The Speak Up For Blue Podcast

Seaspiracy completely dismissed dolphin-safe labels on tuna as corrupt and a failure; however, they did not look at the differences between the labels and the regulations in various countries.  The US has regulations for companies that say their tuna is dolphin-safe and it stems from their Marine Mammal Protection Act and an Amendment that goes back to 1990. The program decreased the mortality of dolphins from 130,000, in 1987, to less than 1,000 in 2018 (mortality has been less than 1,000/year since 2011).  These numbers are only in the US and it does not include the problems internationally, but it is progress and has saved hundreds of thousands of dolphins. Links To Article: 1) https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/article/how-dolphin-safe-is-canned-tuna 2) https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/article/how-to-pick-most-dolphin-safe-tuna 3) https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/retrieveECFR?gp=&SID=0aa891101f20fbb49bed1f1430d45014&r=PART&n=50y10.0.1.3.2#sp50.10.216.h Want To Talk Oceans? Joi

Seaspiracy has generated discussions on every social media platform, which can be considered a good thing if you want more people to discuss reducing/eliminating overfishing in the Ocean. However, the types of conversations that I have seen and in which I participated have shown me a few things that we, as a conservation society of newly inspired activists and marine scientists/conservationists, need to mend before we can move forward and do what we set out to do.  I go over some of the conversations that I have had on Clubhouse, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram and where I see we can turn these conversations into action.  Follow the podcast if you are interested in learning more about fisheries and what you can do to help reduce/eliminate overfishing.  Want To Talk Oceans? Join the Speak Up For Blue Facebook Group: http://www.speakupforblue.com/group. Speak Up For Blue Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/speakupforblue/ Speak Up For Blue Twitter: https://twitter.com/SpeakUpforBlue Check out the Shows on the

There is no doubt in my mind that Seaspiracy got many facts wrong and misinformed the viewers on many aspects of the fishing industry. They entangled some facts with misinformation or misrepresentation that will cause people to look for the wrong solutions.  They could have made this film so much better by showing some of the solutions that people could support. So here are 3 things I think Seaspiracy should have covered in their documentary.  

Seaspiracy was released on Netflix last week and it was disappointing at best. It tried to "enlighten" viewers about overfishing with a simple question: "Can Fishing Ever Be Sustainable?" and it got the answer wrong because fishing is a complex issue in the Ocean.  Lack of research and misleading interviews threw a number of great organizations under the bus and touted an organization notorious for using violence to get their results.  I provide my review of this documentary in this episode.  Want To Talk Oceans? Join the Speak Up For Blue Facebook Group: http://www.speakupforblue.com/group. Speak Up For Blue Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/speakupforblue/ Speak Up For Blue Twitter: https://twitter.com/SpeakUpforBlue Check out the Shows on the Speak Up For Blue Network: Marine Conservation Happy Hour Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/2k4ZB3x Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2kkEElk Madame CuriosityApple Podcasts: https://apple.co/2xUlSax Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2V38QQ1 ConCiencia Azul: Apple Podcasts: https:/

I wanted to put together an episode of one of my favourite species in the Ocean, the Sea Turtle. There are 7 Sea Turtle Species and they are all on the Endangered Species List for many countries. They face many dangers around the world and at different scales.  I asked my good friend and colleague Dr. Nathan Robinson about the issues and conservation needs of Sea Turtles in 2021 and he provided me with some great points.  Listen to the episode where I discuss the top Ocean issue that Sea Turtles are facing and what we can do to stop the effects of these issues.  Follow Dr. Nathan Robinson for more information on Sea Turtles: https://www.instagram.com/wild.blue.science/ Leatherback Sea Turtle Trust: https://leatherback.org/ SEE Turtles: https://www.seeturtles.org/ Want To Talk Oceans? Join the Speak Up For Blue Facebook Group: http://www.speakupforblue.com/group. Speak Up For Blue Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/speakupforblue/ Speak Up For Blue Twitter: https://twitter.com/SpeakUpforBlue Check out the Sh

