Beneath the Surface

How could I do a podcast about the ocean in Plymouth and not make an episode about fishing? 

Plymouth is the second biggest fish market in England, but still, not many people are aware of how they can eat fish sustainably in Plymouth. 

Well, I've got the answer for you: Sole of Discretion. In this episode, I talk with Caroline, the founder of Sole of Discretion, a community interest company  based in Plymouth. It is basically a fish monger... but it's not like your usual fish monger. Sole of Discretion works directly with small-scale fishermen, that catch fish locally, and with gear that has a low impact on marine ecosystems. 

The protection of the marine environment is at the heart of this local company, while also contributing to the livelihood of small scale fishers and their communities. Fishing and overexploitation of certain marine species is probably the biggest threat to the marine world. But as consumers, or just as people interested in the sea, it is really easy to feel lost and confused when it comes to making the right choice. 

So in this episode, Caroline and I talk about how Sole of Discretion works, why we need to think LOCAL but also SMALL SCALE, we compare being vegan and eating locally caught fish from an environmental perspective, we talk about Seaspiracy and many other things... 

I hope this episode gives you a better understanding of how the fishing industry works, the damage it can have on marine ecosystems, and what we can do as consumers to help this industry to shift to a more sustainable way of functioning. Whether you are vegan, vegetarian, omnivorous, pescatarian... this episode will hopefully make you think about HOW and WHY you do it. 

Thanks for listening and please drop a line if you want to chat about it! 

More info about Caroline & Sole of Discretion:

Website: https://soleofdiscretion.co.uk

Email: [email protected]

You can find me here:

Instagram: @plymouthbeneaththesurface.

Twitter: @twosealions.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/louisedelion/.

Email: [email protected] / [email protected]

My new guest speaker is Dr Imogen Napper, from the University of Plymouth. She works with the International Marine Litter Research Unit based at the university here, and her research focuses on the different sources of plastic pollution found in the environment. She is also an expedition scientist at National Geographic, investigating plastic pollution along the Ganges river in Asia. 

You have probably seen some of Imogen's work in the news... Microbeads found in cosmetics being made of plastic & a large amount of plastic fibres that come off from our clothes in the washing machine, all potentially ending up in the ocean; 'biodegradable' bags that can still hold a full bag of shopping three years later.... Imogen has been investigating the plastic that we cannot see easily and how it ends up in the ocean as microplastics. Imogen works hard to apply her research and work in order to help create changes at the consumer, industry and government levels. 

In this episode, we talk about her research and the different experiments she's been doing, from the lab looking at a microscope or sitting next to a washing machine, to burying plastic bags in the soil and in the sea, all the way to investigating Ganges' water and getting a Guinness record for finding microplastics on top of Mount Everest.... She also shares with us the different ways we can implement changes, through consumer choice, industry changes, and government legislation. 

If you're interested in reducing your plastic consumptions, want to know more about the different sources of plastic in our environment, the relative importance of plastic compared to other threats to the ocean, the different actions that need to be taken... here's an episode for you! 

Thanks for listening & I hope you enjoy! 

You can find Imogen here: 

LinkedIn: Imogen Napper 

Twitter: @Imogennapper

Instagram: @imogennapper

Research: https://www.plymouth.ac.uk/staff/imogen-napper & https://www.imogen-napper.com 

Email: [email protected] 

You can find me here:

Instagram: @plymouthbeneaththesurface.

Twitter: @twosealions.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/louisedelion/.

Email: [email protected] / [email protected]

In this new episode, David Sims is joining me to talk about some of his research. David is a marine ecologist based at the Marine Biological Association in Plymouth. His research focuses on movement ecology and conservation of marine top predators, specifically sharks, skates and rays. His research focuses on the behavioural ecology of pelagic shark movements and spatial distributions, the environmental constraints, and the consequences of anthropogenic impacts. 

David is part of the Global Shark Movement project, a movement about movement... with more than 150 sharks biologists from 26 countries and regrouping more than 100 institutions, David and colleagues all around the world study the movement of sharks across the globe in order to assess the spatial overlap between the distribution of sharks with areas of high anthropogenic pressures (e.g. fisheries, shipping routes). 

In this episode, David tells us about two major threats shark populations are facing globally: fisheries & climate change, and how these two might act in synergy, increasing the pressure on shark populations already greatly reduced and endangered. David also tells us about local sharks found in Plymouth, some of his memories diving in Plymouth sound with incredible creatures, and the early findings he made on basking sharks, back in the days where almost nothing was known about this species. 

If you're interested in sharks, want to know more about them, their biology and movement, the way they are being affected by fisheries and how climate change will exacerbate this, or want to listen to the great discoveries David has made on basking sharks... there's something for you to bite! 

