Northern Right Whale Threats
The North Atlantic right whale is an endangered species, and its presence near lobster fishing areas can pose a threat to the whale population. The main concerns are ship strikes and entanglement with fishing lines, which have both been responsible for injuries and fatalities among these majestic creatures. As the northern right whales venture higher and further north in Canada, the task of managing their interactions with human activities becomes increasingly challenging. Recognizing the importance of prioritizing the protection of these endangered species, cautious methods are being employed to mitigate any potential harm caused by the fishing industry. During the podcast, I discussed how sightings of Northern right whales in the vicinity of Prince Edward Island prompted the temporary closure of a lobster fishing area. With high stakes, it is crucial to strike a balance between preserving these whales' well-being, preserving the fishermen's livelihood, and maintaining the environment's delicate balance. Fishermen in the region have been doing their part to achieve this balance by working with the Department of Fisheries Oceans to adopt eco-friendly and sustainable practices.

Economic Consequences
The temporary closure of the lobster fishing area represents a setback for local fishermen who rely on their catch to make a living. The peak lobster season is ongoing, and the closure may have a significant financial impact on the affected fishers. Despite the potential economic consequences, the preservation of an endangered species has to be prioritized. The challenge lies in finding alternative solutions that can successfully mitigate whale interactions without hampering the fishermen's livelihood. The possible economic repercussions of the temporary closure were acknowledged. The podcast highlighted the importance of finding new management methods and solutions to address the issue. By working together, all parties involved can explore and implement innovative approaches that ensure sustainable fishing practices without compromising marine ecosystems and the vulnerable northern right whales.

Closure Details
The closure of the portion of the lobster fishing area 24 applies to waters 18 meters deep, with shallower waters remaining open for fishing activities. The Department of Fisheries Oceans has granted a 96-hour window for the removal of fishing gear, and the closure will persist for 15 days. However, if no subsequent sightings of right whales occur in the area, the closure may be lifted sooner, allowing fishermen to resume their activities.

Link to article: https://bit.ly/3Mz2Qt8

 

Join Inaki Ruiz on his journey to save the oceans, but be prepared for the unexpected twist that will leave you inspired and questioning what more you can do to make a difference.

In this episode, you will be able to:

• Decipher the significance of environmental engineering in addressing climate change issues.

• Realize the importance of spreading knowledge about climate change's effects on marine life.

• Harness the power of youth-driven actions and solutions for change.

• Simplify intricate scientific ideas for a wider, non-specialist audience.

• Advocate for cycling as a sustainable alternative to tackle congestion and lower emissions.

My special guest is Inaki Ruiz

Introducing Inaki Ruiz, a dedicated environmental engineering student from Mexico City, who's making a difference in the world of sustainability. While initially enrolled in civil engineering, Inaki's passion for the environment led him to switch majors and co-found an ocean awareness organization with his classmates. Currently studying in Puerto Rico on an exchange program, Inaki continues to broaden his knowledge and understanding of environmental issues. As an advocate for sustainable transportation, Inaki is well-equipped to discuss the benefits of cycling as a way to alleviate traffic congestion and reduce carbon emissions.

Connect with Inaki's organization: https://www.instagram.com/natures_herald/

 

Are you tired of feeling frustrated and powerless in the face of misinformation about climate change? Have you been told to simply recycle and turn off the lights, only to see little progress toward a sustainable future? It's time to take action by recognizing fallacies and promoting productive conservation conversations. Join us in this episode as we explore the benefits of transitioning from fossil fuels, uncover ditactics, envision a sustainable economy, and gain the skills to detect fallacious arguments. Let's combat misinformation and work towards a healthier planet together.

In this episode, you will be able to:

• Discover the long-term advantages of replacing fossil fuels with more sustainable energy sources.

• Expose the diversion tactics utilized to sidetrack focus on climate change problems.

• Contemplate the steps required to establish an economy resilient against environmentally damaging practices.

• Understand the impact of effective communication by scientists and policymakers in lessening fossil fuel consumption.

• Enhance your skills in discerning fallacious arguments that impede conservation progress.

 

The resources mentioned in this episode are:

• Reduce your personal use of fossil fuels by using public transportation, biking, or walking whenever possible.

• Support companies that prioritize sustainability and have transparent supply chains.

• Educate yourself and others on the red herring fallacy and how to identify and challenge diversion tactics in conversations about climate change and ocean protection.

• Advocate for government policies that prioritize reducing the use of fossil fuels and transitioning to a sustainable economy.

• Support and invest in research and development of alternative energy sources and carbon sequestration technology.

• Take action on a local level by participating in beach cleanups, supporting local conservation organizations, and advocating for environmental protections in your community.

