Episodes
April 9, 2025
Dire Wolf Brought Back? The Wild Science and Ethics of De-Extinction
De-extinction is no longer just science fiction. In this episode, we dive into the controversial concept of bringing back extinct species—specifically the dire wolf—using cutting-edge genetic engineering. Inspired by the headline-grabbing efforts...
April 8, 2025
Rare Intersex Southern Right Whale Discovered Through Genetic Testing
Intersex marine mammals are an exceptionally rare topic in marine biology, and in this episode, we dive into a groundbreaking discovery of an intersex southern right whale. The whale, sampled in 1989, was recently found to possess XY chromosomes...
April 6, 2025
Why the US Might Start Deep Sea Mining (And What It Means for the Ocean)
Deep sea mining is making headlines as the United States considers allowing operations within its boundaries. In this episode, Andrew Lewin dives into a recent development involving a Canadian company, The Metals Company, that is pushing to mine the...
April 3, 2025
Seafood Laws and Ocean Justice: How Legal Frameworks Shape the Future of Fisheries
Fisheries are more than just the act of catching fish—they’re tightly woven into the fabric of science, activism, and community livelihoods. In this episode of How to Protect the Ocean, we speak with Eva van Heukelom about the many layers of...
April 1, 2025
Ocean Conservation Career Is Not A Straight Path...and that's okay
Ocean conservation careers often don’t follow a predictable path—and that’s completely normal. In this episode of How to Protect the Ocean, host Andrew Lewin shares why expecting a traditional, linear route in marine biology or conservation can...
March 30, 2025
Why Talking About the Ocean in Everyday Life Can Save It
Ocean conversations matter more than we think. In this episode of How to Protect the Ocean, Andrew Lewin explores how the simple act of bringing up marine topics in everyday conversations—with friends, at restaurants, during social gatherings—can...
March 27, 2025
How D and D Can Help with Environmental Education Through Immersive Learning
D and D can help with environmental education by creating immersive, story-driven learning experiences that engage students on a deeper level. In this episode, we speak with Dr. Andrew Thaler, who’s using Dungeons and Dragons (D&D) to teach...
March 25, 2025
Plastic Pollution Research: How Microplastics Threaten Coral Reefs and What We Can Do About It
Plastic pollution is one of the most pressing threats to our oceans today. In this episode, we explore how microplastics—tiny fragments of plastic waste—make their way into tropical marine ecosystems and cause lasting damage. Whether it’s...
March 23, 2025
How to Protect Tuna: Insights from ISSF’s Gala Moreno on Sustainable Fisheries
Global tuna fisheries are facing mounting pressure from overfishing, bycatch, and unsustainable fishing practices. Gala Moreno from the International Seafood Sustainability Foundation(ISSF) shares her expert insights on the current state of tuna...
March 20, 2025
Marine Conservation Is In Trouble — Why People Aren’t Concerned About the Ocean
Marine conservation is in trouble — and the biggest problem isn’t just pollution or overfishing. The real issue is that people are becoming disconnected from the ocean, and that lack of concern is threatening marine ecosystems worldwide. In this...
March 14, 2025
False Killer Whale Stranding in Tasmania – Why It Happened and What We Can Learn
False killer whale strandings in Tasmania are rare; however, on February 20, 2025, approximately 157 whales stranded and passed away, with at least 99 being euthanized after multiple attempts to float them back into the ocean failed. In this episode...
March 11, 2025
How the Panama Canal Expansion is Threatening Panama’s Ecosystem and Water Supply
The Panama Canal expansion allowed bigger ships to move through the canal; however, it also allowed an invasion of saltwater and saltwater fish into a freshwater lake, which threatened freshwater fish species and half of the country's drinking water....
March 9, 2025
Protecting Manta Rays from Over-Tourism in Hawaii – Martina Wing’s Mission
How is the rise in tourism affecting manta rays in Hawaii? Martina Wing shares her firsthand experience with the challenges of growing tourism and its impact on manta ray populations. Learn how Martina is working to protect these majestic creatures...
March 7, 2025
How NOAA and EPA Layoffs Threaten Environmental Research and Public Safety
In this episode of How to Protect the Ocean, we dive into the recent layoffs at NOAA and EPA, which have led to over a thousand scientists and environmental professionals losing their jobs. What does this mean for climate research, weather...
March 4, 2025
How Bahamian Music and Education Inspire Ocean Conservation
How do you get people interested in learning about the ocean? In this episode of How to Protect the Ocean, we speak with Bahamian artist and educator Javan Hunt, who combines music and education to inspire the next generation of ocean stewards....
March 3, 2025
How Much Do We Rely on Weather Forecasting? | The Truth About Weather Predictions
How much do we truly depend on weather forecasting? Whether it’s planning our daily commute, scheduling outdoor events, or making critical decisions for agriculture and disaster preparedness, we rely on meteorologists and weather models more than we...
Feb. 28, 2025
Are all protected areas in the ocean equal? A study on the bonus species protection
Are OECMs (Other Effective Area-Based Conservation Measures) just as effective as Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) in protecting biodiversity? In this episode of How to Protect the Ocean, we break down the differences, benefits, and challenges of OECMs,...
Feb. 26, 2025
The Vaquita is on the Edge of Extinction – Can Technology Save It?
The vaquita porpoise (Phocoena sinus) is the rarest marine mammal, with fewer than 10 individuals remaining in the wild. Found only in Mexico’s Gulf of California, this elusive species is critically endangered due to illegal gillnet fishing for...
Feb. 24, 2025
How Sustainable Supply Chains Are Changing Business
Discover how sustainable supply chains are transforming businesses worldwide! In this insightful interview, Christophe Girardier dives into the challenges and innovations in supply chain sustainability. From reducing carbon footprints to adopting...
Feb. 20, 2025
The Plastic Straw Ban Failed – Here’s What We Can Learn to Protect Our Oceans
The plastic straw ban was meant to be a win for the environment—but why did it fail? In this video, we break down what went wrong, why people resisted, and what behavioral science teaches us about designing better conservation campaigns. 🌊🚯...
Feb. 19, 2025
New Eco-Friendly Ice, Glice Synthetic Ice, Lower Energy Skating Alternative, Sustainable Skating Rink
Are you a figure skater, hockey player, or just love gliding on ice? ❄️ Imagine skating on a surface that feels like real ice—but with zero refrigeration and lower energy costs! ⚡🌍 In this video, we explore Glice, an innovative...
Feb. 17, 2025
Killer Whales vs. Great White Sharks: Genetic Proof of Predation! 🦈🐋
Did you know that killer whales (Orcinus orca) are taking down great white sharks (Carcharodon carcharias) in South Africa? 🦈🐋 In this video, we break down groundbreaking research that provides genetic evidence of orcas hunting and preying on...
Feb. 13, 2025
The War on Science: Why NOAA and the EPA Are Under Attack
In this episode, we explore the alarming assault on science happening within the U.S. government, specifically targeting NOAA (National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration) and the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency). Discover how these...
Feb. 12, 2025
How Storytelling Connects People and Climate Change | Tao Leigh Goffe Interview
Andrew Lewin and Tao Leigh Goffe dive deep into the intersection of storytelling, culture, and the urgent issue of climate change with renowned scholar Tao Leigh Goffe. Through an engaging conversation, we explore how storytelling serves as a bridge...