In order to manage the Ocean we must manage the People. We, the people, need to change the way we buy things to better protect the Ocean. One way is to move toward a Zero Waste lifestyle, but how do we do that. What do we need to do to move to a Zero Waste Lifestyle? We ask for help. And today, I ask Jeanine Sinclair about her journey to going to Zero Waste. Jeanine's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zerowaste.bcgirl/ Want To Talk Oceans? Join the Speak Up For Blue Facebook Group: http://www.speakupforblue.com/group. Speak Up For Blue Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/speakupforblue/ Speak Up For Blue Twitter: https://twitter.com/SpeakUpforBlue Check out the Shows on the Speak Up For Blue Network: Marine Conservation Happy Hour Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/2k4ZB3x Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2kkEElk Madame CuriosityApple Podcasts: https://apple.co/2xUlSax Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2V38QQ1 ConCiencia Azul: Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/2k6XPio Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2k4ZMMf Dugongs & Seadra

Over 20 years ago, a global project called the Census of Marine Life observed a number of marine species migrating long distances across Oceans. It was new data that technology allowed us to see through satellite tags, a new tool at the time.  Satellite tags have advanced in technology over the past 20 years and that has allowed scientists to understand a little bit more about how marine species move through the Oceans. New research has revealed that marine species such as sharks, tuna, marine mammals, penguins, and sea turtles swim in circles inside and outside of feeding areas. The research has led scientists to hypothesize that the animals may be searching for navigation information from geomagnetic fields.   More research is needed to understand the micromovements of marine species. Link to Article: https://www.vice.com/en/article/qjpy9m/all-kinds-of-marine-animals-are-mysteriously-circling-in-bizarre-discovery Want To Talk Oceans? Join the Speak Up For Blue Facebook Group: http://www.speakupforblue.com/

I had a conversation with my youngest daughter the other day about science and she asked whether Marine Biologists are scientists. I was quite surprised because I am a Marine Biologist.  I describe the chat and why people who don't think Marine Biologists are not scientists is a problem for Marine Conservation. Want To Talk Oceans? Join the Speak Up For Blue Facebook Group: http://www.speakupforblue.com/group. Speak Up For Blue Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/speakupforblue/ Speak Up For Blue Twitter: https://twitter.com/SpeakUpforBlue Check out the Shows on the Speak Up For Blue Network: Marine Conservation Happy Hour Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/2k4ZB3x Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2kkEElk Madame CuriosityApple Podcasts: https://apple.co/2xUlSax Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2V38QQ1 ConCiencia Azul: Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/2k6XPio Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2k4ZMMf Dugongs & Seadragons: Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/2lB9Blv Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2lV6THt Environmental Studies & Scie

Imagine the challenges of building a business to 2021. I have a business, Speak Up For Blue (http://www/speakupforblue.com) and it is difficult. Now add on the fact that people are building sustainable businesses. Now add on the fact that some people have launched their business in the COVID-19 Pandemic. the challenges are immense and it takes a hard-working person to build a new sustainable business during a global pandemic.  I interview one of those people and her name is Marina Tran-Vu. She launched a company called Equo (link below) that sells sustainable products such as coconut, grass, rice, and bamboo straws as well as bamboo cutlery. She started the business because she was inspired in a coffee shop in Vietnam when the waiter handed her a grass straw.  Now she works with local farmers, who have been making these straws for centuries, to create the products and ship them worldwide. Marina tries to make the business as sustainable and transparent as possible. The latter is easier to do than the former a

The Manatee population in Florida is doing much better since being added the Endangered Species Act and the Marine Mammal Protection Act in the 1970s. The population has increased from 600 to over 8000 individuals; however, there are still some things that we can do to make sure humans and our technology do not harm them or kill them, including making sure that the Manatee sensors on Flood Gates work.  Link to Article: https://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/environment/fl-ne-manatees-deaths-2020-20210211-iysem4xpbnetbfmkw77k6wg4k4-story.html Want To Talk Oceans? Join the Speak Up For Blue Facebook Group: http://www.speakupforblue.com/group. Speak Up For Blue Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/speakupforblue/ Speak Up For Blue Twitter: https://twitter.com/SpeakUpforBlue Check out the Shows on the Speak Up For Blue Network: Marine Conservation Happy Hour Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/2k4ZB3x Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2kkEElk Madame CuriosityApple Podcasts: https://apple.co/2xUlSax Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2V3

