How To Protect The Ocean

Vaquita stands as one of the rarest marine mammals on Earth, with fewer than 20 left in the wild. In this episode, we explore what the near-extinction of the vaquita teaches us about the future of sharks and why their survival is critical to the health of the ocean. Sharks play an essential role in keeping marine ecosystems balanced, yet they face many of the same threats that doomed the vaquita:...

Marineland beluga whales remain at the center of a heated national debate after Canada's Department of Fisheries and Oceans denied the park's request to export 30 whales to a marine theme park in China. In this episode, Andrew Lewin explores the unfolding crisis, from the park's claims of financial hardship to the legal, ethical, and political questions surrounding the whales' future. Marineland b...

Shark conservation: All The Sharks brings you into the water with filmmakers and scientists, exploring how camera choices, site selection, and safety shape close encounters with tiger sharks, hammerheads, white sharks, and whale sharks. You will hear candid stories about reading shark behavior, managing lighting on fast passes from silky sharks, and turning footage into conservation wins that help...

Marineland Beluga exports have been denied by Canada's Department of Fisheries and Oceans, igniting national debate over animal welfare, legality, and ethics. In this episode, Andrew Lewin breaks down what the 2019 law banning cetacean captivity means, why DFO refused Marineland's permit to sell 30 belugas to China, and what options exist for the facility and the animals now caught in limbo. Marin...

Sustainability business: In this episode of How to Protect the Ocean , Andrew Lewin talks with Lee Stewart about how businesses can make sustainability a practical, measurable part of their operations. They explore how carbon tracking, waste reduction, packaging design, and supply chain improvements can build resilience while cutting costs. Ocean literacy: Lee shares experiences from Australia, To...

Mentors: climate change is hopeless —at least, that's the message many young scientists are hearing from the people they were told to admire. But what if giving up isn't the only option? In this episode, I respond to a heartfelt email from a marine science student who refuses to stay silent, even when senior scientists tell her that solutions to climate change are naive, misguided, or politically...

Jane Goodall transformed the way we understand animals, conservation, and our place in nature. In this special tribute episode of How to Protect the Ocean , I reflect on Dr. Goodall's incredible legacy and what her life's work teaches us about empathy, science, and hope. From living with chimpanzees in Gombe to influencing ocean storytelling today, her impact spans generations and ecosystems. Jane...

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 fundi...

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 intellige...

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 clim...

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...

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 n...

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...

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 adv...

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...

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...

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 bot...

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 ris...

Starting an environmental nonprofit often begins with a vision and the determination to make a difference, but it also comes with challenges in funding, community support, and long-term sustainability. In this episode of How to Protect the Ocean , Bart Oor and Sander Brienen share the story of how they created Balean, a platform designed to help independent projects and nonprofits access the suppo...

Pacific Islands Heritage Marine National Monument : For over a decade, these waters stood as one of the largest no-take zones on Earth, safeguarding corals, fish, and migratory species. But on day one of his presidency, Donald Trump erased the U.S. commitment to 30x30 and soon after issued Proclamation 10918, opening parts of the monument to commercial fishing. Marine conservation at risk : The ro...

Less than 400 left — that's how many North Atlantic right whales remain in the world. These critically endangered whales are at the center of an urgent conservation story, but how the media communicates about them plays a powerful role in shaping public awareness and action. In this episode of How to Protect the Ocean , Andrew Lewin sits down with Dr. Marcus Reamer, a new PhD graduate in science c...

Managing fishing vessels goes far beyond tracking where a boat is registered. In this episode, we dive into Oceana's Beyond the Flag report to explore how large-scale fishing vessels are often flagged in one country but owned in another, creating dangerous loopholes that allow illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing to thrive. This legal and beneficial ownership opacity undermines ocean...

Plastic pollution in the ocean is no longer just an environmental issue—it's a public health crisis and an economic threat. In this episode, I break down the latest updates from the UN negotiations on a global plastics treaty, explaining why the talks in Geneva this month could set the course for the next generation's relationship with plastic. From production caps to industry lobbying, the fight...

How 5 billion sea stars died is a story that shook marine ecosystems along North America's Pacific coast. This episode dives into the groundbreaking discovery of the bacterium Vibrio pectenicida , the pathogen responsible for sea star wasting disease, which decimated up to 90% of sunflower sea stars. We explore how the loss of these predators caused sea urchin populations to explode, leading to wi...

Scientist Identifies New Manta Ray Species —the Atlantic Manta Ray, Mobula yarae —in a groundbreaking announcement from Dr. Andrea Marshall and her team at the Marine Megafauna Foundation. In this episode, Andrew Lewin shares the story of how Dr. Marshall, already renowned for identifying two distinct manta species in 2009, confirmed a long-suspected third species after years of meticulous observa...