Bottom trawling is one of the most common fishing methods in the world, but what if it costs society more than it earns in profit?

In this episode of How to Protect the Ocean, we look at a recent study on bottom trawling in Europe that found the total societal costs can be far higher than the profits generated, in some cases up to 90 times higher. Much of that hidden cost comes from carbon released when heavy fishing gear scrapes across the seafloor.

Industrial fishing is not just about what ends up on your plate. It is also about public subsidies, damaged habitats, lost carbon storage, bycatch, and whether taxpayers are helping fund practices that harm the ocean.

Ocean conservation depends on asking a harder question: are we measuring seafood by market price alone, or by its full cost to society?

Ocean research helps us understand marine life, but what happens when the tools we use to study animals disturb the very creatures we are trying to protect? This episode looks at a powerful question in marine science: can we study the ocean without harming it?

Whale sharks and other marine animals are often studied using tools like tags, drones, boats, and tracking technology. These methods can reveal migration routes, behavior, and conservation needs, but they also raise important ethical questions about disturbance, stress, and the responsibility scientists have when working around wildlife.

Marine conservation is not just about what we study. It is also about how we study it. In this episode, Andrew breaks down why lower-impact research tools matter, how drones could help scientists observe some species with less interference, and why public pressure can play a role in making ocean science better.

Listen to the full episode.

Blue carbon could be one of the most powerful climate solutions we already have, so why is it still missing from so many climate plans? In this episode of How to Protect the Ocean, we look at how mangroves, seagrasses, salt marshes, and other coastal ecosystems store carbon, protect coastlines, and support ocean health.

Ocean climate solutions are often treated as secondary to land-based actions like planting trees, but coastal habitats can store carbon in sediments for long periods of time. The problem is that many countries still do not fully include blue carbon ecosystems in their climate strategies, even though protecting and restoring them could help reduce climate risk.

Blue economy action is not just about new technology or future innovation. It is also about funding, restoring, and protecting the natural systems that already work. The ocean is not separate from climate change. The ocean is climate.

Whale strandings are heartbreaking, but what happens when the whales are not sick? In this episode of How to Protect the Ocean, we look at a recent mass pilot whale stranding in Scotland, where many of the animals appeared to be healthy before they ended up on shore.

Pilot whales are highly social animals, which means one wrong turn can become a disaster for the entire pod. As prey shifts closer to shallow coastal waters, whales may follow their food into places where navigation becomes harder and the risk of stranding increases.

Ocean change is the bigger story. These strandings may not just be random events. They may be signals that prey, currents, temperatures, and ecosystems are shifting in real time.

Sea Cucumbers are disappearing in parts of the ocean, and most people have no idea why that matters. These strange, soft-bodied animals might not look important, but they play a critical role in keeping marine ecosystems healthy and functioning.

Ocean Ecosystems rely on sea cucumbers to recycle nutrients, clean sediments, and support the balance of life on the seafloor. When they are removed through overfishing, the consequences can ripple across entire habitats, affecting biodiversity and long-term ocean health.

Overfishing Impacts are often hidden from public view, especially when they involve species people rarely think about. This episode explores why sea cucumbers are declining, what that means for the ocean, and why losing them could have bigger consequences than expected.

The US Election is over...FINALLY!!! Here are some stories you might have missed while you were bombarded with election news:

1) Canada announces Ocean Protection Plan;
2) Too many puffins die due to warming of oceans; and,
3) SeaWorld loses more money and decides to cut more costs to please investors.

Enjoy the podcast!

In the absence of an Ocean Talk Friday, I picked 2 stories that cover some of our favorite topics (Climate Change and Sharks) to discuss.

The first story is about how the US is still divisive on the issue of climate change (ugh!). I talk about the frustrations of hearing arguments against climate change based on a belief system as opposed to adapting to its consequences and reducing our climate change impact.

The second story is about the age of the Greenland Shark. It's old! How old? Well, it's older than Canada and the US! That's old. In fact, it's now considered the oldest vertebrate. Crazy! I talk about how cool it is to find out the age and how the age will dictate management of this species in the face of mounting pressure due to non other than climate change.

Listen to the podcast for more details on both stories.

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