Conservation and Science

Many of us outdoors people like to keep records of the animal and fish species we have encountered, caught or seen during our time in the outdoors. To keep those records we use spreadsheets, databases, dedicated apps and, perhaps, a pen and paper if you’re a little old-timey chap. As it turns out, there is a website that can not only help you record and explore your sightings but also include your data in the national dataset that is used by scientists. This website is operated by The National Biodiversity Data Centre and, in this episode of the podcast, our guest is their Citizen Science Officer, Dave Wall.

https://biodiversityireland.ie/

https://exploreyourshore.ie/

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We had such a great time recording this episode of the podcast! I wish all the recording sessions were as relaxed, open and enjoyable as this one. I sat down with Eleanor Turner, who was our guest on episode 17, in the Sea Synergy Marine Awareness Centre in Waterville. We talked about an event called Iveragh Learning Landscapes. This fantastic outdoor experience, taking place annually in the most South-Western tip of Ireland, focuses on outdoor education and connection with nature. Listen up as we discuss the origins of the event, the schedule, what to expect during the panels and workshops, and where to get tickets. Iveragh Learning Landscapes 201911th - 14th October 2019Check out the schedule and get the tickets here: https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/iveragh-learning-landscapes-2019-tickets-51248972055

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We have spoken many times about the need for advocacy for hunters and anglers, strong organizations that would represent sportsmen’s interests. Angling Trust is one such organization. Its aim is to represent anglers from England and Wales. Our guest is Dave Mitchell who is Angling Trust’s Head of Marine. He is also a board member of the European Anglers Alliance. In the podcast, I talk with Dave about angling advocacy, the state of the marine environment and the challenges faced by the angling community. If you are an angler, this one is worth listening to, even if you don’t live in England or Wales.

https://www.anglingtrust.net

https://www.eaa-europe.org

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In this episode, you will hear a fascinating account about one man who has spent most of his life fighting illegal salmon netting in the rivers and estuaries of the Irish South West. His name is Bertie Brosnan and he has joined me with his son Dan to tell his fascinating story. But be warned, it is not for the fainthearted. You will hear about personal sacrifice, threats, damaged property, court sentences and shots fired. There is a lot more than we could possibly fit into roughly an hour-long podcast and we only scratched the surface. That’s why we might get back to this tale in the future. Please leave your comments if you would like us to dig deeper.

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This is the second part of last week’s podcast where we talked with Tomás Mac an t-Saoir about his solo and unsupported cycle down the length of Africa. If you missed the first part, go and listen to it now. Otherwise, let’s jump right in!

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You may remember Tomás from one of the previous episodes of the podcast. Back then, he was a few months away from his planned, solo and unsupported, cycle from Cairo to Cape Town in aid of the Donal Walsh Live Life Foundation. A year later I got to talk with Tomás again. He is back from his cycle, in one piece, healthy and happy. In this incredible episode, Tomás gives a vivid description of his trip and his adventures along the way. African people, African wildlife, pain, sorrow, exhilaration, unreal landscapes, ethnic conflict and friendship. This is another big-adventure episode and I feel really fortunate to call this young, but highly experienced, adventurer, a friend.

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This is another episode of the podcast where I talk with the representative of a political party. The goal is, as always, to dig a little deeper into some of the issues affecting the outdoor lifestyle. This time our guest is Pippa Hackett who is a Green Party Councillor and a spokesperson on Agriculture, Food, Forestry, Heritage & Animal Welfare. Once again I want to include the disclaimer that it is not my intention to promote any political party. Instead, I want outdoors enthusiasts to be aware of how their support for a particular option might impact the activities they love.

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Hen harriers are ground-nesting birds of prey whose UK population is in critical condition. Unfortunately, time after time we hear that a hen harrier has been killed illegally on grouse moors, a heavily managed grouse habitat used for driven grouse shooting. In this episode, I discuss this hot issue with a field sports journalist Matt Cross.

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You have probably heard a dozen times that I am a semi-retired, obsessive, shark angler. So, ever since I started the podcast I wanted, one day, to have an episode with someone from the Shark Trust. Well, that day is today. Our guest is Ali Hood the Director of Conservation at Shark Trust and we spent over an hour talking sharks! It was especially important for me to talk with Ali about the role of anglers in shark conservation. We also discussed three species of sharks that I am particularly interested in from an angling perspective: porbeagle shark, sixgill shark and mako shark. But we discussed much more than that and all of it very interesting. So if you want to learn about sharks and shark conservation, crack open a can of your favourite beverage, sit back and listen up.

https://www.sharktrust.org

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Stand-up paddle boarding, also known as SUP, is gaining popularity in Ireland and around the world. Sure, there are many who laugh and take shots at it. But that’s normal when the new kid on the block appears. But SUP is here to stay and, in this episode of the podcast, I talk with Oona Tibbetts who is one of the founders of Wild SUP Tours, an adventure company which organizes paddle-boarding tours and retreats in the most breathtaking places in County Kerry. But there is more! Recently, Oona set out to stand-up-paddle-board the coastline along The Wild Atlantic Way which is the longest defined coastal driving route in the world. The goal of this endeavour is to raise awareness about ocean pollution and climate change. You can track Oona’s progress by following the hashtag #oonagoeswild on social media. In the podcast, we discuss this fantastic challenge along with more general issues related to stand-up paddle boarding. https://www.wildsuptours.com/oonagoeswild

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