Cutting Through the BS
It is critical to pierce through the obfuscation and challenge manipulation tactics in environmental conversations, specifically addressing fallacies such as red herrings. By maintaining a keen awareness of these deceptive approaches and calling them out, individuals can ensure that conversations remain focused on the relevant issues, contributing to meaningful progress in combating climate change and protecting our oceans. In his podcast episode, Andrew Lewin emphasizes the importance of identifying and challenging the diversion tactics and fallacies used to sidetrack essential discussions about climate change and environmental conservation. He encourages listeners to be aware of these tactics in conversations and to remain steadfast in focusing on the central issues at hand. By cutting through these distractions, one can facilitate a more productive and impactful conversation surrounding environmental issues.

Call to Action
Individuals, communities, and governments must take action to recognize fallacies, maintain focus during conversations, and work together to address the pressing environmental issues we face. By sharing experiences, knowledge, and stories, we can inspire others and promote a united effort toward environmental conservation and responsibility. Andrew Lewin asks listeners to share their thoughts on the impact of fallacies in conservation efforts, inviting open conversation and encouraging community building through shared experiences. He emphasizes the importance of inspiring others by sharing personal conservation journeys and challenges encountered in their efforts. Through open dialogue, collaborative thinking, and a unified focus on the environmental challenges we face, meaningful progress toward sustainability can be made.

Focus on Transitioning to a Sustainable Economy
Shifting the focus of the conservation debate to emphasize the importance of transitioning to a sustainable economy is essential in addressing the impacts of climate change. By placing attention on renewable energy sources, sustainable practices, and eco-friendly developments, individuals, communities, and entire nations can work together to create a future that minimizes harm to our environment while fostering economic growth. Andrew Lewin encourages science communicators, climate activists, and policymakers to concentrate on reducing fossil fuel use and supporting companies and technologies striving for sustainability. He calls for empathetic and focused conversations that consider the multifaceted impact of climate change on our planet, emphasizing that this transition to a sustainable economy is crucial in the quest to protect our oceans.

 

Just when I thought I understood the delicate balance between nature and human intervention along coastlines, the Dunes project revealed an unexpected twist that left me stunned. Get ready for a jaw-dropping revelation that will challenge everything you thought you knew about protecting our vulnerable shorelines.

In this episode, you will be able to:

• Discover the critical role of sand dunes in safeguarding coastlines against erosion.

• Uncover the objectives of the Dunes project in pinpointing vulnerable zones and preparing for erosion.

• Realize the vulnerability of European nations to climate change and coastal flooding.

• Delve into the history of human-environment interactions in coastal areas across the globe.

• Find inspiration to take a stand in safeguarding our oceans for future generations.

If we can't do that [prepare for the vulnerability of coastal communities], those coastal communities are at risk and we don't know which ones will be more at risk than others. And these are people's livelihoods that we're talking about. - Andrew Lewin

The resources mentioned in this episode are:

• Share your thoughts on coastal flooding and erosion on Instagram at @howtoprotecttheocean (https://bit.ly/3rIaJSG).

• Book a conservation journey interview with Andrew Lewin through the calendar link: https://calendly.com/sufb/sufb-interview

• Check out the Dunes project article on phys.org (https://bit.ly/3nDEpSR) for more information on how sand dunes can act as a barrier against erosion and flooding.

• Consider using natural systems, such as sand dunes, to protect against erosion and flooding rather than human-altered systems.

• Prepare for climate change and adapt to the consequences by identifying vulnerable areas and fortifying them with natural or human-altered systems.

• Show appreciation for mothers and the sacrifices they make for their families.

Building on Past Successes
Looking back at successful conservation efforts is vital in shaping the future of environmental protection. Understanding the factors that have contributed to these victories can offer valuable lessons and inspiration for future initiatives. In the podcast, Andrew Lewin expresses excitement for upcoming episodes, which will delve into past successes and challenges facing conservation efforts. By hearing from experts in ocean conservation, marine biology, and related fields, Lewin hopes to inspire others to take action and build on previous accomplishments, ultimately achieving positive results in protecting our oceans.

Challenges in Conservation
The numerous challenges facing ocean conservation can seem insurmountable. However, understanding these obstacles and learning how to navigate them is key to protecting our coastlines and the marine ecosystems they support. Throughout the podcast, Andrew Lewin speaks passionately about the threats to our oceans and emphasizes the importance of overcoming these challenges. He calls listeners to action, encouraging them to take simple steps such as reducing single-use plastic to make a difference. By highlighting the successes and obstacles in conservation efforts, Lewin’s podcast promises to offer valuable insights and advice that can inspire and guide coastal residents in their own battles to protect the ocean.

Dune's Evolution
Understanding the evolution of sand dunes is vital to protecting coastlines from erosion. By learning how dunes have formed and developed over time, coastal residents can adapt their strategies to better suit the changing landscape. The interactions between humans and their coastal environments have left their mark on dunes, shaping their past and future evolution. During the podcast, Andrew Lewin discusses the international span of the Dunes project, which is researching coastal regions across countries like France, Portugal, the UK, Brazil, Mozambique, North America, and New Zealand. By examining the history of human-environment interactions in these coastal areas, the Dunes project aims to gain insights into how dunes have evolved and will continue to act as barriers against erosion in the face of climate change.

