How To Protect The Ocean

What You Think About Cold Water Oceans Is Probably Wrong 05.06.2026 49mnt

Cold water oceans do not always get the same attention as coral reefs and tropical beaches, but they are full of incredible life, beauty, and ecological importance. In this episode of How to Protect the Ocean, Andrew Lewin speaks with Kirsti Burnett about why cold and temperate marine ecosystems deserve more love, curiosity, and protection. From Nova Scotia's eelgrass beds and coastal inlets to blue sharks, mola mola, leatherback sea turtles, North Atlantic right whales, and cold water kelp forests, this conversation celebrates the ocean environments that many people overlook. The episode also explores why local knowledge, science communication, and personal connection are essential for helping people care about the ocean close to home. Join Kirsti and I (and the Pisces Oceans Team at 1440 Bedford Highway, Bedford, Nova Scotia, on June 7th, 2026, from 9am-11am to talk all things oceans. 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

How One Puddle Can Hold an Entire Ocean World 04.06.2026 8mnt

Tide pools may look like simple puddles along the shoreline, but they are tiny ocean ecosystems filled with fish, crabs, snails, sea stars, worms, algae, and other hidden marine life. In this episode of How to Protect the Ocean, Andrew Lewin explains why tide pools are one of the best ways to experience the ocean without a boat, scuba gear, or expensive equipment. These small pools reveal how much life exists right at our feet, and why slowing down is often the best way to discover it. You will learn how tide pools support biodiversity, why they help coastal species survive between tides, and how they can inspire curiosity in kids, families, and anyone who wants to reconnect with the ocean. 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

Why Canada Matters to the World's Largest Sea Turtle 03.06.2026 6mnt

Leatherback sea turtles are usually associated with warm tropical beaches, but some of the world's largest sea turtles travel thousands of kilometers to cold Canadian waters each year. Why? Jellyfish. In this episode of How to Protect the Ocean, Andrew Lewin explains why Atlantic Canada is an important feeding destination for leatherback sea turtles, how cold water ecosystems support huge bursts of life, and why these northern waters matter more than many people realize. 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

The Shark That Turns Fear Into Fascination 02.06.2026 5mnt

Blue sharks are one of the most beautiful and misunderstood predators in the ocean. In this episode of How to Protect the Ocean, we explore how this sleek, cold water shark can change the way people think about sharks, especially when they see one off the coast of Atlantic Canada. Blue sharks travel enormous distances, follow ocean conditions, and play an important role in healthy marine ecosystems. They are predators, but they are also ambassadors for a better understanding of sharks. This episode looks at why sharks belong in the ocean, why cold Canadian waters are full of surprising life, and why fear can turn into fascination when people meet the right species. 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

The Cold Water Fish That Looks Dead, But Isn't 01.06.2026 9mnt

Ocean sunfish are one of the strangest fish on Earth. They can look like a giant floating dinner plate, drift sideways at the surface, and appear almost lifeless, but their strange behaviour is part of an incredible survival strategy. In this episode of How to Protect the Ocean, Andrew Lewin explores why the mola mola, also known as the ocean sunfish, spends time in cold Canadian waters. These waters may not look tropical or crystal clear, but they are packed with plankton, jellyfish, nutrients, and life. That productivity attracts whales, turtles, seabirds, sharks, and even one of the heaviest bony fish on the planet. This episode is a reminder that cold water oceans are not boring. They are full of surprises, strange animals, and signs of healthy food webs hiding in plain sight.

How Do You Protect an Ocean Nobody Owns? 29.05.2026 1j 11mnt

High Seas Treaty | Ocean Governance | Marine Protection How do you protect an ocean that belongs to everyone and no one at the same time? In this episode of How to Protect the Ocean, Andrew Lewin speaks with Rebecca Hubbard, Director of the High Seas Alliance, about one of the most important ocean agreements in history: the High Seas Treaty. The high seas cover nearly half of Earth's surface and contain some of the planet's most important ecosystems. Yet for decades, there has been no comprehensive way to create marine protected areas, assess environmental impacts, or coordinate conservation efforts in waters beyond national borders. Rebecca explains how the treaty came together, why countries are racing to ratify it, what happens once it enters into force, and the challenges of turning a global agreement into real protection. We also discuss marine protected areas, enforcement, biodiversity conservation, and why the next few years could determine the future of ocean governance. If you've ever wondered who is responsible for protecting the ocean beyond national waters, this episode is for you. Listen now to learn why the High Seas Treaty could become one of the most important conservation tools of the century.