Hope you enjoy listening to this!! 

🦈🐟⛴️🎣🌍

And if you want to know more about David's work: 

Sims Lab: https://www.mba.ac.uk/fellows/sims-lab#b5 & on Twitter: @TheSimsLab.

Global Shark Movement project: https://www.globalsharkmovement.org.

Papers:

Nature, 2019: Global spatial risk assessment of sharks under the footprint of fisheries.

eLite, 2021: Climate-driven deoxygenation elevates fishing vulnerability for the ocean's widest ranging shark.

Email: [email protected] 

You can find me here:

Instagram: @plymouthbeneaththesurface. 

Twitter: @twosealions.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/louisedelion/.

Email: [email protected] / [email protected]

My new guest speaker is ... Abigail McQuatters-Gollop! She is a marine conservation ecologist based at the University of Plymouth. Her research focuses on the integration of scientific results into policy-making at national and international levels. From researching the impacts of climate change, or nutrient pollution on marine ecosystems, to actively working hand in hand with policy makers at DEFRA or outside of the UK, Abigail focuses her work directly based on policy needs to inform and support effective marine management and conservation. 

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In this episode we talk about the impacts of climate change on plankton communities, and what it means for the whole food web and marine systems, but also for us humans. Abigail tells us about the importance of working with policy makers and how building a strong relationship is the most effective way to implement strong and effective policy. We also touch on  Brexit and what it means for the fishing industry & fishermen and how it will impact the way we manage and protect our marine environment in the UK. 

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If you're interested in policy making, trying to make a difference with your research, understanding how the impacts on plankton reflects the impact on whole marine ecosystems, or what Brexit means for marine conservation, you'll probably find something to bite here!... 

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Here's an insight into Abigail's work and an inspiring way of seeing marine conversation, science & policy holding hands. 

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Thanks for listening!

🇬🇧🐠🦐🔥👩🏻‍🔬🌐

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If you want to know more about Abigail's work: 

on Twitter: @anaturalstate

Some of her work: https://www.plymouth.ac.uk/staff/abigail-mcquatters-gollop 

Email: [email protected]

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You can find me here:

Instagram: @plymouthbeneaththesurface

Twitter: @twosealions 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/louisedelion/ 

Email: [email protected] / [email protected]

My new guest speaker (and the last of 2020) is Paul Naylor.

I couldn't talk about marine biology in Plymouth without doing an episode with Paul... He is such a legend here, and has been an amazing inspiration for so many people (including me).

Paul is a marine biologist, underwater photographer and filmmaker... He has now retired from the Environmental Agency & dedicates all of his time to his passion: telling people about the local marine life. Through his photos, films, books, conferences etc., Paul is constantly inspiring people with stories from beneath the surface. When he is not talking or showing images, Paul is found underwater, exploring cracks and crevices, saying hello to his friends the blennies and all the other wonderful creatures he's amazed by.

In this episode, we talk about his career path, his projects and how he's showcasing the beauty of British marine life to the general public. After so many hours spent underwater at his regular sites, Paul has managed to get to know some of the creatures really well… and has some incredible stories to share with us.

If you have an interest in underwater photography, diving, or if you’re curious about the social life of fishes or just want to know more about what’s found underwater in England… this episode is for you!!!

Thanks for listening!

🐠🤿📷🐚🌊🎥

If you've got any feedback, comments, recommendations or questions, let me know !

If you want to  know more about Paul and his work:

Instagram: @paulnaylormarinephoto

Website with photos: http://www.marinephoto.co.uk

Email: [email protected]

Videos: vimeo.com/paulnaylormarinephoto

Wembury marine life: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ai-qNE-O0jE 

You can find me here:

Instagram: @plymouthbeneaththesurface Twitter: @twosealions LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/louisedelion/ Email: [email protected] / [email protected]

My new guest speaker is Louise Firth. 

Louise is a researcher and lecturer based at the University of Plymouth.  She is a marine ecologist who works in both natural and artificial coastal environments. She is interested in the relationship between humans and coastal ecosystems (Marine Community Ecology) and how this relationship has changed over time (Historical Ecology). She is particularly interested in developing novel ways of making space for nature in human-dominated environments, (Eco-Engineering). 

In this episode, we'll be talking about the different topics Louise is interested and busy working on ... eco-engineering, historical ecology, how cool limpets are... Louise also talks about her career path and gives some wonderful words of advice for future marine scientists... 

If you want to know more about how we can bring nature back into human-dominated environments, or want to know more about limpets and what they are, or just want to have an insight into the life of a marine ecologist... here's an episode for you! 

Thanks for listening!

🐚🏢🚢🛠️🐟🌿

If you've got any feedback, comments, recommendations or questions, let me know !

