How To Protect The Ocean

Epizody

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  Marineland Canada Shuts Down: The Beluga Whale Rescue Begins 23.07.2026 18min

  Marineland Canada is officially closing, and this week the park began moving its remaining beluga whales out of Niagara Falls. Six belugas were flown out on a single flight this week, four to the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago and two to SeaWorld San Antonio, marking the start of a rescue effort that has been years in the making. Andrew walks through how the park got here, from its 1961 founding through decades of protests, whistleblower allegations, OSPCA charges, and a failed 2025 attempt to export the belugas to a Chinese aquarium. The episode traces the full timeline: the 2012 Toronto Star exposé that first exposed conditions at the park, trainer-turned-whistleblower Phil Demers and his years-long legal battle with Marineland, the 2019 passage of Canada's Free Willy Bill, and the deaths of Kiska the orca and Mary Holler, the park's last owner, which left the facility's future uncertain. Andrew also digs into why Marineland's plan to send the belugas to China was blocked and why sending them to accredited US aquariums, while still captivity, is being treated as the safer near-term option. Andrew shares his own take on the ethics of the situation, arguing that owning captive animals comes with an obligation to care for them regardless of a park's finances, and explains why release into open ocean is not a realistic option for whales that have never hunted on their own. He also covers the ongoing effort to build a whale sanctuary in Nova Scotia and the funding gap still standing in its way. Takeaways Marineland Canada is closing and moved its first six belugas to US aquariums this week The park's collapse followed over a decade of OSPCA charges, whistleblower allegations, and public protest A planned export of the belugas to a Chinese aquarium was denied by Canada's fisheries minister Belugas raised in captivity cannot be released directly into open ocean since they have never hunted on their own The Whale Sanctuary Project in Nova Scotia still lacks federal permits and full construction funding The land Marineland sits on is expected to be sold for development once the animals are relocated Support Independent Podcasts: https://www.speakupforblue.com/patreon Need help with your ocean non-profit, company, or project? Get the help you need with Pisces Oceans Inc.: https://www.piscesoceans.ca Connect with Speak Up For Blue Website: https://bit.ly/3fOF3Wf Instagram: https://bit.ly/3rIaJSG TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@speakupforblue Twitter: https://bit.ly/3rHZxpc YouTube: www.speakupforblue.com/youtube    
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  American Samoa Said No to Deep-Sea Mining. The US Government Doubled The Area 22.07.2026 20min

  The US government is moving toward the world's first commercial deep-sea mining lease sale, and it's happening in federal waters off American Samoa. In this episode, Andrew breaks down how we got here: a California startup's 2025 request to mine polymetallic nodules, the Request for Information process that followed, and the 75,000-plus public comments that came in during the 30-day comment window, with 80 to 98% opposed to mining. Despite that opposition, and despite a standing moratorium from American Samoa's own governor, the federal government expanded the proposed mining area from 18 million to 33 million acres and pushed the lease sale forward, currently projected for August 2026. Andrew walks through who's actually bidding on this, including Impossible Metals, The Metals Company, and a handful of smaller entrants, and digs into what the peer-reviewed science says about the risks. That includes a 2025 Nature Ecology & Evolution study showing a 37% drop in seafloor animal density after a single test mining pass, a Nature study finding measurable impacts still detectable four decades after a 1970s test site, and research on the socioeconomic stakes for Pacific fisheries and tuna-dependent economies. The episode closes with the question that matters most: do American Samoans actually want this? Spoiler, no, based on every available measure of public sentiment, though the picture isn't entirely uniform. Andrew also unpacks the deeper pattern here, indigenous Pacific communities being asked to shoulder the risk of an untested industry with little say in the outcome. Takeaways: Sign a petition opposing the lease sale Follow and support Earthjustice, Greenpeace, and NRDC as they track legal action Follow Future Swell for ongoing updates If you're a US voter, remember this fight runs through the midterms Support Independent Podcasts: https://www.speakupforblue.com/patreon Need help with your ocean non-profit, company, or project? Get the help you need with Pisces Oceans Inc.: https://www.piscesoceans.ca Connect with Speak Up For Blue Website: https://bit.ly/3fOF3Wf Instagram: https://bit.ly/3rIaJSG TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@speakupforblue Twitter: https://bit.ly/3rHZxpc YouTube: www.speakupforblue.com/youtube  
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  Ghost Nets: Why They Keep Happening and What's Actually Working 21.07.2026 16min

