How To Protect The Ocean

Climate Crisis and Capitalism are at the heart of David Suzuki's powerful message in this episode. In a candid and impassioned reflection, Suzuki warns that if we continue to prioritize politics and the economy over protecting the environment, we may as well give up on climate action. He challenges the cultural obsession with perpetual economic growth, critiques the short-sightedness of political...

Map the Deep Sea to protect what we don't yet understand. In this episode, Andrew Lewin speaks with Tim Kearns from Map the Gaps , a global initiative working to close the knowledge gap beneath the waves. With over 75% of the seafloor still unmapped in high resolution, the ocean remains Earth's final frontier—and unlocking its secrets is essential for biodiversity, disaster planning, and climate a...

Ocean Books can do more than entertain—they can inspire action, hope, and a fresh way of thinking about climate change. In this episode, Todd Medema introduces his new novel, How to Surf a Hurricane , a solarpunk heist that imagines a near-future world adapting to climate change. Todd and Andrew Lewin explore how fiction can shift the narrative from doom to determination, showing how communities c...

Coffee and the environment are deeply intertwined, yet few consumers realize just how damaging the coffee industry can be. In this episode, Etelle Higonnet, a Yale-trained human rights lawyer and founder of Coffee Watch, joins Andrew to explore the environmental and human rights crises associated with global coffee production. From deforestation and toxic chemical use to plastic waste and ocean po...

Plastic foam pollution continues to be a widespread and dangerous threat to ocean health. In this episode of How to Protect the Ocean , Oceana's Christy Leavitt breaks down their 2025 report exposing the true environmental cost of expanded polystyrene foam (EPS) used in foodware across the US. With shocking statistics and real-life examples, Christy explains how foam harms marine ecosystems, why i...

Shark Week 2025 opened with a spectacle that left many conservationists and shark advocates frustrated. The premiere episode, Dancing With Sharks , featured handlers hugging, hand-feeding, and even riding sharks—behaviors that distort shark biology and promote a dangerous misunderstanding of these wild animals. In this episode, we examine how the use of tonic immobility and forced interactions und...

How to Protect Sharks isn't just about banning shark finning or posting awareness videos. It's about understanding what really works—supporting science-based policies, enforcing marine protected areas, backing local researchers, and stopping the spread of misinformation. In this episode, we clear up the confusion around shark conservation and focus on the actions that actually make a difference. S...

How Marine Conservation Works is the foundation for protecting our oceans, but it's often misunderstood. In this episode, we break down how marine conservation really happens—from grassroots community efforts and local fisheries management to scientific input and national policies. You'll learn why effective conservation requires more than just good intentions—it takes collaboration, long-term pla...

Texas Flood 2025 revealed just how urgently we need smarter tools in disaster response. In this episode, Dave Jones, founder of StormCenter Communications, explains how his team used satellite imagery and real-time mapping to support emergency responders during the catastrophic floods. Their data helped identify stranded residents, blocked roads, and the areas most in need—turning science into lif...

Conservation is about collaboration, and collaboration is what we are discussing today. Ocean collaboration is at the heart of many conservation success stories, but what happens when it breaks down? In this episode of the How to Protect the Ocean podcast, host Andrew Lewin talks with Bart Oor, the founder of Balean, a platform created to support independent ocean conservationists by giving them t...

Orca Allokelping is the newly documented behavior where southern resident killer whales use bull kelp as a tool to rub against each other—possibly to remove dead skin and soothe irritation. Captured via drone, this social spa-like behavior, known as allokelping, reveals a rare example of cooperative tool use in the wild. Scientists believe it serves both physical and social functions, strengthenin...

All The Sharks Netflix finally delivers what ocean lovers and science communicators have been asking for: a show that gets shark science right. In this episode, Andrew breaks down how the new game show sets itself apart from misleading content like SeaSpiracy and Shark Whisperer , and instead showcases real marine scientists, environmental journalists, and shark conservationists doing meaningful,...

Ocean careers are often imagined as adventurous and exciting, but what does it actually mean to work in the ocean every day, especially in the deep sea? In this episode of the  How to Protect the Ocean podcast, Andrew speaks with Megan Paulson from Ocean Networks Canada, Josh Tedarenko from Campac Marine Services, and Dirk, who all work in partnership on deep-sea observatory operations and ROV mis...