Sargassum, a type of giant seaweed, has been washing up on the shores of Florida earlier than ever before. Sargassum is a brown algae that forms large mats or blobs in the ocean, and its excessive presence can have detrimental effects on marine ecosystems and coastal communities. The seaweed can disrupt tourism, damage coral reefs, and deplete oxygen levels in the water, leading to the death of marine life. I covered the causes behind the increase in sargassum blooms, including climate change and nutrient pollution from agricultural activities in other episodes. In today's episode, I explore the opportunities and challenges of disposing of sargassum in Key West.

 

Link to monitoring Sargassum site: https://cwcgom.aoml.noaa.gov/SIR/

 

Link to article: https://bit.ly/3pfTHO8

 

 

Canada has implemented a ban on single-use plastic products as part of its goal to achieve zero plastic waste by 2030. However, environmentalists are concerned about the increasing use of paper packaging as a substitute. Nicole Rycroft, the founder of Canopy, a nonprofit organization working to protect forests, warns that the shift to paper is leading to deforestation and forest degradation. She estimates that over three billion trees, including old-growth and endangered trees, are logged annually to produce paper-based products. In addition to deforestation, the production of paper requires significant amounts of energy and water. While paper is more biodegradable and easier to recycle than plastic, the grade of paper affects its recyclability. Furthermore, when paper ends up in landfills, it decomposes and releases methane, a potent greenhouse gas. The paper industry is exploring alternative solutions such as using agricultural waste like straw, hemp, flax, tomato stems, and banana peels to make sustainable single-use products. Biodegradable resins are also being used but are often expensive and have limited applications. Waste policies should transition away from a single-use model, and consumers are encouraged to choose reusable packaging whenever possible to achieve more sustainable outcomes.

 

Link: https://bit.ly/44BzZfW

 

 

Indigenous communities in Hawaii are reviving an ancient stewardship and conservation system known as ahupua'a. The system divides the islands into long wedges running from the mountains to the ocean and allows for the holistic management of resources. Three communities—Hā'ena, Heʻeia, and Kaʻūpūlehu—have successfully restored ahupua'a practices and co-manage resources with government and private landowners. They have established Indigenous and community-conserved areas (ICCAs) within their territories, leveraging rights and resources previously taken from them. The communities' efforts have led to positive outcomes such as increased fish populations and recognition for innovative conservation initiatives. The success of these communities serves as an example of embracing Indigenous culture and conservation practices for the benefit of both humans and nature.

 

Link: https://bit.ly/3M2CRuZ

 

 

Google has been found to have monetized videos promoting climate crisis misinformation on YouTube as recently as April 2023, according to a report by the Climate Action Against Disinformation coalition. The report highlights 100 videos denying that greenhouse gas emissions caused by burning fossil fuels are responsible for climate change, as well as 100 videos featuring deceptive content on tackling climate change. Google updated its policies in October 2021 to prohibit ads and monetization of content contradicting the scientific consensus on climate change. However, examples of videos violating this policy still ran with preroll advertising for a mosquito lamp.

 

Link to article: https://bit.ly/3AZVMAi

 

 

Transport Canada has announced 10 measures to protect the critically endangered southern resident orcas off the British Columbia coast, including mandatory speed zones in two areas near Swiftsure Bank, fishing closures, and interim sanctuary zones. Commercial and recreational salmon fishing will be banned this summer and fall throughout the waters of the southern Gulf Islands. From now until May 31, 2024, vessels are required to stay at least 400 meters away from all orcas in southern B.C. coastal waters. However, cetacean researcher and senior research scientist with the Raincoast Conservation Foundation, Lance Barrett-Lennard, said the measures need to go much further to help the animals thrive, including much broader fishing restrictions throughout their critical habitat.

 

Link to article: https://bit.ly/3HwC3Mp

 

Book a podcast interview time to share your conservation journey: https://calendly.com/sufb/sufb-interview

 

 

A new book argues that the social sciences, including anthropology, economics, human geography, political science, psychology, and sociology, are key to effective conservation. Conservation Social Science: Understanding People, Conserving Biodiversity argues that human behaviour is often overlooked when it comes to developing conservation solutions, which ultimately require changing the way people interact with the environment. Effective conservation requires understanding the consequences for species and ecosystems, as well as people and their livelihoods. Conservationists can navigate key questions that surround establishing a protected area by using a political science lens, such as who has the power to make the rules and whose voices are underrepresented. The answers to these questions have profound implications for both nature and people. The book also calls for impact evaluation, an approach that can help us understand how the design and management of a conservation project affects not only species and ecosystems but also the lives and livelihoods of local people who depend on them.

 

Link to article: https://bit.ly/3nmCS3l

 

Share your conservation story on the podcast (book your time through this link): https://calendly.com/sufb/sufb-interview

 

 

 

The How To Protect The Ocean Podcast has always been a podcast for people that wanted to learn about living for a better ocean and about the people who were out there working and protecting the ocean. It meant that I would help tell the stories or bring on people who worked in the same field who would tell their stories about protecting the ocean through marine conservation. But, I came to realize that I learn a lot from you, the person in my audience on your challenges and successes in protecting the ocean during your daily life. So I would like to invite you on the podcast to share your story to help your fellow audience members how they could live for a better ocean. Sign up below to be interviewed on my podcast.

