How To Protect The Ocean

A potential super El Niño is developing in the Pacific Ocean, and scientists are warning that it could have major consequences for marine ecosystems around the world. While El Niño is a natural climate pattern, stronger events can dramatically alter ocean conditions by warming surface waters and reducing the nutrients that support marine food webs. In this episode, we explore why researchers are watching this event so closely and what it could mean for the future of the ocean. One of the biggest

After 11 years of hosting How to Protect the Ocean , I wanted to take a step back and reflect on what the journey has taught me. What started as a simple passion project became a platform for ocean storytelling, science communication, and career development. Along the way, I learned lessons about persistence, networking, and creating opportunities that I never could have predicted when I published the first episode. One of the biggest takeaways is that building a career in marine science and con

What happens when one of the world’s most important ocean monitoring systems is nearly shut down? The Ocean Observatories Initiative (OOI) collects critical data on ocean temperatures, oxygen levels, currents, marine ecosystems, and climate change. Earlier this year, parts of the program faced significant cuts, raising concerns among scientists, policymakers, and ocean advocates. In this episode, we explore why researchers fought so hard to save the OOI, how the National Academies challenged the

The ocean is facing some of the biggest challenges in its history. Rising temperatures, marine heatwaves, coral bleaching, habitat loss, and overfishing continue to put pressure on marine ecosystems around the world. If you only follow the headlines, it can feel like ocean conservation is losing the battle. But hidden within a recent United Nations ocean report is a surprising reason for optimism. While ocean health continues to decline in many areas, the systems designed to protect the ocean ar

For decades, Indigenous communities were often asked whether they approved of projects happening in their territories. But a different question is now emerging: why should they not own part of those projects? In this episode of How to Protect the Ocean , Andrew Lewin looks at the shift from consultation to Indigenous ownership in ocean conservation, fisheries, infrastructure, and ocean technology. From the Mi’kmaq ownership stake in Clearwater Seafoods to the future of ocean data, monitoring, an

Pilot whales rely on sound for nearly every aspect of their lives. They use vocalizations to communicate with family members, coordinate movements, find food, and navigate through their environment. But what happens when the ocean becomes so noisy that those sounds are drowned out? In this episode of How to Protect the Ocean , we explore new research suggesting that commercial shipping noise in the Strait of Gibraltar may be interfering with the ability of pilot whales to hear and communicate wi

In this episode of How to Protect the Ocean, Andrew Lewin looks at the Trump administration’s move to reopen protected marine sanctuary waters to commercial fishing and asks a bigger question: who actually benefits when public ocean resources are opened up? The episode breaks down why marine protected areas matter, how fisheries recover when protections stay in place, and why local and Indigenous fishing communities may not be the ones who gain when large commercial fleets get access. Support In

A viral underwater video of a great white shark in the Mediterranean Sea recently captured the attention of people around the world. For many viewers, the footage seemed to show a shark appearing in a place where it shouldn’t be. But the truth is much more interesting. Great white sharks have been documented in the Mediterranean for decades, yet they remain one of the most mysterious and least understood apex predators in the region. In this episode of How to Protect the Ocean, Andrew breaks dow

Ocean conservation is often treated like an impossible problem, but the truth is simpler: when strong laws are created, enforced, and guided by science, ocean protection works. In this episode of How to Protect the Ocean, Andrew Lewin looks at the unglamorous but powerful role of legislation in ocean conservation. From Canada’s Oceans Act and marine protected areas to the U.S. Endangered Species Act, Marine Mammal Protection Act, and Magnuson-Stevens Act, this episode shows how laws can help rec

Canada has a rare chance to become a global ocean conservation leader, but the path is not simple. In this episode of How to Protect the Ocean, Andrew Lewin breaks down Canada’s proposed $3.8 billion nature strategy, what it could mean for marine protected areas, and why ocean protection matters as development pressures grow. From pipelines and shipping to offshore oil and gas, fisheries conflicts, climate change, and Arctic access, Canada’s ocean future is being shaped right now. This episode l