Ocean Ramsay's new documentary, called Shark Whisperer, is out on Netflix, and this is my review. This episode investigates Ocean Ramsey's viral shark interactions, including her approach of touching and redirecting sharks in open water. We explore how these encounters influence shark behavior and why marine scientists warn about potential stress, habituation, and public safety concerns when shark...

Ocean Conservation Disconnect defines the state of ocean conservation today, where public enthusiasm rarely translates into real impact. The viral plastic straw campaign proved that a simple symbol could spark global conversations, yet it shifted focus away from the systemic changes needed to reduce ocean plastic. Swapping plastic for metal straws may feel empowering, but it does not challenge the...

Tuna sustainability is more than a buzzword—it's a complex challenge tackled head-on by the International Seafood Sustainability Foundation (ISSF). In this episode, Susan Jackson , ISSF President, joins host Andrew Lewin to unpack their groundbreaking 2024 Annual Report. From developing biodegradable jelly-FADs to advancing electronic monitoring standards, Susan explains how ISSF works with fisher...

French Polynesia marine protected area is now the largest in the world, covering nearly 4.8 million square kilometers of ocean. This groundbreaking conservation effort was announced during the United Nations Ocean Conference and includes large no-take zones near the Society and Gambier Islands, along with expansive areas that restrict harmful activities like deep-sea mining and bottom trawling. Th...

The problem with seaweed aquaculture is that it's not always as ocean-friendly as it seems. While seaweed farming is often praised as a climate solution—able to sequester carbon, improve water quality, and support sustainable food systems—scientists are now warning that its rapid, unregulated expansion could be damaging vital marine ecosystems. In this episode of How to Protect the Ocean , we dive...

UNOC 2025 brought major headlines in ocean conservation—from billions pledged to protect biodiversity, to significant movement on the High Seas Treaty. In this episode, Andrew Lewin returns from the UN Ocean Conference in Nice, France, with a firsthand account of what was announced, what was promised, and what might actually happen. Ocean finance was a hot topic this year. Governments, development...

Why Cayman Islanders Voted against a massive cruise ship pier is a rare and powerful story of reef protection over profit. In this episode of How to Protect the Ocean , Andrew Lewin unpacks the bold decision by Cayman citizens to reject a development project that would have severely damaged their coral reef ecosystem. The vote sent a clear message: the long-term health of the ocean matters more th...

Climate policy in the U.S. has taken a wild ride in recent years. In this episode of How to Protect the Ocean , I speak with Chris Moyer, founder of Echo Communication Advisors, about the turbulent shifts in federal policy—especially during the Trump and Biden administrations, and how these shifts have disrupted progress in renewable energy. We examine the implications of these changes for energy...

Oceans Day is more than a date on the calendar—it's a moment to reflect on the state of our blue planet and our role in protecting it. In this heartfelt episode, Andrew Lewin shares a personal message for Oceans Day 2025 (and any day after), speaking directly to those who feel overwhelmed by climate anxiety and unsure of their place in ocean conservation. His reminder is clear: the problems may be...

Ocean Networks Canada (ONC) began as a bold idea—to create a real-time, always-on listening system for the ocean. In this episode,  Surfacing Secrets: Mavericks and Visionaries , we go behind the scenes with the people who made that idea real. From laying cables deep in the Pacific to building trust with research institutions and government partners, this is the untold story of how a world-leading...

Ocean conservation is more than protecting ecosystems—it's about empowering people to lead change. In this episode of How to Protect the Ocean , Andrew, Serena, and Amanda explore the WaveMaker identity, what it means to be part of a movement, and how The Undertow is creating a community where action and support go hand-in-hand. WaveMakers aren't just scientists or campaigners—they're everyday peo...

Ocean conservation is evolving—and The Undertow is leading the way by merging storytelling, technology, and community. In this episode, host Andrew Lewin is joined by Amanda Horn and Serena Nguyen to unveil The Undertow , a new platform designed to supercharge ocean action by connecting people from all backgrounds to meaningful environmental impact. Innovation lies at the heart of The Undertow's m...