The Hidden Fight Behind the High Seas Treaty 28.05.2026 8mnt

The High Seas Treaty took nearly 20 years to negotiate, not because countries disagreed that the ocean matters, but because ocean protection becomes much harder when money, power, access, and fairness are involved. In this episode of How to Protect the Ocean, we look at why protecting the high seas is so politically difficult. From industrial fishing fleets and marine genetic resources to enforcement, ratification, and accountability, this story shows why global ocean conservation is never just about science. The treaty creates a framework for protecting biodiversity beyond national borders, but the real test is what happens next. Will countries turn the agreement into real action, or will it become another symbolic promise?

Will the High Seas Treaty Actually Change Anything? 27.05.2026 10mnt

High Seas Treaty implementation is now the real test for ocean conservation. The agreement was historic, but the hardest part was never getting countries to celebrate the deal. The real challenge is what happens after the headlines disappear. In this episode of How to Protect the Ocean, Andrew Lewin looks at whether the High Seas Treaty can actually change anything for biodiversity beyond national waters. The treaty creates a legal pathway for marine protected areas on the high seas, but enforcement, funding, political commitment, and accountability will determine whether those protected areas become meaningful or symbolic. High seas conservation is not just about drawing lines on a map. It is about whether countries are willing to monitor activity, reduce illegal fishing, share marine genetic resources fairly, and treat the ocean as a shared responsibility instead of an unlimited resource. Listen to the full episode. Follow How to Protect the Ocean for weekday ocean science updates. 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

Can High Seas Protected Areas Actually Work? 26.05.2026 10mnt

High seas protection sounds powerful, but can marine protected areas actually work thousands of kilometres from shore? In this episode of How to Protect the Ocean, Andrew Lewin breaks down why creating protected areas beyond national waters is historic, but also incredibly difficult. The episode explores the difference between paper parks and real protection, why enforcement matters more than most people realize, and how satellite monitoring, AIS tracking, Global Fishing Watch, political will, and long-term funding could determine whether the High Seas Treaty becomes a turning point or just another promise on paper. 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

Who Actually Owns the Ocean? 25.05.2026 10mnt

High seas conservation matters because nearly half of the planet lies beyond any one country's control. In this episode of How to Protect the Ocean, we ask a deceptively simple question: who actually owns the ocean? Andrew breaks down what the high seas are, why international waters have historically been treated like a free-for-all, and why that approach no longer works in a world of industrial fishing, deep-sea mining interests, global shipping, and climate change. This episode explains why the high seas matter to tuna, sharks, whales, sea turtles, global food systems, and climate stability, and why the High Seas Treaty could become one of the most important ocean protection tools of our time. 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

What Happens If Canada Runs Out of Forage Fish? 22.05.2026 1j 1mnt

Forage fish may be small, but they hold Canada's ocean food web together. In this episode of How to Protect the Ocean, Andrew Lewin speaks with Jack Daly, marine scientist at Oceana Canada, about the new report Little Fish, Big Foundation and what it reveals about the state of forage fish across Canada. These tiny fish, including capelin, herring, mackerel, sardines, and anchovies, feed whales, seabirds, cod, salmon, sharks, and coastal communities. But many stocks are depleted, poorly understood, or managed without the long-term planning needed to rebuild abundance. This conversation looks at why forage fish matter, how overfishing affects the entire ocean food web, why some stocks may not recover if action comes too late, and what Canada can do to protect the small fish that so many species depend on. Listen to the full episode to understand why protecting tiny fish may be one of the biggest steps toward rebuilding ocean abundance. 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

The Tiny Fish Holding the Ocean Together Are at Risk 20.05.2026 8mnt

Small fish like sardines, anchovies, herring, and capelin may not get much attention, but they quietly power entire ocean ecosystems. In this episode of How to Protect the Ocean, we explore why forage fish are some of the most important species in the sea and how climate change could disrupt the food web in ways scientists are only beginning to understand. As oceans warm and ecosystems shift, the abundance and location of these small fish are changing. That matters because whales, salmon, tuna, seabirds, cod, and countless marine predators depend on them for survival. If forage fish decline, the impacts could ripple through fisheries, coastal communities, and ocean biodiversity worldwide. This episode explains why these overlooked species matter more than most people realize, what scientists are seeing in the data, and why protecting the smallest fish in the ocean may be one of the biggest conservation priorities of the future. 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

The Tiny Fish Whales Cannot Live Without 20.05.2026 8mnt

Forage fish are some of the most important animals in the ocean, but most people barely know they exist. Sardines, anchovies, herring, capelin, and other small schooling fish support whales, seabirds, salmon, tuna, and commercial fisheries. In this episode of How to Protect the Ocean, Andrew Lewin explains why forage fish are often overlooked, why their abundance matters more than people realize, and how protecting the ocean means protecting food webs, not just the famous species we love. 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