Ecotourism can bring about some great benefits by educating visitors about the natural habitats found in a particular place and providing a revenue-generating service for local people. The type of ecotourism can range from kayak tours of mangroves to whale watching and can provide some great opportunities for tourists to connect with the wilderness. But some types of ecotourism can be considered dangerous and have checkered pasts which can make it difficult for new operations to open up in new places. A Great White Shark ecotourism company that is being operated by a shark scientist named Dr. Neil Hammershlag is running into criticism from scientists about the concern for the safety of the sharks and the people as well as concern for the fact that the company will be generating revenue while stating their intentions to study the science of the sharks. I discuss these concerns for this business venture on this episode.

There is no secret that the Southern Resident Orca Population in the Salish Sea is critically endangered and it faces many challenges that could lead this population to extinction. An overwhelming challenge is the population's reliance on Chinook salmon as their primary prey as the salmon population is also declining. But there is also a new question that was recently answered that could identify another challenge: Is the energy storage (fats) in Chinook salmon equal among Chinook salmon? Researchers from the University of British Columbia tested the fat content in Chinook salmon in the spring and in the Fall to find out if their lipid content was the same. We are going to talk about the results, which could help decipher management decisions for Chinook salmon and orcas, in the future.

 

Link to article: http://bit.ly/43gUi1E

 

 

There is an effort to conserve the Mobulid (manta and devil rays) species (9-11 species) as most of the species are considered endangered. Purse seine nets and gill nets are the leading reason for the death of mobulids. But there is a new fishing gear hack that gives mobulids a better chance for survival if they are caught in purse seine nets. The device is called a manta grid and it could be used as a tool in the conservation tool belt for tuna fishing (or any other type of fishing) in the future. Other tools could consider pre-fishing adjustments that could give mobulid species a fighting chance at survival. We are going to discuss these tools and strategies in this episode.

 

Link to article: http://bit.ly/40OM8vz

 

 

One of the scariest thoughts to me is wondering how far does our plastic pandemic reach in the ocean. We know that plastics reach every part of the ocean's surface, but how far down? And is it consistently found in the deep-sea? If so, how much of the microplastic accumulates within the deep-sea organisms? So many questions would require thousands of samples from around the world which would cost several millions of dollars. The good news is our guest today, Dr. Andrew Thaler, is now the steward of such a dataset and he hopes to answer the questions above. He just needs your help to fund the pilot study.

 

Link to Experiment: https://experiment.com/projects/establishing-a-baseline-for-microplastic-accumulation-in-deep-sea-animals-using-an-historical-sample-archive?s=discover

 

 

Blue carbon is not just a huge buzzword in the conservation space. It's a field within conservation that could help the oceans recoup from climate change impacts while decreasing climate change. There are many start-up companies that are popping up in the space to get in on what could be a lucrative business model for the near future and a way to save the planet. However, there are still many questions that remain unanswered for the space that could have unintended negative impacts on the ocean and the planet. For example, a recent study revealed that coastal ecosystems may release methane (a more severe greenhouse gas than CO2) after absorbing CO2. We are going to discuss these effects and why it is so important to know this information.

 

Link to article: http://bit.ly/3KaX9Ak

 

 

Lolita is coming home...well maybe. The long-awaited journey home that people all over the world, especially the Lummi people (Indigenous people near the waters from which Lolita originated) closer to going home. The new owners of the Miami Seaquarium would like to release her, an NFL owner is ready to donate the funds, and local organizations are ready for her arrival. However, you may not see her home anytime soon as there are some regulations and challenges that need to be overcome before that could happen. We are going to talk about those challenges and more in this episode.

 

Link to article: http://bit.ly/3nw7uzg

 

 

The congressional hearing where the CEO of TikTok was questioned about the security of the app seemed like a total farce and there are many things that could be said about some of the conflicts of interest of the politicians in that most of them had Meta stock (a direct competitor to TikTok). However, the chair of the hearing said that she thinks the app should be banned in the United States due to safety and security concerns. The recent success of making the Willow Project go viral on TikTok showed a real promise for environmental campaigns to succeed and reach audiences with a specific message. But now, the app may not be around and this will impact creators on the app, including marine science communicators. I am going to talk about what you should do in this situation.

 

 

A new proposal by an aquaculture company to farm octopuses is raising concerns among animal activists, conservationists, and scientists about whether it is right to farm octopuses for the purpose of food. The company proposes that farming octopus will help reduce trawling practices and provide the cultural demand for octopus as certain places around the world eat octopus as part of their culture; however, others are worried about the ethical and physical problems that might arise from the farming octopus. Octopuses are sentinel beings that have been documented as feeling pain. They are also territorial animals so one would think that it would be difficult to put more than one animal in the same tank. I am going to explore the many aspects surrounding the question of whether Can Octopuses be farmed?