  A viral TikTok about fish aggregation devices drifting into marine protected areas got Andrew thinking about a topic he hasn't covered in a while: ghost nets. In this episode, he breaks down what ghost nets actually are, the scientific term for them (ALDFG, or abandoned, lost, or otherwise discarded fishing gear), and why they're a growing, well-documented problem from the ocean surface all the way down to the deep seafloor. Andrew walks through what the peer-reviewed research shows: entanglement patterns across whales, seals, sea turtles, and coral reefs, a personal diving story off Big Cayman where he watched a ghost net get cut free from a loggerhead sea turtle, and the real economic and technical challenges holding back solutions like ropeless fishing gear and biodegradable nets. He also covers where progress is actually happening, from derelict net removal programs to circular economy recycling models. This isn't a "just stop fishing" episode. Andrew makes the case that ghost nets are a solvable, adaptable problem, but one that needs more research funding, cheaper technology, and stronger enforcement to get there. Takeaways from this episode: Ghost nets (ALDFG) are found from the ocean surface to the deep seafloor, and they keep catching and killing marine life for as long as they remain in the water. The animals most affected span whales, seals, sea turtles, and coral reef species, not just fish. Solutions like ropeless gear and biodegradable nets are real and improving, but cost and fisher adoption remain the biggest barriers. Stopping fishing altogether isn't a realistic fix. The path forward is better gear design, more funding, and stronger enforcement. Listeners can support the fisheries and programs that are already investing in gear-loss prevention and removal. Support Independent Podcasts: https://www.speakupforblue.com/patreon Need help with your ocean non-profit, company, or project? Get the help you need with Pisces Oceans Inc.: https://www.piscesoceans.ca Connect with Speak Up For Blue Website: https://bit.ly/3fOF3Wf Instagram: https://bit.ly/3rIaJSG TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@speakupforblue Twitter: https://bit.ly/3rHZxpc YouTube: www.speakupforblue.com/youtube  
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  What the Wildfire Smoke in Your Sky Has to Do With the Ocean 20.07.2026 24min

  For a week straight, Andrew watched his own sky turn orange outside Toronto as smoke from nearly 900 wildfires burning across Canada, most of them following the boreal forest from the east coast to Northwestern Ontario, drifted south into the US and back again. He walks through what actually happened on the ground: which towns and First Nations were evacuated, how bad the air quality got (Toronto briefly had the worst AQI in the world), and why northwestern Ontario, not a hugely populated area but home to vulnerable First Nations communities, bore the brunt of it. Then he digs into why this keeps happening. Most of Ontario's fires this season were sparked by lightning, not arson, despite conspiracy theories claiming otherwise (arson accounts for well under a quarter of cases). An active El Nino is drying things out further, and climate change is intensifying the underlying heat and dryness that let these fires spread. Andrew also connects the dots to the ocean directly: the boreal forest is one of the planet's biggest carbon sinks, and when it burns that stored carbon heads into the atmosphere, where roughly a quarter of it eventually gets absorbed by the ocean, driving further acidification. The back half of the episode gets political. Ontario slashed its emergency firefighting budget from $271 million spent in 2025-26 down to $150 million budgeted for 2026-27, even as Premier Doug Ford defends the province's readiness. Meanwhile, US President Trump and several senators have floated tariffs and sanctions against Canada over the smoke, a move Andrew calls scientifically and diplomatically backwards given how often Canada and the US send firefighters and equipment across the border to help each other. He closes with concrete steps listeners can take, from checking air quality indexes to contacting elected officials about wildfire funding. Takeaways From the Episode Nearly 900 wildfires were burning across Canada as of July 16, most following the boreal forest belt into Northwestern Ontario. Vulnerable First Nations communities and small towns bore the brunt of evacuations, some residents had to self-evacuate by boat or air with little warning. Most fires were lightning-caused, not arson, arson accounts for well under a quarter of cases despite online conspiracy theories. Burning boreal forest releases stored carbon into the atmosphere, and roughly a quarter of human-caused CO2 emissions get absorbed by the ocean, tying wildfires directly to ocean acidification. Ontario cut its baseline emergency firefighting budget from $271 million spent to $150 million budgeted for the coming year, a proactive-versus-reactive funding problem. US tariffs and sanctions threats against Canada over the smoke ignore how often the two countries help each other fight fires, including the loss of a Canadian firefighter in Colorado this year. Individual actions still matter: check air quality indexes before extended time outdoors, follow evacuation orders immediately if you're in a fire zone, keep a 72-hour go bag ready, and contact your elected officials if wildfire underfunding frustrates you. Support Independent Podcasts: https://www.speakupforblue.com/patreon Need help with your ocean non-profit, company, or project? Get the help you need with Pisces Oceans Inc.: https://www.piscesoceans.ca Connect with Speak Up For Blue Website: https://bit.ly/3fOF3Wf Instagram: https://bit.ly/3rIaJSG TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@speakupforblue Twitter: https://bit.ly/3rHZxpc YouTube: www.speakupforblue.com/youtube  
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  100 Years of Data Reveals Why Sharks Keep Stealing Your Catch 17.07.2026 11min

