science Radio
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Members of the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR) met to discuss a number of marine topics for managing the Antarctic. Unfortunately, a Marine Protected Area that would protect 1 million square kilometres of the East Antarctic was not agreed upon because some member nations did not agree with the lack of a research monitoring plan (which is normally implemented after the designation of an MPA).

Listen to the episode for more information.

Link to the article mentioned in this episode:

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/nov/02/antarctic-marine-park-conservationists-frustrated-after-protection-bid-fails-for-eight-time?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other

Do you think the MPA will be implemented soon? Share your thoughts in the Speak Up For Blue Facebook Group: http://www.speakupforblue.com/group.

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

Speak Up For Blue Instagram

Speak Up For Blue Twitter

Check out the Shows on the Speak Up For Blue Network:

Marine Conservation Happy Hour
Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/2k4ZB3x
Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2kkEElk

ConCiencia Azul:
Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/2k6XPio
Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2k4ZMMf

Dugongs & Seadragons:
Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/2lB9Blv
Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2lV6THt

Environmental Studies & Sciences
Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/2lx86oh
Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2lG8LUh

Marine Mammal Science:
Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/2k5pTCI
Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2k1YyRL

Dr. Andrew Wright joins us on a special episode today as we recorded this interview about his field work in Antarctica while he was still in ANTARCTICA!!!!

Andrew is working with on a team of scientists to gather information on fish-eating Orcas that frequent the Ross Sea as part of a monitoring program for the Ross Sea MPA. 

Andrew and I discuss the field work that involved great encounters with Orcas, Emperor Penguins and Seals, but we also discussed the challenges that the team faced while working in such a tough environment. 

Take a listen to find out about Andrew's experience in Antarctica and what an Orca gave the principle investigator. 

Do you have questions for Andrew? Ask them in our Facebook Group: http://www.speakupforblue.com/group.

Want to get started on living for a better Ocean? Sign up for the Grove Collaborative and get a free gift: http://www.speakupforblue.com/goocean. 

When you think of using satellite imagery for anything, one tends to think of spies using imagery to gather information on ones enemy to get the upper hand; however, that is not the case for Dr. Michelle LaRue. In fact, Michelle des quite the opposite. She studies emperor penguins and Wedell seals in the Antarctic through the eyes of Satellite Imagery to gather information and learn how the animals' population moves across large scales and counts the number of colonies by monitoring the patches of guano stains (yes, penguin poop!). In contrast to spies, Michelle loves to share her research.

Michelle is an active science communicator on Twitter and on Facebook where she posts contest such as "Cougar or Not?" every Friday via her Twitter feed. She also engages other social media users who tend to post "not so appropriate things" about women in science to raise more awareness that women should be treated equal in science and the workplace.

Michelle is pushing the boundaries of science by studying population dynamics of iconic species through satellite imagery. As a fellow GIS (digital mapping) and Remote Sensing ecologist, I am highly envious of her work because she gets to study the species that many people want to study from Minnesota! She still takes the odd trip to Antarctica, but for most of the year, she lives in Minnesota where she watches penguin and seals go about their activities throughout the year and answers some basic, but important questions that will help better manage each species. 

Do you want to work in a career in Marine Conservation like Michelle

Connect with me andrew@speakupforblue.com

You can also connect with me to find out how you can live for a better Ocean by using Arbonne health and wellness products that are healthy for you and the Ocean. Contact me andrew@speakupforblue.com

You can also support this podcast by contribution to our Patreon Campaign

Enjoy the podcast with Dr. Michelle LaRue