What Happens When We Fish the Ocean's Food Supply? 19.05.2026 9mnt

Forage fish may be small, but they help hold the ocean food web together. Species like sardines, anchovies, herring, capelin, and sand lance feed whales, seabirds, salmon, cod, tuna, and many other predators. In this episode of How to Protect the Ocean, Andrew Lewin explains why fishing these small fish for fishmeal, fish oil, aquaculture feed, livestock feed, pet food, and supplements can create major ripple effects across marine ecosystems. The big question is not only whether forage fish populations can survive fishing pressure. It is whether the ocean can survive losing too much of the food that keeps predators alive. 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

The Tiny Fish Holding the Ocean Together 18.05.2026 8mnt

Forage fish may be small, but they help power the entire ocean food web. Species like sardines, anchovies, herring, capelin, and sand lance feed whales, seabirds, tuna, salmon, and many other marine predators. In this episode of How to Protect the Ocean, Andrew Lewin explains why these overlooked fish matter so much, what happens when they decline, and why industrial fishing, climate change, and weak ecosystem-based fisheries decisions can put entire marine ecosystems at risk. Protecting the ocean is not only about saving the biggest animals. Sometimes, it starts with protecting the smallest fish. 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

Why Ocean Nonprofits Keep Struggling to Raise Money 15.05.2026 39mnt

Ocean conservation funding is one of the biggest challenges facing nonprofits today. In this episode of How to Protect the Ocean, Andrew Lewin speaks with nonprofit consultant James Misner about why so many mission-driven organizations struggle to raise money, even when their work is urgent and important. James explains why grants alone are not enough, why donors need to see the human connection behind ocean conservation, and why storytelling, relationships, and clear communication matter just as much as the science. This conversation is essential for ocean nonprofits, conservation professionals, science communicators, and anyone trying to build long-term support for protecting the ocean. Connect with James: Website: https://thekiposgroup.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesmisner/ 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

The People Saving the Ocean Are Burning Out 14.05.2026 6mnt

Ocean conservation is often framed as hopeful, inspiring, and mission-driven. But behind the scenes, many scientists, advocates, educators, and communicators are dealing with burnout, financial instability, emotional exhaustion, and the pressure to stay optimistic while ocean problems keep getting worse. In this episode of How to Protect the Ocean, we look at the emotional cost of trying to save the ocean. From temporary contracts and unstable funding to social media pressure and the personal grief of watching ecosystems decline, conservation work can take a serious toll on the people doing it. This episode asks an important question: if protecting the ocean is long-term work, why are so many of the people doing that work still forced into unsustainable careers? 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

Why Good Ocean Science Still Doesn't Lead to Action 13.05.2026 10mnt

Ocean science can tell us what is happening to marine ecosystems, fisheries, climate impacts, and protected areas, but that information does not always reach the people who need it most. In this episode of How to Protect the Ocean, Andrew Lewin looks at the communication gap between researchers, policymakers, media, industry, and the public. The problem is not always a lack of science. Often, it is that the science moves slowly, social media moves instantly, and decision-makers do not always receive clear, accessible information in time to act. This episode explores why scientific papers can be difficult for the public to access, how misinformation spreads faster than careful research, and why ocean conservation needs stronger science communication, storytelling, and public engagement to turn knowledge into action. 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

Are Ocean Scientists Becoming Fundraisers Just to Survive? 12.05.2026 10mnt

Ocean conservation depends on science, but what happens when marine scientists spend more time chasing funding than doing the research itself? In this episode of How to Protect the Ocean, we look at the hidden financial pressure behind ocean conservation. Research vessels, field expeditions, monitoring programs, satellite tools, underwater robotics, staff, permits, and long-term analysis all cost money, and funding is becoming harder to secure. We also explore why communication is becoming essential for scientists and conservation organizations. Storytelling, public trust, media, podcasts, social media, and digital strategy are no longer side projects. They may be the difference between a conservation project surviving or disappearing. 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

Why Saving the Ocean Still Runs Out of Money 11.05.2026 12mnt

Ocean conservation is a global effort worth billions, so why do so many marine scientists, nonprofits, and conservation groups still feel like they are constantly running out of money? In this episode of How to Protect the Ocean, Andrew Lewin breaks down why ocean conservation often operates grant to grant, donation to donation, and year to year. He explains how unstable funding affects marine protected areas, research, staffing, outreach, and long-term planning. The episode also explores why communication is becoming part of conservation infrastructure. In today's funding landscape, the organizations that can tell their story clearly often have a better chance of attracting donors, partners, and public support. 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