Episodes

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 po...

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 o...

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 ...

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 g...

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 re...

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 ess...

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 ...

Bottom trawling is one of the most common fishing methods in the world, but what if it costs society more than it earns in profit? In this episode of How to Protect the Ocean, we look at a recent study on bottom trawling in Europe that found the total societal costs can be far higher than the profits generated, in some cases up to 90 times higher. Much of that hidden cost comes from carbon released when heavy fishing gear scrapes across the seafloor. Industrial fishing is not just about what e...

Ocean research helps us understand marine life, but what happens when the tools we use to study animals disturb the very creatures we are trying to protect? This episode looks at a powerful question in marine science: can we study the ocean without harming it? Whale sharks and other marine animals are often studied using tools like tags, drones, boats, and tracking technology. These methods can reveal migration routes, behavior, and conservation needs, but they also raise important ethical ques...

Blue carbon could be one of the most powerful climate solutions we already have, so why is it still missing from so many climate plans? In this episode of How to Protect the Ocean, we look at how mangroves, seagrasses, salt marshes, and other coastal ecosystems store carbon, protect coastlines, and support ocean health. Ocean climate solutions are often treated as secondary to land-based actions like planting trees, but coastal habitats can store carbon in sediments for long periods of time. Th...

Whale strandings are heartbreaking, but what happens when the whales are not sick? In this episode of How to Protect the Ocean, we look at a recent mass pilot whale stranding in Scotland, where many of the animals appeared to be healthy before they ended up on shore. Pilot whales are highly social animals, which means one wrong turn can become a disaster for the entire pod. As prey shifts closer to shallow coastal waters, whales may follow their food into places where navigation becomes harder ...

Sea Cucumbers are disappearing in parts of the ocean, and most people have no idea why that matters. These strange, soft-bodied animals might not look important, but they play a critical role in keeping marine ecosystems healthy and functioning. Ocean Ecosystems rely on sea cucumbers to recycle nutrients, clean sediments, and support the balance of life on the seafloor. When they are removed through overfishing, the consequences can ripple across entire habitats, affecting biodiversity and long...

NOAA affects your daily life more than you think, from the weather forecasts you check to the seafood you eat, yet most people have no idea how important it really is. In this episode, we break down what NOAA actually does, why it matters for your safety, food, and environment, and what could happen if funding cuts weaken its ability to operate. Ocean science plays a critical role in predicting hurricanes, managing fisheries, protecting marine wildlife, and understanding climate patterns like E...

Ocean exploration may sound like a niche science topic, but it affects far more than research ships and submarines. If most of the ocean remains poorly mapped and rarely observed, how can we protect habitats, predict hazards, discover new species, or understand climate change? In this episode, we break down why exploring the ocean still matters right now. NOAA ocean science plays a major role in uncovering what happens below the surface. From mapping the seafloor to discovering deep-sea ecosyst...

NOAA marine wildlife protection affects whales, sea turtles, dolphins, seals, and endangered ocean species in ways most people never see. In this episode, we break down how one agency helps prevent extinctions, protects habitats, responds to strandings, and enforces laws that keep marine wildlife alive. Ocean conservation is not only about beach cleanups or personal choices. It also depends on science, rescue teams, habitat monitoring, fisheries rules, and long-term public systems. If those sys...

NOAA seafood safety affects more than most people realize. The seafood in your grocery store or on your restaurant plate may rely on NOAA science, inspections, fisheries data, and monitoring systems that help keep oceans productive and supply chains accountable. In this episode, we break down why this often-overlooked agency matters to everyday consumers. Seafood traceability is not just about labels. It is about knowing where fish comes from, whether it was caught legally, and whether marine e...

NOAA helps protect millions of people before hurricanes, floods, tornadoes, and tsunamis hit, but most people never realize how much they rely on it. In this episode, we break down the hidden systems behind weather forecasting, emergency alerts, and disaster preparedness, and why cuts to NOAA could have consequences far beyond the ocean. Natural Disasters are becoming more intense in many regions, which makes accurate forecasting more important than ever. Better models, satellites, buoys, and w...

Who really controls the future of the ocean, and why does progress so often feel slow? In this episode, Andrew speaks with Sarah Federman about the hidden systems behind environmental harm, corporate accountability, and why everyday people are often left carrying decisions they never made. You’ll learn why protecting the ocean is bigger than personal choices, how public pressure can create tipping points for change, and why collective action helps turn frustration into momentum. This conversati...

Ocean Conservation felt like it was moving forward, so why does it suddenly feel like everything is being undone? In this episode, Andrew Lewin breaks down why environmental progress rarely happens in a straight line, and why setbacks do not always mean failure. If you have felt discouraged by policy rollbacks, delayed protections, or repeated fights over the same issues, this episode is for you. Marine Protection often moves in waves. History shows that accountability rises, falls, and rises a...

Why do simple choices like buying groceries, using plastic, or ordering dinner feel so loaded? In this episode of How to Protect the Ocean, we unpack the hidden systems that push environmental responsibility onto consumers instead of solving problems where they start. If you’ve ever felt guilty trying to “do the right thing,” this episode is for you. Consumer choices matter, but they were never meant to carry the full weight of ocean conservation, climate action, or ethical supply chains. We ex...

Caring about the ocean should feel meaningful, so why does it often feel exhausting instead? In this episode, we unpack why so many people experience eco-anxiety, ocean overwhelm, and the sense that nothing they do matters. You’ll learn why “do your part” messaging can backfire when collective problems are treated like personal failures. More importantly, you’ll hear what research and real-world experience show actually helps: community, collective action, and finding people who care alongside ...

Antarctica may feel distant, frozen, and disconnected from everyday life, but what happens there can shape sea level rise, ocean circulation, climate systems, and the future health of marine ecosystems around the world. In this episode of How to Protect the Ocean, part of the Surfacing Secrets: Explore the Ocean, Know the Planet series with Ocean Networks Canada, we go behind the scenes of an international mission to install real-time ocean monitoring systems in one of the hardest places on Eart...

Antarctic glaciers are melting, but the real story is not just about ice disappearing. It is about what happens next, and how fast those changes can impact sea levels, coastlines, and ecosystems around the world. Glacier collapse is not a slow, steady process. In some cases, it can happen rapidly, triggered by warming oceans, weakening ice shelves, and shifting climate patterns. Scientists are now racing to understand how unstable these systems really are and what it means for the future. In t...