  If you've ever felt a hard strike, fought a fish, and reeled up nothing but a head, you already know what shark depredation feels like. In this episode, Andrew breaks down a new study that tracked shark depredation across the entire Atlantic coast, from Maine to Texas and the US Caribbean, going back a full century to figure out why it's happening more now than ever before. The study found at least 51 targeted fish stocks affected and 22 shark species involved, with bull sharks and sandbar sharks showing up most often. But the real story isn't that sharks are out of control. It's that decades of shark conservation, starting with the 1993 US shark management plan, actually worked, and a recovering shark population combined with more anglers on the water means more overlap, and more overlap means more bite-offs. Andrew unpacks the concept of "dead discards," the fish that die during depredation but never get counted in stock assessments, and why that creates a blind spot in fishery management. The episode closes with concrete, same-day actions anglers (and non-anglers) can take, from changing fishing tactics to reporting depredation events to NOAA, so both fish and shark populations can keep being managed well. Support Independent Podcasts: https://www.speakupforblue.com/patreon Need help with your ocean non-profit, company, or project? Get the help you need with Pisces Oceans Inc.: https://www.piscesoceans.ca Connect with Speak Up For Blue Website: https://bit.ly/3fOF3Wf Instagram: https://bit.ly/3rIaJSG TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@speakupforblue Twitter: https://bit.ly/3rHZxpc YouTube: www.speakupforblue.com/youtube  
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  What Lives in the Middle of the Ocean? 16.07.2026 12min

  A thousand meters down off the coast of Brazil, a deep-sea robot caught something almost no one has ever filmed alive: a giant open ocean octopus calmly eating a jellyfish. That moment, captured by the Schmidt Ocean Institute's ROV SuBastian aboard the research vessel Falkor (too), was part of a wider expedition that turned up more than two dozen species new to science, from glowing worms to glass squid to strange colonial siphonophores. The discovery points to something bigger than one expedition. The ocean's midwater, the vast zone between the sunlit surface and the seafloor, is by volume the largest living space on the planet, and we've barely looked at it. It's also doing quiet, essential work: midwater animals help drive the biological carbon pump, moving millions of tons of carbon from the surface into the deep ocean every year and helping regulate the climate we all live in. That same midwater is now facing a decision. Deep-sea mining companies want to extract metals from the seafloor below it, and the sediment plumes that the process kicks up could drift for enormous distances through this fragile, newly discovered ecosystem. The rulebook that would allow commercial mining hasn't been finished yet, and dozens of countries, including Canada and Brazil, have called for a pause. This episode breaks down what was found, why it matters, and what you can actually do about it this week. Support Independent Podcasts: https://www.speakupforblue.com/patreon Need help with your ocean non-profit, company, or project? Get the help you need with Pisces Oceans Inc.: https://www.piscesoceans.ca Connect with Speak Up For Blue Website: https://bit.ly/3fOF3Wf Instagram: https://bit.ly/3rIaJSG TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@speakupforblue Twitter: https://bit.ly/3rHZxpc YouTube: www.speakupforblue.com/youtube  
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  Oil Companies Knew Coral Reefs Would Dissolve. In 1978. 15.07.2026 13min