We need to manage the human population in order to protect the Ocean. I remember Dr. Edd Hind-Ozan saying that statement in a conversation we had while planning for the International Marine Conservation Congress in Malaysia (2018). It always stuck with me because it was so true. Humans pose the biggest disturbances that contribute to our major issues in the Ocean (Climate Change, Plastic Pollution, Overfishing, and Marine Pollution). I want to add to the statement that we have to change the way humans behave around the Ocean. Conservation messaging will be important to accomplish behaviour change. Behaviour change is an important field in Marine Conservation as it explains how to get the attention of a specific target market to change their behaviour for a conservation outcome. Messaging plays a large role in getting people's attention, holding it to educate them, and inspire them to follow the call to action. For example, Plastic pollution is causing the death of marine mammals, we should stop using single-u

The Marine Mammal Center is an organization that specializes in rescuing Marine Mammals along a 600 mile stretch of California Coastline. It's not an easy thing to do; however, the organization has saved thousands of animals over a 45-year period. I was able to be connected to Adam Ratner (bio below) to discuss how the Marine Mammal Center goes beyond rescuing Marine Mammals through its various programs and storytelling. Listen to a few different stories of how the Marine Mammal Center has helped Marine Mammals and inspired people to live for a better Ocean! Background on Adam Adam Ratner began at The Marine Mammal Center in 2009 leading educational programs for high school students and visitors. Over the years, he has challenged people to think differently about ocean conservation using the stories of individual patients that are rescued by The Marine Mammal Center. By providing hopeful stories of action and tangible solutions, Adam helps people find inspiration and empowerment to become the heroes of their

The Cuttlefish is by far my favourite Ocean Animal. It's an invertebrate that is extremely complex and, at the same time, is beautiful. I always knew that Cuttlefish had a higher level of intelligence, but a new study finds that their decision-making ability is beyond what research initially expected. The Cuttlefish can pass the Marshmallow Test, which is a test to detect the level of decision-making capabilities of the test subject. Apparently, the Cuttlefish is good with decisions.  Listen to the episode to find out the details.  Link to the Article: https://www.hakaimagazine.com/news/clever-cuttlefish-have-passed-the-marshmallow-test/ Want To Talk Oceans? Join the Speak Up For Blue Facebook Group: http://www.speakupforblue.com/group. Speak Up For Blue Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/speakupforblue/ Speak Up For Blue Twitter: https://twitter.com/SpeakUpforBlue Check out the Shows on the Speak Up For Blue Network: Marine Conservation Happy Hour Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/2k4ZB3x Spotify: https://

I had the privilege of sitting down with the one and only Melissa Cristina Marquez to talk about her experiences using a variety of Science Communication Platforms including social media, network TV (Shark Week and SharkFest - upcoming), podcasting on ConCiencia Azul, and now a fictional author of a series of books related to her time as a Marine Biologist. We also discuss her most recent fieldwork experience (and how it didn't go as planned, Yikes!). Get her book "Wild Survival" here: https://www.amazon.com/Crocodile-Survival-Melissa-Cristina-M%C3%A1rquez/dp/1338635050/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1XJQF0HOCZM20&dchild=1&keywords=wild+survival+crocodile+rescue&qid=1614915754&sprefix=Wild+Survival%2Caps%2C163&sr=8-1 Want To Talk Oceans? Join the Speak Up For Blue Facebook Group: http://www.speakupforblue.com/group. Speak Up For Blue Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/speakupforblue/ Speak Up For Blue Twitter: https://twitter.com/SpeakUpforBlue Check out the Shows on the Speak Up For Blue Network: Mar

There are so many people who are trying to save the Ocean and many of them mean well, but they don't always go about it the right way and pull people into their misguided and/or misinformed campaigns.  This episode contains 4 questions you should ask yourself before you support any Ocean campaign. Link To Article: https://www.facetsjournal.com/doi/full/10.1139/facets-2020-0058?fbclid=IwAR2KeUvO9tuWD50McDTu5joRoY3hQ2wMg_bYO7BYsAs_xikfDEo-tEizciM& Want To Talk Oceans? Join the Speak Up For Blue Facebook Group: http://www.speakupforblue.com/group. Speak Up For Blue Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/speakupforblue/ Speak Up For Blue Twitter: https://twitter.com/SpeakUpforBlue Check out the Shows on the Speak Up For Blue Network: Marine Conservation Happy Hour Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/2k4ZB3x Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2kkEElk Madame CuriosityApple Podcasts: https://apple.co/2xUlSax Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2V38QQ1 ConCiencia Azul: Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/2k6XPio Spotify: https://spoti.fi