 

Links to articles: 
1) http://bit.ly/40FDD5w

2) http://bit.ly/40EgNvq

 

 

I get asked the same thing all of the time: How do I get a job in marine biology? The first thing I say is, do you have some time to talk? Marine Biology is a career that many people want when they grow up. They watch some great documentaries and TV shows and now even social media content of scientists and conservationists sharing their work in incredible places do some amazing things. When people graduate from university/college and start to look for a job they get frustrated about a number of things: not getting a job, not getting paid enough, having to move to remote places, etc. The career isn't for everyone and there are a few things that you should consider before you jump into the pursuit of a career in marine biology. Dr. David Shiffman shared an exercise he conducts with his students so they know what to expect when pursuing this career. I want to share it with you because I think it's super important.

 

Dr. David Shiffman's Twitter Thread: https://twitter.com/WhySharksMatter/status/1638179396996730880

 

 

There is nothing better than going to a beach after a rain storm to sea the calmness of the sea and enjoy the ocean's tranquility. But, you might want to stay away from those areas after you hear what a recent study found in the ocean spray after storms near rivers where sewage is disposed of during storms. A recent study that sampled ocean spray in the air found sewage particles carrying bacteria, viruses, and potentially other nasty things in the air after a storm hit. The study becomes scary after realizing how far inland the aerosols can travel inland via ocean spray.  We are going to talk about it in this episode.

 

Link to article: http://bit.ly/3n6YujH

 

 

Red tide has hit the Florida coastline once again due to a variety of reasons that will not go away any time soon unless Florida's water quality problem is solved soon and it's affecting the local people and economy. It's not the worst red tide event that we have seen in the recent past, but it seems to be popping up year after year and that is concerning many scientists as climate change is making things worse.  We are starting to see the long-term effects of red tide, increased nutrients, and warmer waters so we are going to talk about it during this episode.

 

Link to article: http://bit.ly/3mYg0GR

 

 

My family and I love to travel down south to the Caribbean for vacation during the winter to get a break from the cold and lie on the beach and explore the inshore of the ocean. But there has been a massive increase in the coverage of sargassum along the coastline and the accumulation is getting to the point where trucks are working around the clock to get rid of the algae. Climate change and increased nutrients for massive rivers are the culprits to the increase in the biomass of sargassum. The problem is not going away anytime soon but something needs to be done to reduce the problem.

 

Link to article: http://bit.ly/3Tqdl5d

 

 

The Biden administration approved a controversial proposal to drill in Alaska (a project that could produce 280 million metric tons of carbon emissions/9.2 million per year)despite campaign promises of not approving any more oil projects due to climate change concerns. Many petitions with hundreds of thousands of signatures were submitted and numerous comments were made on social media posts asking for people to Speak Up against the project. Former government officials said the administration was bound by the leasing contract to approve the proposal or else face a potential $5 Billion lawsuit for breach of contract. Other factors that might have influenced the decision were an energy crisis and a looming election. However, did President Biden lose the younger vote with campaign climate change promises broken?

 

Link to article: http://bit.ly/42aEyg6

 

 

Kiska the orca who was known as the loneliest orca in the world passed away due to a bacterial infection on March 10th and people around the world are angry at Marineland for their lack of effort in taking good care of Kiska. But the most frustrating part of Kiska's story is that she could have been the first orca to participate in the whale sanctuary project. Therefore, we need to intensify the efforts of retiring orcas and other marine mammals to seaside sanctuaries so we don't repeat Kiska's tragedy.

 

Link to article: http://bit.ly/41YNt42

 

 

After 2 decades we have a UN High Seas Treaty and there is hope for protecting the ocean in international waters, but there is an important step that needs to be taken...the treaty needs to be ratified by the countries. There are great reasons to ratify this treaty, specifically 4 important actions that will help the world and its ocean. Therefore, it is time that the people of the countries who need to ratify this treaty need to tell their politicians to ratify this bill. We are going to talk about the important points of this treaty and why we should be hopeful.

 

Link to article: http://bit.ly/3yt4sOA

 

 

Last year, the Biden administration rolled out the most comprehensive climate bill in US history and launched the journey of climate action that was promised during the campaign. But it is now evaluating the approval of an oil and gas drilling opportunity in Alaska called the Willow Project. You may not have heard of the project because it seems to have flown under the radar, but people are talking about it on TikTok. In fact, my daughter is the person who told me about it. I wanted to find out more information on the project so I reached out to my good friend, Angelo, and he put me in touch with Jenny Rowland-Shea who has been working on this project at the Center for American Progress for a while now. Jenny tells us about the history and future plans of the project and how people in Alaska feel about it.

 

Link to article: http://bit.ly/3JiHnEi

 

 

Open-net pen salmon aquaculture has been operating along the west coast of Canada in the Discovery islands for almost 30 years and it was supported by the government. But not everyone was happy with the results that occurred in the surrounding waters. Indigenous groups and environmentalists were noticing that there was more disease in and outside of the pens and fewer wild Pacific Salmon coming out of the Fraser river. A court ruled that many of the licenses for the aquaculture pens should not be renewed and it's finally starting to happen. We are going to talk about it in this episode of the podcast.

