The Speak Up For Blue Podcast

Gulf Coast communities and oil drilling are once again at the center of a national decision, and the stakes could not be higher. A new US offshore oil drilling plan proposes expanded lease sales in the Gulf of Mexico, including areas close to Florida that many thought were protected. This episode asks a simple but urgent question: who benefits from these decisions, and who bears the long-term cost when something goes wrong? Gulf of Mexico offshore drilling has a long history of environmental damage, economic disruption, and broken promises. Scott Eustis from Healthy Gulf explains how drilling threatens fisheries, tourism, coastal ecosystems, and the communities that depend on them. Drawing from science and lived experience, he connects today's policy decisions to lessons learned from past disasters, including Deepwater Horizon, and explains why recovery is still not complete more than a decade later. Protect the Gulf of Mexico is not just a slogan, it is a call grounded in science, justice, and community voic

Should We Be Mining the Ocean Floor is a question that sounds futuristic, but the decisions are being made right now, quietly, and with consequences that could last for centuries. Governments and corporations are moving closer to extracting minerals from the deepest parts of the ocean, even though we barely understand the ecosystems that exist there or how damage might ripple through the planet. Deep-sea mining risks go far beyond technology and minerals. This episode breaks down what deep-sea mining actually is, who is pushing it forward, and why international and US processes are advancing despite major scientific uncertainty and strong community opposition. One surprising and emotional insight from this episode is that some deep-sea ecosystems take millions of years to form, yet could be destroyed in a single mining operation, with no realistic way to restore them. International seabed governance is at a turning point, and what happens next will shape how the ocean is treated for generations. You will lear

Coastal Economy and Tourism face a serious threat as the US government moves forward with a plan to open more than one billion acres of ocean to offshore oil and gas drilling, a decision that could impact beaches, fisheries, tourism jobs, and coastal communities for decades. This episode explains why this proposal matters now and how it could reshape life along the coasts of California, Alaska, and the Gulf of Mexico. Offshore oil drilling is often framed as an economic benefit, but this conversation reveals a very different reality. Pete Stauffer from the Surfrider Foundation breaks down how tourism, recreation, and fishing support millions more jobs than oil and gas, and why a single spill can shut down beaches, fisheries, and local businesses for months or even years. Ocean conservation becomes deeply personal in this episode when Pete shares how communities still feel the impacts of oil spills years later, including business owners who lost income, beaches closed for days, and volunteers stepping up to do

Wikie and Keijo Orcas are the last two captive orcas in France, and a major government decision may finally give them a path out of concrete tanks, but the clock is ticking. France has officially backed the Whale Sanctuary Project in Nova Scotia as their future home, yet this announcement does not mean an immediate rescue. In this episode, we break down what France's move really means, what still has to happen, and why these two orcas remain in limbo despite years of public pressure. Whale Sanctuary Project Nova Scotia represents one of the most ambitious attempts to move captive whales into a more natural ocean environment, but approval, funding, construction, and international permits all stand between promise and reality. We look closely at the remaining hurdles, including Canada's regulatory role, the sanctuary's readiness timeline, and why political support does not always translate into rapid action for animals already suffering. France captive orcas have become a global symbol of the failure of marine

US oil and gas drilling is once again at the center of a high-stakes decision that could shape America's coastlines, marine life, and coastal communities for decades. This episode asks a critical question: should the U.S. lock itself into new offshore drilling just as climate risks and ocean damage are accelerating, or is there still time to choose a safer path for the ocean and future generations? Offshore drilling impacts go far beyond fuel production, and Oceana campaign director Joseph Gordon explains why oil spills are not short-term disasters but long-term crises. One of the most emotional insights from this episode is his description of oil spills as invisible clouds that marine mammals and cleanup workers are forced to breathe, causing health impacts that last decades after the headlines fade. These are consequences most people never see, but communities continue to live with. Public comment offshore drilling still has power, even in difficult political moments. Joseph shares how bipartisan opposition

Deep sea hydrothermal vents reveal a hidden world where life thrives without sunlight, forcing scientists to rethink how ecosystems can exist in extreme heat, pressure, and darkness. Nearly two kilometers beneath the Pacific Ocean, superheated fluids erupt from the seafloor at Endeavour, creating environments that challenge everything we thought we knew about life on Earth and how it survives. Deep-sea hydrothermal vents are not isolated deep ocean curiosities, they actively influence the chemistry of the entire Pacific Ocean. In this episode, scientists explain how minerals and iron released at Endeavour can be traced thousands of kilometers across the ocean, fueling productivity far from the vents themselves and connecting deep ocean processes to surface ecosystems in surprising ways. Ocean Networks Canada enables this discovery through one of only two cabled deep-sea observatories in the world, allowing scientists to monitor volcanic activity, chemistry, and biodiversity in real time. This episode explores

