Episodes

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 t...

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 understo...

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. Suppo...

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,...

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 pop...

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 oc...

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 esse...

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 c...

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 en...

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 quest...

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 El...

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 ecosyste...

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 syst...

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 ec...

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 wa...

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 conversatio...

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 ag...