The Global Shark Population is declining all over the world; however, there is a way to protect using Marine Protected Areas in Exclusive Economic Zones. They are needed now more than ever since some sharks have a large migration and will venture out of MPA boundaries and into waters that are not protected.  Link To Article: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/jan/31/will-sharks-survive-scientists-fear-for-oceans-apex-predators-without-more-protection?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other Want To Talk Oceans? Join the Speak Up For Blue Facebook Group: http://www.speakupforblue.com/group. Speak Up For Blue Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/speakupforblue/ Speak Up For Blue Twitter: https://twitter.com/SpeakUpforBlue Check out the Shows on the Speak Up For Blue Network: Marine Conservation Happy Hour Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/2k4ZB3x Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2kkEElk Madame CuriosityApple Podcasts: https://apple.co/2xUlSax Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2V38QQ1 ConCiencia Azul: Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co

The Ocean Conveyor Belt is an Ocean circulation system in the Atlantic Ocean that starts with the Gulf Stream coming out of the Gulf of Mexico moving up the East coast of North America and crossing the Atlantic to the UK. The system regulates the Climate along the East coast of North America and Northern Europe.  When the Conveyor Belt is moving at a regular speed it results in the climate that we are used to seeing in these areas; however, if the belt slows down, the climate will result in higher sea levels along the East coast of North America and cooler temperatures in Northern Europe with more droughts in the rest of Europe. Researchers have measured a regression in speed in the Conveyor Belt over the last 1,000 years and it is caused by Climate Change. We need to reduce Climate Change before we can't do anything to stop the Conveyor Belt from slowing down.  Links To Article:  https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/feb/25/atlantic-ocean-circulation-at-weakest-in-a-millennium-say-scientists https:/

There is a push by the marine science, conservation, and government world to use safer lobster traps that will not pose a threat to marine mammals, such as the critically endangered Northern Right Whales. The problem is that fisheries organizations are worried that the use of the gear is unaffordable and therefore unrealistic.  A recent article on NPR has an audio snippet that gives a peek into what it's like to observe a ropeless lobster trap come to the surface and not pose a risk to marine mammals.  Links To Article: https://www.npr.org/2021/02/21/969527300/ropeless-lobster-fishing-could-save-the-whales-could-it-kill-the-industry Want To Talk Oceans? Join the Speak Up For Blue Facebook Group: http://www.speakupforblue.com/group. Speak Up For Blue Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/speakupforblue/ Speak Up For Blue Twitter: https://twitter.com/SpeakUpforBlue Check out the Shows on the Speak Up For Blue Network: Marine Conservation Happy Hour Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/2k4ZB3x Spotify: https://spoti

Texas is in a State of Emergency due to a deep freeze event caused by Climate Change. Power outages have caused problems for many citizens in the state as they can't get access to heat and warm water. Now, politicians and media outlets on the right are putting the blame on the failure of renewable energy sources instead of telling the whole story. Find out why by listening to the episode. Link to Article: https://www.npr.org/2021/02/18/968921895/what-really-caused-the-texas-power-shortage Link To The Previous Episode: https://directory.libsyn.com/episode/index/id/18006317 Want To Talk Oceans? Join the Speak Up For Blue Facebook Group: http://www.speakupforblue.com/group. Speak Up For Blue Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/speakupforblue/ Speak Up For Blue Twitter: https://twitter.com/SpeakUpforBlue Check out the Shows on the Speak Up For Blue Network: Marine Conservation Happy Hour Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/2k4ZB3x Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2kkEElk Madame CuriosityApple Podcasts: https://apple.co/2

The deep freeze in Texas is not only affecting Texans all over the state, but it's always affecting Sea Turtles. Animal rescuers made up of government scientists, organizations, and volunteers rescued 4,750 Green Sea Turtles that were affected by the deep freezing effects of the cold snap. The cold temperatures affect Sea Turtles as they can render them immobile. The Sea Turtles can't swim to the surface to get air and could eventually drown.  The efforts from everyone that participated in the rescue potential saved the population of Threatened Sea Turtles.  You can support those organizations at the links below: Sea Turtle Inc.: https://seaturtleinc.org/ Sea Turtle Island Restoration Network: https://seaturtles.org/ Link To Article: https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-weather/article/Texans-stepping-up-to-rescue-a-record-breaking-15960798.php Want To Talk Oceans? Join the Speak Up For Blue Facebook Group: http://www.speakupforblue.com/group. Speak Up For Blue Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/s