How To Protect The Ocean

China's distant-water fleet is always in the news when we discuss IUU (Illegal, unregulated, and unreported) fishing activity. Unfortunately, other countries can't do much to force a country like China to change; however, in 2020, China made some big improvements to their international fishing policies that might help clamp down on the IUU fishing that has been happening for too long! Link to Arti...

The year 2020 has been tough for many reasons. COVID and the actions that led to the Social Justice change via the Black Lives Matter Movement have made 2020 a stressful year, to say the least. However, there have been some shining moments that have come out of 2020, including the formation and growth of an organization called Minorities in Shark Science (MISS). I wanted to know more about the org...

The International Marine Conservation Congress has begun, but this time it's virtual (due to COVID)! How will the virtual conference be different from the in-person conference? I go over some of the things to which I look forward and some of the things that I will miss.  The greatest part is you can be a part of IMCC6 and you don't have to be a Marine Scientist or Marine Conservationist. The price...

For the past 3 weeks, I followed a plan that has changed the way I look at food with the benefit of eating for a better Ocean. During this episode, I share what I've been doing to change my behaviour and live for a better Ocean.  I want to hear what you have done to live for a better Ocean? Share your thoughts in the Speak Up For Blue Facebook Group: http://www.speakupforblue.com/group . Speak Up...

A Japanese tanker grounded along the Mauritius Coastline in a sensitive coral reef habitat. The tanker leaked over 1000 tonnes of oil along 15 kms of coastline. the impacts could affect the environment and subsequently the fishing and tourism industries for decades to come.  What type of penalty do you think the company should face for their destruction? Share your thoughts in the Speak Up For Blu...

I had the pleasure to speak to Dr. David Ebert today about his experience shooting a show for Shark Week 2020. The show that he was on aired August 11th and was called Extinct or Alive: Land of Lost Sharks. Dave talked about how he told the production company of where he could find 3 rare sharks in South Africa, the science that he was going to do for the sharks, and how he used his relationships...

It's Shark Week starting yesterday. Do you like Shark Week or do you love to hate it?! There is always the good and bad parts of the week, but this year is getting off to a rough start even before it airs. I discuss my thoughts on some of the most talked-about news surrounding Shark Week 2020.  I also go through a great article by Dr. David Shiffman, where he interprets the latest report from the...

A Waterfront City project in a city in Indonesia is threatening the livelihoods of the local fishing community as the project may destroy important fish habitat and cause the coastal area to be more choppy that has damaged their boats already. Link To Article: https://news.mongabay.com/2020/07/indonesian-fishers-face-livelihood-threat-from-beautiful-tourism-project/ Do you think the Indonesian Gov...

Coral Reefs have gone through some big changes over the past 50-60 years and Scientists are worried that today's generation of scientists will have a different perception of what a coral reef will looks like, which will be different from the past.  A group of scientists decided to ask a number of coral reef scientists that work in and around the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary to see if Shi...

The Endangered Species Act is a successful act that protects a diverse array of plants and animals across the US; however, the US Government wants to roll back the protections by limiting the term habitat to make it difficult to protect species.  Link To Article: https://www.nrdc.org/experts/nrdc/thousands-species-brink-trump-administration-moves-further-dismantle-endangered-species How would you...

There are 260 Fishing vessels lining up along the border of the Galapagos Marine Reserve ready to poach fish just like a similar incident in 2017 where 300 tonnes of fish were found on a Chinese fishing vessel (most of the fish species were sharks). This is not the first time illegal fishing has happened. I name some other incidents that have happened in other countries. Link To Article: https://w...

There is nothing like dreaming to become a Marine Biologist. I never stopped thinking about the types of careers I would have in Marine Biology when I was in High School (it was a bit of an obsession). However, if I were to do it all over again, would I change anything I did to get to where I am today? You betchya!!!  This episode covers all the advice I would give to High School Students who want...

