How To Protect The Ocean

How To Protect The Ocean

Dive into the Depths: Join Andrew Lewin on 'How to Protect the Ocean' – Your Gateway to Exclusive Ocean Insights! Explore the latest, uncharted realms of ocean science and conservation that you won't find anywhere else. Andrew takes you on an inspiring journey to uncover the hidden gems of oceanic discovery and initiatives. Tune in to discover how you can transform your life for a better ocean, one episode at a time. The How To Protect The Ocean is your resource to keep you informed on the latest ocean news; teach you how to speak up for the ocean; and, how you can take action to live for a better ocean. There is so much information on the ocean and the issues that are affecting it that it can be difficult to find optimism in the future of the ocean. Climate change, overfishing, plastic pollution, water pollution, and coastal development have altered the ocean in ways that have negatively changed the way we use it. The repercussions of climate change, including the ominous specter of rising sea levels, the relentless march of warming ocean temperatures, and the ominous shadow of ocean acidification, have not only altered the very fabric of our coastlines but have also conjured fiercer storms and summoned floods with growing frequency. The fossil fuel industry may whisper in your ear that the situation is insurmountable, an inescapable fate. However, this podcast is here to unveil a different narrative, one that empowers you to take action. It illuminates the path to change by casting your vote for leaders committed to implementing climate-rescuing policies and by offering invaluable insights into how each of us can shrink our individual carbon footprint. The grim reality of overfishing casts a long shadow, fueled by governmental shortcomings in the stewardship of both commercial and recreational fisheries. Within the delicate balance of our oceans, every fish population possesses a threshold - a point at which the relentless harvest of fishermen begins to erode their numbers. The management of these aquatic resources is a formidable task, as the elusive currents of the sea often defy easy tracking. Furthermore, the menace of illegal, unregulated, and unreported (IUU) fishing looms large in many nations, adding to the crisis. Yet, a glimmer of hope shines through the depths. A beacon for responsible consumption emerges in the form of seafood programs, guiding conscientious individuals toward choices that safeguard our oceans. By heeding these programs, you not only savor the delights of sustainable seafood but also become an informed guardian of marine ecosystems. The relentless scourge of plastic pollution has unleashed an epidemic of death upon the denizens of our oceans. It's a ruthless killer, claiming the lives of hundreds of thousands of marine mammals, majestic sharks, grandiose fish, gentle sea turtles, and the graceful sea birds that soar above. The malevolence of this crisis knows no bounds, with microplastics infiltrating even the remotest depths of the ocean and etching their presence along every coastline. To mount a defense against this ecological cataclysm, the clarion call for action echoes on the international and national stages. It beckons governments far and wide to adopt resolute policies, wielding the power to outlaw the menace of single-use plastics and demanding the meticulous detoxification of our supply chains. In this grand battle to safeguard our seas, the fight against plastic pollution knows no borders. The ominous specter of water pollution looms large, a consequence of our thoughtless disposal into the arteries of our planet – our streams, rivers, lakes, and oceans. This callous act reverberates, sending shockwaves through the intricate ecosystems of our coastal havens, where the likes of coral reefs, resilient mangroves, and swaying seagrasses thrive. But alas, this intrusion is not benign; it bears the capacity to corrode and dismantle these vital sanctuaries, the very lifeblood of countless fish and the steadfast guardians of our vulnerable shorelines. Yet, amidst the unsettling tide of pollution, there emerges a ray of hope. Through individual resolve and visionary government policies harnessed with cutting-edge technology, we can stem this toxic deluge. Water treatment systems stand as stalwart guardians, armed with the ability to sift out the insidious nutrients that fuel destructive algal blooms. The power to heal our waters and preserve the sanctity of our coastal treasures lies within our grasp. Coastal development, driven by human desires to construct homes or fortify the shoreline against erosion, represents a significant intervention in the natural order. Yet, these changes, while initially confined to the coastal zone, often send ripple effects that extend far beyond their original boundaries, casting a shadow of unintended consequences. The repercussions of altering coastlines resonate through interconnected ecosystems, occasionally triggering a cascade of events that can inflict profound harm on distant areas. In doing so, this well-intentioned transformation can unwittingly imperil the lives and livelihoods of communities residing in the wake of its impact. It is a stark reminder that our actions along the coast carry a profound responsibility, not just to the immediate environment but to the greater web of life and society that depends upon it.

Episodes

December 1, 2025 19 mins

Ocean crisis:

COP30 Belém exposed massive gaps in climate action, and the ocean will carry the burden. In this episode we break down the missing fossil fuel commitments, the weak climate finance language, and the two track political system that threatens to push ocean science into the background. These decisions matter because the ocean is already abs...

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How Deep Sea Mining could permanently disrupt the ocean's most important animal routes, and most people have never thought about it. This episode asks the critical question: what happens when mining operations collide with species that rely on vast migratory pathways to survive? We break down the science in a way that makes the stakes impossible to ignore, from whale communication and sea turtl...

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Fish Farm Clean Up reveals the hidden reality beneath a quiet coastline in Methana, Greece, where a ghost fish farm left behind more than forty tons of plastic cages, nets, metal frames, pipes, and even sunken boats. What looked peaceful on the surface hid a toxic underwater scrapyard that had been breaking apart and polluting the Saronic Gulf for years.

Shocking ...