 

Link to article: http://bit.ly/3KMfUw2

 

 

 

 

We have heard the experts tell us time and time again that diversity and inclusion is critical for protecting the ocean and the planet. But many organizations, governments, and private companies often fail to implement policies within the workplace to foster a better environment and work culture that could lead to better conservation. I was recently contacted by a listener to tell me about a mistake that I made in referencing the terms equality and equity. The conversation developed into a great exchange of ideas that lead to this interview about implementing diversity and inclusion training and policies in the workplace. Christie Mazzeo-Pfoertner works for the New York Department of State and tells you how she personally got involved in becoming more aware of diversity and inclusion, which led to her volunteering to be on a working group for the department. We are going to talk about her journey in this episode.

 

The Black Agenda: https://bit.ly/3J1RVYk

Melinda Epler (Podcast, Book): https://bit.ly/3J2COhm

 

 

Science communication has the power to capture the eyes and minds of any audience and the ability to find a way to explain science is various aspects of life takes a certain skill and passion. But it's not easy to communicate the science and build an audience that will continue to come back for more. Therefore, the message has to be entertaining to get attention and you must go where the audience goes. Melissa Truth Miller is my guest today and an example of meeting an audience to communicate her science message. Melissa is a marine scientist who also has written blogs for sites like Nerdist and organizes Comic Con panels to bring science to an audience that is interested in science fiction.

 

Connect with Melissa Truth Miller:

Kelp forests have a number of benefits to the coastal oceans: They provide a habitat for a diverse set of species; they provide food for species; and, they take up carbon dioxide more than land trees. But kelp forests are at risk as a predator that used to be a problem is becoming more of a problem and eating live kelp. We need healthy kelp forests for all of their benefits including reducing climate change. Therefore, it is crucial that we discuss what will help protect them.

 

Link to article: http://bit.ly/3Y8oHeC

 

 

I recently did an episode where I interviewed a great colleague and great friend, Dr. Andrew Thaler. At the end of the interview, I asked him what he was up to these days because you never know what Andrew Thaler is up to at any point and time. He let me know that he was spending his time on a climate change committee in his county. I was so proud of him because we had a similar discussion about 5 years ago and he mentioned that he wanted to do something like this. And then he said something that really hit me. He said that local government/committees is where specialists and experts can really make a difference. We are going to talk about why that statement is so profound in this episode.

 

 

There seems to be a resurgence of tuna fish advertising as influencers show the benefits of eating tuna and try to bust myths of mercury poisoning and overfishing if you look up government standards you will find that specific tuna is safe to eat, but are the supermarkets that sell them sourcing from the right supplier? Are they making sure the suppliers are sustainably catching tuna and treating their staff right? Over a number of podcasts, I have revealed the tragedies of overfishing on the high seas including transhipping at sea and the use of fisheries slaves. I think you have the right to know if your favorite grocery store is sourcing its tuna from the right companies. Greenpeace recently released a report ranking worldwide grocery stores that sell tuna based on sustainability and human rights. I am going to go over some of those results.

 

Link to Article: http://bit.ly/3xGjakT

 

 

You need to know what's happening in deep-sea mining, or what's not happening in deep-sea mining. I kept hearing different stories about how close deep-sea mining was to becoming a reality. At times it concerned me and at other times I was just thinking that it was never going to happen. Over the past year, things have seemed to progress and you might be seeing more stories in the media about the topic. That is happening for a reason and it's partly due to the work of a small group of people that became a resource to the industry on both sides of the industry. My guest today is here to tell us the biggest things that have happened over the past 13 years. Dr. Andrew Thaler joins the podcast to tell us about his four years as Editor-In-Chief of the Deep-Sea Mining Observer and how it filled a gap in knowledge to the press on the latest stories in the industry.

 

 

For most of my life my parents and I bought my clothes from shops in the mall in and around Toronto. We never thought of how the clothes were made and what would happen to them after I grew out of the clothes. Now that I know how wasteful my clothes are, I have been trying to find ways to buy more sustainable clothing, but I haven't had much luck finding something that I can afford or that is truly sustainable. There was always another option: thrifting. It's something that I never did before because I was being superficial. I didn't want to buy second-hand clothes as I thought I was better than that, I guess. I got over my ego this past weekend and went to a local thrift store and I can gladly say I was successful. I am going to tell you how it all went and why I think I stood in my own way to not do something.

 

 

I posted a short video on marine mammal captivity on Instagram, Tik Tok, and YouTube Shorts. To be honest, it was an experiment. I knew the video would be a bit controversial as the captivity of marine mammals content always tends to be this way. My goal for the video was not to take a personal stance but to let viewers make their own decision based on the resources I suggested. I got some feedback just as I suspected. Some pro-releasing whales and others pro-captivity. I responded to the comments in all cases and I want to tell you about my experience.