July 26th was the International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem, so it makes sense that Mangroves are the topic for today's episode.  In the year 2000, the longest-lived cyclone destroyed over 400 hectares of mangroves that were crucial to the livelihoods of the people of Xai-Xai, Mozambique. The restoration has been ongoing since and it has its challenges. Link to Article: http...

Dr. Stephanie Schuttler joins me on the podcast to discuss the factors we need to consider when searching for a job in Conservation.  Stephanie's Links: Website: https://www.stephanieschuttler.com/ YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7KlOYUv8lxU3MG4sfxaLzA Podcast: https://www.stephanieschuttler.com/category/podcast/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fancy_scientist/ What factors...

I cover a great article that tells the story of how Inupiat communities are adapting to Climate Change in the Arctic by using various technologies that provide safer hunts and help build the proper infrastructure to the communities. Above all, the article shows how the Inupiat people want to be respected and treated like others when companies and governments use their land to extract resources suc...

As the past couple of episodes have dealt with the topics of colonialism in Marine Science and Conservation, they got me thinking about how we could begin to be more inclusive. Obviously, inclusion and equity cannot be solved overnight and I am constantly learning about how colonialism and social justice issues are affecting various communities on a daily basis.  However, as a Science Communicator...

Dr. Scarlett Smash joins me in the podcast today to discuss her new podcast called The Guide To Mindful Conservation: Dancing In Pink Hiking Boots. The podcast covers topics that involve becoming happy within the field of Conservation and being a better person.  Smash talks about how her life led her to launch the podcast and the tough types of conversations she has on the podcast to better the co...

I am doing my best to learn how Marine Conservation can become more diverse and equal and provide that information to you. Over the past week, two pieces of content have really inspired me to think better as a Marine Conservationist. The first piece of content was a short documentary called "Big Ocean Islands" which dove into the many issues facing pacific Island Communities that stemmed back to t...

Last year, we observed 215 dead Gray Whales wash ashore. Scientists believe that more whales died and were stuck in some gyres or sank to the bottom of the sea. There were a ton of questions being asked as to why the whales were washing up dead.  Now researchers have some answers and the results are more worrisome than we initially thought. Link To Article: https://www.hakaimagazine.com/news/necro...

Dolphins are fairly intelligent, we know that. However, the fact that we now know dolphins teach each other how to use tools to hunt more efficiently. To top it off, dolphins are teaching other siblings and friends how to use such tools. Normally, the teaching comes from mother to calf, but not this time. What do you think dolphins can do that we don't know yet? Share your thoughts in the Speak Up...

Marine Parks can provide some sort of protection; however, it all depends on the types of Ocean uses that are allowed to take place such as fishing or deep-sea mining. More protections may be necessary once research in the marine park takes place.  An example of this scenario occurred in a recent study at a Marine Park in Australian Water where the banks and pinnacles that typified the undersea ha...

Stories are the way we connect to a particular topic. When we read a book, the story captures our imaginations. When we watch a movie, people look for great storytelling as special effects can only get you so far. The point is storytelling is a tried and tested way to get your message across. It's a skill that some people may have and others need to learn (including myself!).  Do you use storytell...

Finally! I have some great news to share. There was a study that used a drone to count Green Sea Turtles as they waiting along the shoreline of an island in the Great Barrier Reef. Around 64,000 nesting sea turtles were counted (the largest number in a long time). It's a conservation win that used new technology. Check out the details by listening to the podcast. Link To Article: https://news.mong...

It's difficult to stop the illegal trade of endangered animals during "normal" times. Now, try and stop the same trade during a pandemic when there are fewer resources to inspect crates that travel all over the world.  Turtles, Sharks, and Totoaba have all paid the price. It's something we need to discuss. Link To Article: https://www.insightcrime.org/news/brief/coronavirus-trafficking-maritime-bi...

Being a Marine Biologist is THE best! People love hearing that you are a Marine Biologist when you are introduced at a gathering of some sort. You become more interesting because not many people know Marine Biologists. However, we sometimes take on the persona of being a Marine Biologist too much where we don't allow ourselves to become something else as well. And that can lead to burning out. Her...