  In 1978, an Exxon scientist asked a question in capital letters: were the oceans dissolving coral reefs? By 1982, Exxon's own scientists had the answer, in writing. So did Shell by 1986. This episode traces a newly published Oxford University study that dug through more than fourteen thousand pages of fossil fuel industry documents and found that the world's biggest oil and gas companies understood, decades before the public did, exactly how their product would wreck coral reefs. We walk through what the industry knew and when, how a funded think tank report in 2012 was built to look like an official government climate assessment while contradicting the industry's own internal science, and where coral reefs stand today after the largest global bleaching event ever recorded. Along the way, we cover the coral chemistry that makes reefs vulnerable to rising CO2, the internal Exxon and Shell documents at the center of the Oxford study, and how this paper trail is now showing up as evidence in real courtrooms, including a landmark January 2026 ruling in The Hague. This isn't a story to leave you paralyzed. It closes with four concrete actions you can take this week, from sharing what you now know to pushing the emissions lever that actually moves the needle. If you care about coral reefs, or you just want the receipts on one of the biggest corporate cover-ups tied to the ocean, this episode is for you. Support Independent Podcasts: https://www.speakupforblue.com/patreon Need help with your ocean non-profit, company, or project? Get the help you need with Pisces Oceans Inc.: https://www.piscesoceans.ca Connect with Speak Up For Blue Website: https://bit.ly/3fOF3Wf Instagram: https://bit.ly/3rIaJSG TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@speakupforblue Twitter: https://bit.ly/3rHZxpc YouTube: www.speakupforblue.com/youtube  
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  Nearly 2,000 Volunteers Just Answered the Ocean's Biggest Question 14.07.2026 11min

  For more than a decade, almost 2,000 volunteers have walked California's beaches with clipboards, counting every swimmer, surfer, angler, and boat they see. It sounds simple, maybe even a little strange. But that pile of data, more than a million tally marks collected between 2012 and 2020, just answered a question marine scientists have debated for years: do marine protected areas actually work in the real world, not just on paper? In this episode, we walk through what researchers found when they finally pulled that decade of volunteer data together. We look at how the MPA Watch program trains everyday people to track human activity on the coast, how scientists stripped out the noise to find the real signal, and what the numbers say about compliance, recreation, and enforcement inside no-take zones. We also connect this human data to a separate decade of underwater fish surveys, and to the famous Cabo Pulmo recovery story, to show why watching people matters as much as watching fish. The takeaway is simple but important. Ocean protection does not have to mean locking people out, and it does not happen by accident. It works when people believe in it, follow it, and watch over it, and this episode gives you a few concrete ways to be one of those people, whether that means joining MPA Watch yourself, learning your local rules, or just reporting what you see. Support Independent Podcasts: https://www.speakupforblue.com/patreon Need help with your ocean non-profit, company, or project? Get the help you need with Pisces Oceans Inc.: https://www.piscesoceans.ca Connect with Speak Up For Blue Website: https://bit.ly/3fOF3Wf Instagram: https://bit.ly/3rIaJSG TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@speakupforblue Twitter: https://bit.ly/3rHZxpc YouTube: www.speakupforblue.com/youtube  
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  The Silent Damage Behind Your Canned Tuna 13.07.2026 5min