Climate Solutions for the Ocean are urgently needed as warming seas, biodiversity loss, and ecosystem collapse accelerate faster than most people realize, and one of the most powerful tools may be hiding just beneath the waves. In this episode, Andrew Lewin sits down with Scott Bohachyk, Director of Seaforestation at Ocean Wise, to explore how kelp forests function as underwater life support systems for the ocean, supporting fisheries, stabilizing coastlines, and helping ecosystems recover from climate stress. Kelp forests have declined by up to 50 percent globally, with some regions losing more than 90 percent of their kelp after marine heatwaves and ecosystem imbalances. Scott explains how Ocean Wise is actively restoring kelp forests in British Columbia through hands-on seaforestation, partnerships with First Nations, innovative nursery techniques, and standardized monitoring that tracks biodiversity recovery and ecosystem health over time. One of the most surprising insights from this conversation is that

Tree-Free Products are disrupting industries that have relied on the same wasteful materials for more than a century, and the shift is happening faster than most people realize. In this episode, we explore how Emerald Ecovations produces over 370 sustainable alternatives without cutting down a single tree, dramatically reducing carbon emissions, water use and ocean-bound pollution. Ralph Bianculli shares why legacy companies resist change and how younger decision-makers are pushing corporate purchasing toward genuine sustainability. Sustainable business is more than a buzzword; it is the measurable impact behind everyday products. Ralph explains why some corporations save 7,000 to 8,000 trees every year simply by switching to tree-free materials. He also breaks down how soil protection, water reduction and raw material sourcing shape the environmental benefits of their products, and why education is often a bigger barrier than cost.  Environmental impact reporting becomes the emotional centerpiece of this con

Mass penguin die off explained, a crisis that wiped out ninety five percent of some African penguin colonies, raises a heartbreaking question: how does a thriving species fall to fewer than ten thousand breeding pairs and almost no one sees it happening? This episode uncovers the chain reaction that pushed an entire population toward collapse, from vanishing sardines to the brutal timing of the molt that left tens of thousands of penguins starving. One of the most emotional discoveries in the research was that more than sixty thousand penguins died simply because they did not have enough body fat to survive a three week fast.   African penguin population collapse reveals a deeper story about the ocean. Sardines and anchovies shifted out of reach as warming waters changed plankton patterns, leaving penguins stranded at colonies they could not abandon. Even as conservation groups step in with nest protection, rescues, and fishing closures, the core problem remains that the food web itself has moved. Without a r

Marine Wildlife Victory raises a powerful question: what does it take to finally protect some of the ocean's most threatened giants, and why did it take this long? In this episode, you will hear how manta rays, devil rays, and several shark species faced years of intense pressure from overfishing and international trade, and why the world finally agreed they needed stronger protection. The emotional turning point comes when we uncover that manta ray gill plates were so valuable in global markets that populations were declining faster than conservationists could respond. Shark Conservation reveals how Appendix II regulations helped stabilize some species but were not strong enough to stop the decline. You will learn how international demand for shark fins pushed species like hammerheads and threshers to the brink, and why Appendix I status is such a game changer. One of the most surprising insights is how early, modest protections actually proved the concept that stronger measures work, giving global leaders t

Northern Right Whale crisis: For years, scientists and advocates have watched this critically endangered species decline due to ship strikes, fishing gear entanglement, and rapid ocean change. This episode asks a crucial question: Does the first population increase in years signal real recovery or just a temporary pause in a long-term crisis, and what must change now to keep that number rising? Whale conservation stories: Oceana campaigner Nora Ives brings clear insights into how monitoring efforts and shifting whale behavior shape our understanding of their future. She explains how storytelling has become a powerful tool for connecting people with an animal most will never see in person. She also shares a moving moment from the field, the unexpected birth of a calf from an older mother, a surprising and emotional reminder that hope can appear when least expected. Oceana advocacy: The episode explores vessel slowdowns, fishing gear solutions, and the policy gaps that still threaten these whales. Listeners wil

Supermarket tuna raises a disturbing question: What's behind your canned tuna? In this episode, you uncover the hidden human cost of the global tuna industry, including the devastating story of fisherman Deby Putra Bunanda, whose health collapsed after months at sea supplying tuna for major supermarket brands. His experience reveals a deeper and darker truth about forced labor, long deployments without oversight, and the human suffering behind one of the world's most common foods. The surprising emotional insight: Bunanda returned home barely able to walk or speak after seven months at sea. Sustainable fishing sounds simple on a label, but the reality is far more complicated. We look at the environmental toll of industrial tuna fleets, from destructive fishing methods like FADs to the bycatch of sharks, turtles, and juvenile tuna. We examine why certification labels, including MSC, often fail to guarantee true sustainability or ethical labor practices. You will also hear how ISSF pushes the industry forward w

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 absorbing the heat and carbon that our climate system cannot handle.  Climate justice: Indigenous communities and coastal nations called for a stronger voice at COP30 but were pushed aside, even during protests inside the venue. One of the most surprising moments came when Indigenous leaders were removed from the room while speaking about losing their homes and food security, something never mentioned in the global headlines.  Coastal restoration: From seagrass meadows to mangroves and kelp forests, this episode explains why ocean based climate solutions are being ignored at the highest levels of global climate policy. You will hear how we can scale these habitats t

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 turtle navigation to seabird feeding routes and shark migrations. Whales: Our guest, Dr. Andrew Thaler, explains how mining doesn't just damage the seafloor. It sends noise, light, sediment, and pollution across the entire water column. The most surprising takeaway is that animals living near the surface could suffer major impacts from mining occurring thousands of meters below them, simply because their survival depends on calm, uninterrupted travel corridors. It turns the deep sea into a threat zone rather than a sanctuary. Ocean conservation: This conversation exposes a major gap in global mining policy. The focus is alwa

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 Footage from this cleanup shows how abandoned aquaculture sites become long-term pollution hotspots. The divers, Healthy Seas Foundation, and the Athanasios C. Laskaridis Charitable Foundation worked together to cut, lift, tow, and haul massive amounts of debris out of the ocean, revealing how ghost farms threaten coastal ecosystems, fish habitats, and water quality. Marine Conservation efforts like this show why cross-sector collaboration matters. From recycling nets into ECONYL yarn to educating local communities and cleaning beaches, this operation highlights how recovery, restoration, and better oversight must become the global standard for aquac

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 don't get cancer at high rates because their cells repair DNA damage with remarkable accuracy, and recent studies show that bowhead whales have powerful repair proteins like CIRBP that might someday guide cancer research. You will hear how this repair strategy works, why it matters for humans, and why protecting long-lived marine mammals also protects the scientific insights they carry. Help fund a new seagrass podcast: https://www.speakupforblue.com/seagrass Join the Undertow: https://www.speakupforblue.com/jointheundertow Connect with Speak Up For Blue Website: https://bit.ly/3fOF3Wf Instagram: https://bit.ly/3rIaJSG TikTok: https://www

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 populations in Antarctica.  Marine breaks down what actually goes into the pellets fed to farmed fish, why transparency is lacking in the supply chain, and how her genetics research is uncovering the real species being used in fish feed. The conversation reveals why feed matters for sustainability, human nutrition, local livelihoods, and the future of aquaculture as demand for seafood continues to grow. Whether you're new to the topic or already deep in fisheries science, this episode opens the door to a critical but overlooked part of marine conservation.  Help fund a new seagrass podcast: https://www.speakupforblue.com/seagrass Join t

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 immobility, and surgically removing their livers—a precise and efficient hunting technique that may reshape predator-prey dynamics. For years, scientists have known about great white shark nurseries, but what defines a "true nursery" has always been debated. These new observations raise deeper questions: Are orcas expanding their hunting grounds, or are juvenile sharks moving into new, warmer waters due to climate change? If orcas continue targeting young sharks, could this affect the recovery and stability of great white populations across the Pacific? In this episode, Andrew explores the science, the controversy, and what thes

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 bouncing back after storms or floods, the bigger picture tells a story of gradual loss and ecological transformation. The episode also highlights why this decline matters: seagrass meadows are nurseries for fish, homes for turtles and dugongs, and major carbon sinks that help buffer climate impacts. Andrew connects the findings to global conservation lessons and introduces The Seagrass Effect, a new project and podcast dedicated to sharing research, restoration stories, and action opportunities for protecting seagrass ecosystems worldwide. Do you want more seagrass content? Help Fund the Seagrass Effect Podcast: https://www.s

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 by climate change, from seabirds in the Arctic to those in the Pacific, serve as living indicators of ocean health. Helen explains how changes in prey diversity and warming oceans disrupt seabird breeding success, what this means for food webs, and why protecting biodiversity can help stabilize marine ecosystems. She also shares her journey from high-school science teacher to marine researcher, revealing how curiosity and adaptability are essential traits for anyone working to protect our planet. Link to study: https://www.nature.com/articles/s43247-025-02717-z Link to Farallone Institute: https://www.faralloninstitute.org/ Link to seabird page: htt