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Whales don't get cancer as often as you might expect, and in this episode you learn how the bowhead whale's unique DNA repair system is helping scientists understand cancer prevention and healthy aging. This Arctic giant lives more than 200 years, grows to airplane size, and still avoids the runaway mutation patterns that lead to tumors in other species.

Whales do...

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Fish feed in aquaculture is at the center of a complicated global story that most people never hear about. In this episode, Andrew sits down with marine biologist and policy expert Marine Cusa to explore the hidden world of fishmeal, fish oil, feed ingredients, and the surprising connections between aquaculture, wild fisheries, West African communities, and even penguin ...

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Orcas vs Great White Sharks is more than a dramatic headline—it's a sign of how ocean ecosystems are shifting before our eyes. New drone footage shows orcas in the Gulf of California attacking and killing juvenile great white sharks in what scientists believe are nursery zones. The footage, captured in 2020 and 2022, reveals orcas flipping young sharks onto their backs, inducing tonic immobilit...

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Seagrass meadows are among the most vital yet overlooked ecosystems on our planet. In this episode of How to Protect the Ocean, Andrew Lewin explores a new 19-year study from Moreton Bay, Australia, which shows that seagrass coverage and diversity are declining over time despite short-term recovery periods. This long-term research reveals that while short-term studies might show seagrass bounci...

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Animals affected by climate change are showing us how fragile our ecosystems have become. In this episode of How to Protect the Ocean, host Andrew Lewin speaks with Dr. Helen Killeen, a marine ecologist whose research connects seabird reproduction to shifting ocean temperatures, prey diversity, and climate pressures across the northern hemisphere.

Animals affected...

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Marine Conservation Projects are driving real wins: green sea turtles downgraded to least concern in many regions, North Atlantic right whales showing a small but meaningful uptick, and a new vaquita calf sighting offering hope. In this episode I explain the common thread behind these stories, targeted local projects, science monitoring, and laws that actually get enforced, and I share practica...

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Bill Gates and Climate Change have become a trending topic after the billionaire philanthropist argued that the world is too focused on cutting carbon emissions and not focused enough on improving human welfare. In this episode, I unpack what Gates said, why it caused such a reaction, and how his argument connects to decades of work in climate justice and climate equity.

Many clim...

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October 31, 2025 12 mins

North Atlantic right whales have been teetering on the edge of extinction for decades, with fewer than 400 individuals left. But recent reports hint at a small sign of hope: the population may finally be stabilizing, or even slightly increasing. In this episode, Andrew Lewin explores what that really means.

Conservation efforts, from...

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Art and Ocean Science are merging in ways that bring new life to marine research and conservation. In this episode of How to Protect the Ocean, host Andrew Lewin speaks with the creative minds behind Ocean Networks Canada's "Surfacing Secrets" project, a groundbreaking collaboration where sculptors, theatre directors, and scientists explore how ar...

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Nova Scotia Whale Sanctuary has officially received provincial approval, marking a monumental step toward creating Canada's first ocean refuge for retired whales. In this episode of How to Protect the Ocean, Andrew Lewin explains how this decision moves the Whale Sanctuary Project closer to reality, what challenges remain before the sanctuary opens, and why this could change the way the world cares for marine mammals.

...

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AI and Water are more connected than most people realize. As artificial intelligence continues to expand, the data centres that power it are using millions of litres of water every day to stay cool. This invisible demand is creating ripple effects across our freshwater systems, and ultimately, our ocean.

In t...

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Green sea turtle conservation shows us what's possible when people, policy, and passion align. Once nearly wiped out by overharvesting and habitat loss, the green sea turtle has made an inspiring recovery after decades of global protection. In this episode, Andrew Lewin shares a deeply personal story of encountering a turtle nest in Florida with his daughters and reflects on how that moment con...

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Coral reefs suffering from climate change are no longer a warning for the future, they are happening now. A landmark scientific report reveals that warm-water reefs have already passed a tipping threshold due to global heating, leading to widespread die-offs and threatening the biodiversity and coastal protection they provide. For the millions of people who depend on reefs for food and liveliho...

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Madagascar Environment is at the center of this engaging conversation with Dr. David Ebert, a world-renowned shark scientist and co-host of Beyond Jaws. In this episode, we uncover the unique challenges and opportunities that Madagascar's marine ecosystems face, from biodiversity conservation to the pressures of unsustainable fishing.

Shark science takes on a new dimension as Dr. ...

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Vaquita stands as one of the rarest marine mammals on Earth, with fewer than 20 left in the wild. In this episode, we explore what the near-extinction of the vaquita teaches us about the future of sharks and why their survival is critical to the health of the ocean.

Sharks play an essential role in keeping marine ecosystems balanced, yet they face many of the same threats that doo...

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Marineland beluga whales remain at the center of a heated national debate after Canada's Department of Fisheries and Oceans denied the park's request to export 30 whales to a marine theme park in China. In this episode, Andrew Lewin explores the unfolding crisis, from the park's claims of financial hardship to the legal, ethical, and political questions surrounding the whales' future.

Marineland beluga wha...

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Shark conservation: All The Sharks brings you into the water with filmmakers and scientists, exploring how camera choices, site selection, and safety shape close encounters with tiger sharks, hammerheads, white sharks, and whale sharks. You will hear candid stories about reading shark behavior, managing lighting on fast passes from silky sharks, and turning footage into conservation wins that h...

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