  Right now, somewhere in the open ocean, a raft the size of a small table is drifting with no one steering it. It's called a fish aggregating device, or FAD, and the tuna industry drops thousands of them into the water every year to lure fish to the surface. A new study published in Science Advances tracked where these rafts actually end up, and the answer is unsettling: they've likely drifted through more than half of the world's marine protected areas by total area, with over 6,300 strandings recorded across 174 protected areas in 53 countries and territories. When a drifting FAD washes onto a reef, its trailing net snags and breaks coral, then breaks down into plastic pollution in the exact places set aside to stay clean. The nets keep "ghost fishing" long after anyone's watching, entangling turtles and sharks. Nearly 500 at-risk species live in the protected areas where these strandings happen, and the cleanup burden usually falls on small island communities who never saw a dollar of profit from the tuna these devices caught. Andrew breaks down what the study found, why protected areas can't defend against gear that doesn't recognize boundaries, and the one label on a can of tuna that tells you whether you're funding this problem or not. It's a same-day, ten-second habit that pushes back on the exact fishing method behind the damage. Support Independent Podcasts: https://www.speakupforblue.com/patreon Need help with your ocean non-profit, company, or project? Get the help you need with Pisces Oceans Inc.: https://www.piscesoceans.ca Connect with Speak Up For Blue Website: https://bit.ly/3fOF3Wf Instagram: https://bit.ly/3rIaJSG TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@speakupforblue Twitter: https://bit.ly/3rHZxpc YouTube: www.speakupforblue.com/youtube  
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  The Hidden Solar Power Plant Living on Coral Reefs 10.07.2026 7min

  Scientists have uncovered an incredible secret hiding in plain sight on coral reefs. Some tropical sea sponges are able to harvest sunlight through microscopic algae living inside their tissues, giving them a surprising source of energy. It is a discovery that challenges what we thought we knew about one of the ocean's oldest animals. In this episode, we explore how these ancient filter feeders use a partnership with algae to survive and thrive in nutrient-poor tropical waters. You'll learn why this relationship is similar to the one that helps corals build reefs and why researchers believe sponges play a much bigger role in reef ecosystems than previously recognized. Sometimes the most important discoveries come from the animals we pay the least attention to. If we want to protect coral reefs, we need to understand every species that helps keep them functioning. This new research reminds us that even the simplest-looking organisms can have extraordinary abilities and may be far more important than we ever imagined. Follow the podcast for more weekday ocean news that helps you better understand our blue planet. Support Independent Podcasts: https://www.speakupforblue.com/patreon Need help with your ocean non-profit, company, or project? Get the help you need with Pisces Oceans Inc.: https://www.piscesoceans.ca Connect with Speak Up For Blue Website: https://bit.ly/3fOF3Wf Instagram: https://bit.ly/3rIaJSG TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@speakupforblue Twitter: https://bit.ly/3rHZxpc YouTube: www.speakupforblue.com/youtube  
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  What Happens to Your Water Before the Coast Floods? 09.07.2026 10min

  Sea level rise isn't always dramatic. Long before homes disappear beneath the waves, coastal communities can lose something even more essential: safe drinking water. In this episode, we explore how saltwater is quietly moving into freshwater supplies across coastal Bangladesh and why this hidden impact deserves far more attention. Using a recent Mongabay commentary as a starting point, you'll learn how rising seas, changing rivers, and human activities are combining to reshape one of the world's largest river deltas. The consequences extend beyond drinking water to agriculture, public health, local economies, and the future of entire communities. It is a reminder that climate change often begins with changes we cannot immediately see. This isn't just Bangladesh's story. Coastal communities around the world are becoming more vulnerable to saltwater intrusion as sea levels continue to rise. Understanding these early warning signs helps us better prepare for a future where protecting freshwater may become just as important as protecting our shorelines. Source: https://news.mongabay.com/2026/07/sea-level-rise-is-ruining-coastal-bangladesh-with-salty-water-commentary/ Support Independent Podcasts: https://www.speakupforblue.com/patreon Need help with your ocean non-profit, company, or project? Get the help you need with Pisces Oceans Inc.: https://www.piscesoceans.ca Connect with Speak Up For Blue Website: https://bit.ly/3fOF3Wf Instagram: https://bit.ly/3rIaJSG TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@speakupforblue Twitter: https://bit.ly/3rHZxpc YouTube: www.speakupforblue.com/youtube    
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  The World Just Promised Billions, But Will the Ocean Benefit? 08.07.2026 9min