If you want to  know more about Louise and her work:

Twitter: @Louise_Firth_IE

Marine Eco-Engineering Research Unit: https://www.plymouth.ac.uk/research/marine-eco-engineering-research-unit/team

Email: [email protected]

TEDx talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UY_uPfNsUGM

You can find me here:

Instagram: @plymouthbeneaththesurface Twitter: @twosealions LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/louisedelion/ Email: [email protected] / [email protected]

My new guest speaker is Dan Smale. Dan is a researcher based at the Marine Biological Association, in Plymouth. He is a marine ecologist with broad research interests and a particular focus on understanding how global environmental change is influencing the structure and functioning of coastal marine ecosystems, especially kelp forests. 

His journey started in Plymouth where he studied his undergraduate degree in marine biology, before doing his postgrad degrees in Antartica & Western Australia. He is now back to Plymouth and leads the Smale Group at the MBA. 

In this episode, we'll be talking about kelp forests... what they are, where you find them, why they are important, how climate change is impacting these systems, what their role is regarding  "blue carbon" etc. ... Dan also talks about his journey and gives advice for future marine scientists! 

Whether you're already a fan of kelp, or just want to know more about these systems, or want to get an insight into the life of a marine ecologist, here's an episode for you! 

Thanks for listening!

🌿🤿🌏🔥👨🏻‍🔬🌱

If you've got any feedback, comments, recommendations or questions, let me know !

If you want to  know more about Dan and his work: 

Twitter: @DanSmale1 - Website for Smale group where you can find publications & further information: https://www.mba.ac.uk/fellows/smale-group#b7 - Email: [email protected]

You can find me here:

Instagram: @plymouthbeneaththesurface Twitter: @twosealions LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/louisedelion/ Email: [email protected] / [email protected]

My new guest speaker is Nadia Frontier. Nadia was a student in Plymouth, and graduated from Marine Biology & Coastal Ecology in 2019.  She is now working as the Marine Biologist at the Rothera Research Station in Antarctica, with the British Antarctic Survey. 

I met Nadia during my degree, and she has been a real source of inspiration to me since then. She is really motivated and so enthusiastic about everything, and I hope you will get some inspiration from  listening to her in this episode. 

Nadia talks about her career path, from being a student at the University of Plymouth to working at the Marine Biological Association, to being diving in Antarctica to conduct research with the British Antarctic Survey. 

She also talks about the importance of volunteering and getting experience while  doing a degree, what she thinks about the course content and lecturers... and as always, we talk a bit about diving in Plymouth! 

Whether you're thinking of studying marine biology, pursuing a career in marine research,  dreaming of going to Antarctica or just want a good dose of inspiration... here's an episode for you! 

Thanks for listening!

❄️👩🏻‍🎓🤿🇦🇶🐧🌱

If you've got any feedback, comments, recommendations or questions, let me know in the comments or by directly contacting me.

If you want to  know more about Nadia and her journey in Antarctica:  

Twitter: @nadiafrontier LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nadia-frontier-ab9192120/ ;  Blogspot: https://nadiafrontier.blogspot.com 

You can find me here:

Twitter: @twosealions LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/louisedelion/Email: [email protected] / [email protected]

My second guest speaker is Mark Parry. Mark grew up & studied in Plymouth; he is still living here and is now working with the Ocean Conservation Trust, the NGO that runs the National Marine Aquarium. In this episode we talk about his career path from working in the surfing industry to working in marine conservation, his connection to the marine environment but also about the amazing project he is involved in: restoring seagrass meadows in Plymouth. If you want to know more about why seagrass is important, what is being done to protect & restore underwater meadows ... here's an episode for you! 

Thanks for listening!

🌱🌊🏄🏻‍♂️🐙🤿

If you've got any feedback, comments, recommendations or questions, let me know in the comments or by directly contacting me.

If you want to contact Mark or know more about the seagrass restoration project: 

Twitter: @OceanCTrust & @mark_parry16 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/oceanconservationtrust/ & https://www.linkedin.com/in/marinemark/ ;  Website: https://oceanconservationtrust.org 

Email: [email protected] or [email protected]

You can find me here:

Twitter: @twosealions LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/louisedelion/Email: [email protected] / [email protected]

My first guest speaker is Georgie Bull. She is a student in Marine Biology & Coastal Ecology at the University of Plymouth and she is also an amazing photographer and diver. She's actually just won the British and Irish Underwater Photography Championship this year. In this episode we talk about diving, underwater photography, science communication, career options, our course and much more... 

Thanks for listening! 

🎙️👩🏼‍🎓🤿📷🌱

If you've got any feedback, comments, recommendations or questions, let me know in the comments or by directly contacting me.

If you want to contact Georgie and see her photos:

You can find me here: