REEF Roundup: 🪸Coral Reefs🐠 and 🐙Marine Conservation🦈

In this episode, we sit down with Briony Venn, the Marine Campaign Organizer at the Bob Brown Foundation in Tasmania, Australia. Over 500,000 tonnes of Antarctic krill are harvested every year to make products that even the industry's biggest player has begun replacing with a plant-based version. Briony is working to end it. Krill, Euphausia superba , is the keystone species of the Southern Oc...

In this episode, we sit down with Doctor Andrea Grottoli, a Distinguished Professor of Earth Sciences at the Ohio State University and the inventor of the Underwater Zooplankton Enhancement Light Array (UZELA). Doctor Grottoli has spent thirty years studying coral feeding mechanics and the physiological collapse that occurs during bleaching events. Building on that knowledge, she is now rolling ou...

In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Sambuddha Misra, a chemical oceanographer, associate professor of earth sciences at the Indian Institute of Science, and the chief scientist at Alt Carbon. Dr. Misra has spent two decades studying how chemical weathering shapes the planet's climate over millions of years, and is now actively applying that science to draw down atmospheric carbon at scale. A...

In this special episode, we depart from our usual format and partner with Jan Maisenbacher from the Ocean Collaborations podcast to sit down with Alice Guittard, who has spent the last five years with the Bridge Project focusing on the active management of a transboundary ecosystem: the Black Sea. The Bridge Black Sea Project was designed to advance knowledge, deliver research, and empower citizen...

In this episode of REEF Roundup we sit down with Oxford legal scholar Sarah Levy and legendary frontline conservationist Captain Paul Watson to discuss their new book, The Only Flag Worth Flying . In it they challenge the assumption that law enforcement belongs solely to the nation-state, arguing that when governments abandon their duty to protect marine ecosystems, direct action by non-state acto...

In this episode we look beyond the biology of conservation to examine the financial engine required to keep it running. We sit down with John Bohorquez, a specialist in ocean finance and the founder of the Blue Economy Solutions Lab, to bridge the often-separate worlds of marine science and finance. John walks us through the realities of the "Blue Economy," highlighting the staggering di...

In this special episode of REEF Roundup, we share the unforgettable conversation we had with the legendary Dr. Sylvia Earle. Recorded on location at the IUCN World Conservation Congress in Abu Dhabi, this interview captures an intimate moment with one of the world's most iconic oceanographers. Dr. Earle shares her perspective on the transformative power of scuba diving, describing it as a pivo...

In this episode of REEF Roundup , we sit down with Linzi Hawkin , co-founder of Protect Blue , and explore the special combination of thoughtful strategy and human joy that is essential to being impactful in your efforts to care for the ocean. Linzi shares her journey from running surf schools in Jersey to designing impact strategies for global NGOs. We dive deep into the dangers of "shiny&qu...

In this episode, we sit down with Virgil Zetterlind, Director of Protected Seas, to discuss the critical difference between declaring a Marine Protected Area (MPA) and it actually leading to the intended positive outcomes we hope to achieve. It's a more complex topic than we often cover, but incredibly important. So grab a cup of coffee, perhaps a notepad, and a comfortable seat before you div...

In this episode, we sit down with Tré Packard, founder and Executive Director of PangeaSeed Foundation , to explore how public art can turn abstract ocean science into something people can see, feel, and act on. From shark fin markets in Asia to large-scale mural festivals and fine art print releases, Tré walks through how PangeaSeed built a global model that funds conservation work, supports arti...

In this episode of REEF Roundup we sit down with world renowned Dr. Jamie Craggs to learn about the fascinating topic of coral reproduction and how controlled coral spawning is increasingly becoming a go-to restoration tool. Jamie walks through the progression from his groundbreaking work at the Horniman Museum & Gardens — Project Coral to wider collaborations with Coral Spawning International...

In this episode, we’re honored to feature Rose Huizenga , founder of Coral Catch and co-founder of Gili Shark Conservation. Originally from the Netherlands, Rose has spent the past decade on Gili Air, Indonesia, transforming a dream to restore her island’s reefs into a powerful movement for ocean conservation and women’s empowerment. Through Coral Catch, Rose has built a sisterhood of local women—...

In this episode we are featuring Rebecca Daniel @rebecca_saltysea, the visionary Director of @themarinediaries. Rebecca’s journey from a young ocean enthusiast to a leading marine conservationist storyteller is nothing short of extraordinary. We'll explore how The Marine Diaries is making waves in ocean conservation, from educating the public on marine ecosystems to launching powerful campaigns an...

On this episode of REEF Roundup, we are thrilled to host David and Brett Kettle, the innovative minds behind Flying Fish Technologies. With a combined legacy of over five decades in marine conservation, the Kettles are revolutionizing how we analyse, understand and protect coral reefs. Brett Kettle has been a formidable force in coral reef protection for several decades. His career highlights incl...

The REEF Roundup crew recently had the privilege of attending the UN Ocean Decade Conference in Barcelona. We met an incredible array of ocean heroes from scientists and policymakers to activists and innovators, all dedicated to creating a brighter future for the ocean. This special episode is a sneak peek into our experience at the conference, highlighting the key themes, discussions, and solutio...

Farah Obaidullah is the founder of The Ocean and Us, the editor of the new book The Ocean and Us. She holds a Master of Science and Bachelor of Science from Imperial College in London. With over 20 years professional experience, Farah has travelled the world, observing the beauty of the ocean and witnessing some of the most egregious practices happening at sea. Among her achievements, Farah has ex...

Meet Ellie Casement, a 23-year-old marine biologist, dive professional, and self-proclaimed 'fish geek.' Over the past year, Ellie has been immersing herself in the marine world of Roatan, Honduras, fueled by her passion for marine conservation and a prestigious Fulbright Independent Research Grant. In Roatan, Ellie's journey entailed collaborating with notable local NGOs, including th...

Brianna Bambic is a dynamic and dedicated professional currently spearheading the Field Engagement team at Allen Coral Atlas, a pioneering tool that provides high-resolution mapping and monitoring of the world's coral reefs. Her career is rooted in a profound commitment to marine conservation, particularly focusing on coral reef ecosystems. Brianna's journey in marine science began with he...

Marina Garmendia is a marine scientist and co-founder & CEO of Coralisma, a non-profit organization aimed at rebuilding coral populations in Mexico. With a background in professional diving, she recognized the urgency to address coral reef degradation. In addition to her leadership at Coralisma, Marina is deeply involved in research to improve coral restoration methods. She is a graduate resea...

Dr. Nancy Knowlton is a distinguished coral reef biologist known for her extensive work in marine science. Her academic journey began at Harvard University, from where she graduated before earning her Ph. D. from the University of California, Berkeley. Professionally, she has held esteemed positions in various reputable institutions. Early in her career, she served as a faculty member at Yale Univ...

Shelby Tomas is an experienced leader in marine conservation and restoration, serving as the CEO and Founder of the Ocean Rescue Alliance (ORA). Her academic background includes a master's degree in Marine Ecology and she is currently pursuing a Ph. D. in Marine Biology at the University of Florida. She has also been a key participant in various marine restoration projects and previously worke...

Dr. Raquel Peixoto is a leading scientist with a specialized focus on coral reef conservation. Her innovative research on probiotics investigates potential solutions to help coral reefs survive the impacts of climate change. Dr. Peixoto has led several studies in collaboration with scientists from Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah University of Science and Technology and Cornell University. The stu...

Dr. Dirk Petersen is the executive director and the founder of SECORE International (SExual COral REproduction), a non-profit organization dedicated to coral reef conservation. Stemming from Petersen’s groundbreaking research on coral reproduction that started as an initiative in 2001, he established the organization as an NPO in 2015. Petersen's innovative findings have led to the development...

Dr. Christian Wild is a German biologist and geographer, currently serving as a professor at the University of Bremen. His academic journey began with studying biology and geography at the University of Mainz and the University of Bremen, and later conducting his doctoral project at the Max Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology in Bremen. Wild's expertise lies in the study of coral reefs, f...

Join us for a fantastic interview with Zack Rago as he touches on the importance of combining science with art, outreach, and storytelling. Most ocean advocates will be familiar with Zack from his involvement in the Chasing Coral documentry. In this episode you'll learn more about what he's up to now - still pushing to save the ocean for future generations. We were honored to have him on t...