  The world just pledged more than $6.4 billion for ocean conservation at the 2026 Our Ocean Conference, but history tells us that big announcements do not always lead to meaningful action. In this episode, we unpack what was actually announced, who made the commitments, and why the headline number is only part of the story. You'll learn why this year's conference in Kenya was especially significant and what makes these commitments different from legally binding agreements. We also explore the question that rarely gets asked: how do we know whether these promises will ever become real conservation outcomes? From sustainable fisheries and marine protected areas to climate resilience and the blue economy, we examine where the money is intended to go and what could stand in the way of success. If you've ever wondered whether international ocean conferences are worth paying attention to, this episode is for you. Finally, we discuss why accountability matters more than announcements, and what to watch for over the coming months as organizations begin turning promises into action. With the next Our Ocean Conference heading to Halifax, this conversation offers a timely look at how global cooperation can help protect our ocean if the commitments are actually delivered. Support Independent Podcasts: https://www.speakupforblue.com/patreon Need help with your ocean non-profit, company, or project? Get the help you need with Pisces Oceans Inc.: https://www.piscesoceans.ca Connect with Speak Up For Blue Website: https://bit.ly/3fOF3Wf Instagram: https://bit.ly/3rIaJSG TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@speakupforblue Twitter: https://bit.ly/3rHZxpc YouTube: www.speakupforblue.com/youtube  
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  What Dead Seabirds Are Trying to Tell Us About the Pacific Ocean 07.07.2026 8min

  Thousands of seabirds are washing ashore along California's coast, starving, exhausted, and unable to find enough food. While the images are heartbreaking, scientists say the birds are only the visible symptom of a much larger problem unfolding beneath the surface. In this episode, we explore why seabirds are dying and what their struggle reveals about the health of the Pacific Ocean. You'll learn how marine heat waves are disrupting one of the world's most productive ocean ecosystems by reducing nutrients, shrinking fish populations, and breaking apart the marine food web. We also look at why seabirds act as early warning indicators, often showing us that something is wrong long before the full impact reaches fisheries, marine mammals, or coastal communities. With another powerful El Niño expected to develop, these warning signs may become even more important in the years ahead. Understanding what is happening today can help us prepare for tomorrow and remind us why protecting ocean ecosystems means protecting the communities and wildlife that depend on them. Listen now to discover why the fate of seabirds matters to all of us. Support Independent Podcasts: https://www.speakupforblue.com/patreon Need help with your ocean non-profit, company, or project? Get the help you need with Pisces Oceans Inc.: https://www.piscesoceans.ca Connect with Speak Up For Blue Website: https://bit.ly/3fOF3Wf Instagram: https://bit.ly/3rIaJSG TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@speakupforblue Twitter: https://bit.ly/3rHZxpc YouTube: www.speakupforblue.com/youtube  
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  Who Really Decides Canada's Climate Future? 06.07.2026 8min

  Canada has admitted it is no longer on track to meet its 2030 climate targets, but the reasons go far beyond domestic politics. In this episode, we explore how changing economic priorities are reshaping Canada's approach to climate action. The surprising twist is that many of these changes begin outside Canada's borders. New U.S. tariffs and shifting trade policies are putting pressure on Canada's economy, forcing leaders to rethink where to invest and what to prioritize. As economic policy changes, climate policy often changes with it. We follow that chain of events to understand why Canada's emissions outlook has changed and what it means going forward. Finally, we connect the dots to the ocean. Slower climate progress means greater risks for marine ecosystems, coastal communities, and the industries that depend on healthy oceans. If you've ever wondered how international politics can influence ocean conservation, this episode brings the whole picture together. Support Independent Podcasts: https://www.speakupforblue.com/patreon Need help with your ocean non-profit, company, or project? Get the help you need with Pisces Oceans Inc.: https://www.piscesoceans.ca Connect with Speak Up For Blue Website: https://bit.ly/3fOF3Wf Instagram: https://bit.ly/3rIaJSG TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@speakupforblue Twitter: https://bit.ly/3rHZxpc YouTube: www.speakupforblue.com/youtube  
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  The Hidden Ocean World Most of Us Will Never See 03.07.2026 52min

  Most of us will never visit the deep ocean, yet it covers the majority of our planet and supports life in ways we're only beginning to understand. In this episode, Andrew Lewin wraps up the Surfacing Secrets series with Ocean Networks Canada by exploring why the deep sea remains one of Earth's greatest frontiers. You'll discover how scientists are uncovering hidden ecosystems that could reshape our understanding of the ocean. Andrew is joined by Monica Peltz of Ocean Networks Canada and Heidi Gartner from Fisheries and Oceans Canada to discuss what it takes to study places thousands of meters below the surface. They share how cutting-edge technology, education, and collaboration are making deep-sea science more accessible than ever before. Their work is helping students, researchers, and the public experience discoveries that were impossible just a generation ago. The conversation also explores why deep-sea exploration matters far beyond scientific curiosity. Understanding these hidden ecosystems helps inform conservation decisions, strengthens ocean stewardship, and reminds us how much of our planet is still waiting to be explored. By bringing these unseen worlds to light, we can make better choices about protecting the ocean for future generations. Support Independent Podcasts: https://www.speakupforblue.com/patreon Need help with your ocean non-profit, company, or project? Get the help you need with Pisces Oceans Inc.: https://www.piscesoceans.ca Connect with Speak Up For Blue Website: https://bit.ly/3fOF3Wf Instagram: https://bit.ly/3rIaJSG TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@speakupforblue Twitter: https://bit.ly/3rHZxpc YouTube: www.speakupforblue.com/youtube  
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  What We Don't Know About the Ocean Could Cost Us Everything 02.07.2026 6min

  How do you protect something you barely understand? In this episode, we explore why ocean exploration is much more than discovering strange creatures or mapping the seafloor. Every marine protected area, conservation plan, and fisheries decision begins with one essential ingredient: knowledge. You'll discover how scientists collect the information that guides conservation, from mapping underwater canyons to identifying coral gardens and sponge reefs that most people will never see. We also look at what happens when important ecosystems are damaged before we even know they exist, and why exploration gives decision makers the evidence they need to protect the right places. This episode is the final part of our deep-sea exploration series leading into tomorrow's special interview with experts from Fisheries and Oceans Canada and Ocean Networks Canada. If you've ever wondered why ocean science matters to your everyday life, this conversation will show you why understanding the ocean is the first step toward protecting it. Support Independent Podcasts: https://www.speakupforblue.com/patreon Need help with your ocean non-profit, company, or project? Get the help you need with Pisces Oceans Inc.: https://www.piscesoceans.ca Connect with Speak Up For Blue Website: https://bit.ly/3fOF3Wf Instagram: https://bit.ly/3rIaJSG TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@speakupforblue Twitter: https://bit.ly/3rHZxpc YouTube: www.speakupforblue.com/youtube    
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  How Do Scientists Explore a Place Humans Can't Survive? 01.07.2026 12min

  The deep ocean is one of the most extreme places on Earth. Crushing pressure, freezing temperatures, and total darkness make it impossible for humans to explore for long, yet scientists continue to make incredible discoveries thousands of meters below the surface. So how do they do it? In this episode, you'll discover the remarkable technology that makes deep sea exploration possible. From remotely operated vehicles and autonomous underwater robots to multibeam sonar, artificial intelligence, and environmental DNA, these tools are transforming how we study one of the least explored parts of our planet. You'll also learn why mapping the ocean often leads to discoveries scientists never expected to find. This episode is part three of our four-part series leading up to Friday's interview with experts from Ocean Networks Canada and Fisheries and Oceans Canada. By the end, you'll understand why technology is helping scientists ask bigger questions, make new discoveries, and build the knowledge needed to better protect Canada's deep ocean and the rest of our blue planet. Map the Gaps: https://www.mapthegaps.org/ Support Independent Podcasts: https://www.speakupforblue.com/patreon Need help with your ocean non-profit, company, or project? Get the help you need with Pisces Oceans Inc.: https://www.piscesoceans.ca Connect with Speak Up For Blue Website: https://bit.ly/3fOF3Wf Instagram: https://bit.ly/3rIaJSG TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@speakupforblue Twitter: https://bit.ly/3rHZxpc YouTube: www.speakupforblue.com/youtube    
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  The Deep Sea Isn't Barren, Here's Why That Changes Everything 30.06.2026 7min

  Most people picture the deep sea as a dark, empty place where almost nothing can survive. The truth is far more surprising. Thousands of meters below the surface lives an extraordinary world filled with ancient corals, giant sponges, glowing jellyfish, strange fish, and species that scientists are still discovering today. In this episode, you'll learn how life has adapted to crushing pressure, freezing temperatures, and complete darkness. You'll also discover why deep-sea ecosystems are some of the most important habitats on Earth, supporting biodiversity, fisheries, and even helping us better understand how life itself can evolve under extreme conditions. The more scientists explore the deep sea, the more they realize how much remains unknown. That mystery is exciting, but it also makes protecting these fragile ecosystems more important than ever. If you've ever wondered what really lives in the deepest parts of our ocean, this episode will change the way you think about the world beneath the waves. Support Independent Podcasts: https://www.speakupforblue.com/patreon Need help with your ocean non-profit, company, or project? Get the help you need with Pisces Oceans Inc.: https://www.piscesoceans.ca Connect with Speak Up For Blue Website: https://bit.ly/3fOF3Wf Instagram: https://bit.ly/3rIaJSG TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@speakupforblue Twitter: https://bit.ly/3rHZxpc YouTube: www.speakupforblue.com/youtube  
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  We've Explored Space Better Than Our Own Ocean, How Is That Possible? 29.06.2026 7min

  How can we know more about the Moon and Mars than the bottom of our own ocean? It sounds impossible, but it is true. In this episode, we begin a special series on deep ocean exploration by uncovering why so much of our planet remains a mystery and why that matters more than ever. The deep ocean plays a critical role in regulating Earth's climate, supporting marine life, and helping sustain the ecosystems we depend on every day. Yet scientists have only explored a tiny fraction of it because of crushing pressure, complete darkness, and the enormous scale of the seafloor. You'll discover why exploring the deep sea is far more than an adventure; it is essential for making better decisions about conservation. This episode sets the stage for an upcoming interview with experts from Oceans Network Canada and the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada who are helping reveal Canada's hidden underwater world. Before we can protect the ocean, we first have to understand it. And that journey begins here. Support Independent Podcasts: https://www.speakupforblue.com/patreon Need help with your ocean non-profit, company, or project? Get the help you need with Pisces Oceans Inc.: https://www.piscesoceans.ca Connect with Speak Up For Blue Website: https://bit.ly/3fOF3Wf Instagram: https://bit.ly/3rIaJSG TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@speakupforblue Twitter: https://bit.ly/3rHZxpc YouTube: www.speakupforblue.com/youtube  
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  What Happens to Ocean Science During a War? 26.06.2026 10min

  What happens to marine conservation when a humanitarian crisis unfolds? In this episode of How to Protect the Ocean, we explore the remarkable story of marine scientist Mohammed Abu Daya, whose work studying endangered giant devil rays has continued despite the immense challenges of living and working in Gaza. His story reminds us that conservation is ultimately about people as much as it is about wildlife. You'll learn why giant devil rays are among the Mediterranean's most vulnerable species, why scientists still know so little about them, and how local research can shape global conservation efforts. We also look at the unique challenges facing marine ecosystems during times of conflict and why protecting biodiversity cannot simply be put on hold. This episode is about resilience, science, and hope. It highlights the dedication of researchers who continue gathering critical information under extraordinary circumstances and shows why every piece of knowledge matters for protecting our ocean. Follow How to Protect the Ocean for your next weekday ocean news update. Support Independent Podcasts: https://www.speakupforblue.com/patreon Need help with your ocean non-profit, company, or project? Get the help you need with Pisces Oceans Inc.: https://www.piscesoceans.ca Connect with Speak Up For Blue Website: https://bit.ly/3fOF3Wf Instagram: https://bit.ly/3rIaJSG TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@speakupforblue Twitter: https://bit.ly/3rHZxpc YouTube: www.speakupforblue.com/youtube