 

 

 

 

We are now in the decade of the ocean and you may or may not have heard of the term flying around that is supposed to help the oceans and lands and protect biodiversity. The term is 30 x 30. It means 196 nations have pledged to protect 30% of lands and oceans by the year 2030. It's a great goal that can help our environment and the human species from climate change, water pollution, plastic pollution, overfishing, and other human disturbances; however, the number 30 could just mean that politicians will focus on just the quantity and not the quality of the protected areas. The Center of American Progress would like to see a quality-over-quantity scenario and I am going to talk about how where the US needs to focus.

 

 

Whale and dolphin captivity is quite a controversial issue as there are people who are advocating for the release of every captive orca, dolphin, seal, and sea lion (along with manatees) to improve their overall health and there are people who think that these animals are treated well in marine parks and offer a great way for humans to make a connection to help save marine mammals. On which side should you fall and how do you make that decision? These are just some of the questions that you may ask yourself when the opportunity presents itself to see an orca or some other marine mammal. I am going to give you some resources that can help you make decisions for yourself so that you can live for a better ocean.

 

 

There are some great people in the marine conservation world that have the potential to do some great things in the field of marine science and conservation. They are intelligent, motivated, passionate, and talented in more than just the science/policy/advocacy work. They can communicate in creative ways. Every once in a while, I have the chance to meet these individuals to speak to them about how they can use their talent and creativity to do some great things. However, imposter syndrome sets in. It can stop you in your tracks of putting yourself out there stopping you from getting your message out. I want people to get past their imposter syndrome as I did so I am going to tell you what helped me.

 

 

 

Corals are facing a ton of challenges in the form of human disturbances and the potential loss of corals and coral reefs will devastate 25% of the species that depend on reefs for their survival. But there are efforts to protect and restore populations in the face of challenges such as climate change, water pollution, coastal development, and over-fishing. An organization called the Great Barrier Reef Legacy, based in Australia is working to do a different type of preservation. the organization wants to collect and preserve every species of coral in the Great Barrier Reef along with the genetic diversity of each coral species. The offsite facility that will house the species will act to stabilize their existence in case the wild populations are threatened with extinction and could act as brooding colonies for restoration purposes.

 

Article: http://bit.ly/3JyZOW1

 

Have you ever thought about whether your marine science/conservation/policy career is having the impact that you want on the ocean? For instance, I turned to podcasting about how to protect the ocean because I wanted to reach out to individual people to tell them about what is happening with the ocean and how they can help. I decided that I would stop working for the government to follow this endeavor and I am not the only one. In today's episode, I speak with Shannon Consentino-Roush about chasing impact throughout her career. Shannon has had quite a career in national and international policy but now works as a Chief Strategic Officer for a start-up company called Finless Foods that offers plant-based and cell-cultured seafood alternatives. We are going to find out what drove her to continue to pivot towards different career choices and how she ended up as the CSO of a start-up.

 

Finless Foods:
Website: https://finlessfoods.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/finlessfoods/

 

 

 

It seems as though the media salivates any time there is a shark bite event and it's labelled as a shark attack that includes all the horrific details. The story reaffirms the fears many people have of sharks and demonizes them, but there is always a piece of the story missing that could get at the real story. For example, a recent story that is being shared is a potential white shark bite off the coast of Mexico. The headlines and the stories are focusing on where the person was bit, but not on the details of why the person was in the ocean even though there were warnings of an increased presence of sharks. I am going to talk about the real story and discuss why those stories could have better results for conservation.

 

The major problem with battling overfishing on the high seas is that it is difficult to track vessels due to the lack of transparency in vessel registration. The results of a new study are hoping to change this problem by creating a global database of the global fishing fleet that can help tackle illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing. Analysis of the data found that 20% of high-seas fishing was likely unregulated and that reflagging of vessels mainly occurred in East Asia, West Africa, and Eastern Europe. The researchers plan on making the dataset publicly available so that authorities have access to timely information.

 

Link to article: https://bit.ly/3j0tkZX

 

 

Sitting on a beach surrounded by sand and the ocean is probably one of the best feelings in the world. Travelers from all over the world flock to coastlines every year to lie on beaches and cool off in the adjacent ocean. However, there is nothing worse than finding litter on the beach, especially cigarette butts.  For years, people cleaning beaches have found cigarette butts were the items picked up the most along Florida's coasts. As a result, the Florida legislature passed a bill that gave the municipalities the power to vote to enact their own local bans. Now coastal municipalities are taking action along coastal Florida. We are going to talk about the significance of the bans in this episode.

 

Link to article: https://bit.ly/3Dbu45h

 

There is so much content out there that is better produced, better audio, better video, and better communicated than mine, but I still have a following and listeners who say they love my content. I must admit, there are times that I want to up my game and make better-produced content to try and bring in more listeners and followers; however, the reality is that I have restrictions in time, money, and sometimes skill set. I continue to make content regardless of the restrictions and my own fears of imposter syndrome because I know there is someone out there that is going to discover my content and turn to live for a better ocean. And I am here to tell you that you can do the same.

 

The health of ocean habitats is a delicate balance of the presence of the right species and the proper conditions. When things are out of balance the health of habitats can be at stake. Coral reef habitats act as a host for a diverse amount of species of invertebrates and vertebrates; however, the reefs are sensitive to physical and chemical changes which we often discuss on this podcast, but we rarely discuss the biological changes that can occur including the presence of predators and prey. There is an interesting article that reveals a decline of reef sharks that could affect the health of coral reefs.

 

Link to article: https://bit.ly/3ko6Vpx

 

 

Now that straws are banned in most places and single-use plastics are also on their way to being banned in many places it's time to move the focus on to other items...clothing. Don't you worry because I am not talking about a ban on clothing, but a ban on throwing out clothing because it can be recycled? The State of Massachusetts has banned throwing out clothing and other textiles in the trash forcing people in the state to recycle them instead. The ban on clothes in the trash comes at the heels of landfills in the state increasing drastically to the point where much of the trash gets shipped out to other states (over 50% of the trash in New Hampshire belongs to Massachusetts!). I will discuss the pros and cons of this policy in the episode.

 

Link to Article: https://bit.ly/3wi7zrs

 

What would you think if I told you that conservationists and managers have improved the health of oceans and land on small islands by eradicating invasive rats? Researchers are now focusing on managing the biodiversity of the land-sea interaction on small islands to help protect biodiversity and the evidence points to success. Many of the studies focus on eradicating invasive species (such as rats) to protect seabirds and crabs that traverse both land and the sea.

 

 

When a government tells its people that it is opening up its coasts to oil and gas leasing like the Trump Administration did from 2016-2020, there are quite a few things that happen behind the scenes that we don't realize until it is too late and it is difficult to fix the changes (or they get ignored). For example, The Trump administration opened up a swath of habitat along the shelf break on the Northern Gulf of Mexico for oil and gas development. The same swath is the habitat of a critically endangered whale called the Gulf of Mexico whale (Rice's whale). You would think that the Biden administration would take the area away from the oil and gas industry; however, the National Marine Fisheries Service did not do anything to change the rule. This example proves that the laws and regulations are very difficult to change for the better

 

Link to article: https://bit.ly/3iuomV3

 

 

I did an interview recently on my other podcast that I cohost called Beyond Jaws with Guy Stevens who is the Founder of the Manta Trust. We talked about how he started studying manta rays after he received his Bachelor's Degree in Science. He just started studying them while working for an ecoresort in the Maldives. He used what was around him to follow his passion not knowing where it would take him. Now, Guy operates a globally recognized NGO that has done some great work on manta and devil rays. This example could be you.

 

I want you to think about what you are passionate about in marine science and conservation and think about how to can get started right away. We are going to talk about that very topic and the logistics behind it in this episode.

 

It's difficult to tell now but some of the heat waves that we have experienced over the past couple of years were thought to be impossible 50 or 60 years ago and we are now seeing natural disasters around the world that are being caused by two or more consequences from climate change (drought brought on by extreme heat waves and lack of rain for extended periods of time). The new scientific field that tracks climate change-attributed disasters will help inform policymakers on how to handle coastal management, reservoirs, and aquifers in this new future if we are not able to cut greenhouse gas emissions in half by the end of the century.

 

Link to article: https://bit.ly/3CBgYOw

 

Visiting Antarctica might be on your bucket list and it would be a fun thing to do, but is it in the best interest protecting its environment? That is the question that conservationists are asking after a noticeable increase in vessels visiting the most Southern continent. They are worried that too many tourists could lead to the introduction of invasive species and/or diseases like the avian flu. A cap in tourists may be necessary to control the increase of tourists.

 

Link to Article: https://bit.ly/3w6NCUB

 

It's a new year and many creator-focused businesses are gearing up and executing plans for 2023, including myself. I've made some personal resolutions and business resolutions for this podcast and my business. My goal has always been to reach more people so my plans will continue to increase my reach for the audio podcast and introduce more content for other digital platforms such as YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram. My word for 2023 is "Execute" so it's time to create.

 

Are you looking to Speak Up For The Ocean in 2023? Then this episode is for you. I've been doing this podcasting thing for over 7.5 years and over that time I covered a lot of stories and I've seen various ways that people and organizations disseminate their marine conservation messages. But there is an increasing percentage of the audiences that are not listening to the messages or find the messaging elitist. Therefore, I am going to provide you with a list of things that you can do to help get your conservation message across to your audience.

 

James Cameron, the famous director, was promoting his new movie, Avatar: the way of the water, which has a huge marine conservation message when he came under fire for attending one of the promotional premieres in Japan. The promotion included a dolphin show at an aquarium which infuriated many environmentalists who wanted to hear Cameron's reason for attending the premiere with a captive dolphin show. We are going to talk about James Cameron's comments and how these events are harder to navigate than people think.