Natural Justice Podcast

In this episode, Eva van Heukelom talks to Samantha Robb, a South African lawyer specialising in deep-sea mining, to dive into one of the most pressing questions for our planet’s future: should we start mining the ocean floor before we understand it?We unpack what deep-sea mining actually is, how it’s governed under international law, and why scientists and lawyers alike are warning against rushing into it. The deep ocean, a world we know less about than the surface of the moon, holds both extraordinary life and the metals needed for our clean-energy transition. But can we pursue one without destroying the other?Join us for a conversation that cuts through the complexity and asks what responsible stewardship of the deep sea should look like before it’s too late.Deep sea mining, ocean conservation, environmental law, seabed minerals, International Seabed Authority, marine ecosystems, law of the sea, sustainability, ocean protection, environment, blue economy, deep ocean exploration.

Who owns the ocean — and the tuna that swim in it? In this episode of Talking to My Fellow Fish Lawyer, Eva and international law of the sea expert Erik van Doorn discuss how the concept of the common heritage of mankind could fit within modern fisheries governance.They explore how the Law of the Sea shapes access to marine resources, why tuna fisheries sit at the crossroads of national sovereignty and global responsibility, and shares some outside the box thinking about tuna fisheries management. If you’re interested in fisheries law, ocean governance, marine conservation, international environmental law, or the law of the sea, this conversation is for you.

Join us for a personal conversation between two women working in the seafood sector as they reflect on their journeys – from early-career challenges to gaining experience and looking ahead to the future. This lighthearted chat offers insights into building a career in seafood, navigating opportunities, and finding your path in a global industry shaped by oceans, sustainability, and collaboration. Perfect for students, young professionals, and anyone curious about what it’s really like to work in seafood.Guest represent themselves and not their employers.🌍 Learn more about our work: www.naturaljustice.nl

🌍 Learn more about our work: www.naturaljustice.nl📬 Stay in the loop – subscribe to our newsletter: https://natural-justice.kit.com/signupIn this episode of Fish People, we look at the fisheries sector through the eyes of a fisher. From daily challenges to new opportunities offered by responsible fisheries and Electronic Monitoring (EM), this conversation reveals how fishers are navigating change while supporting sustainable practices.Discover the realities of Costa Rican fisheries and the path toward a more responsible seafood sector.

🌍 Learn more about our work: www.naturaljustice.nl📬 Stay in the loop – subscribe to our newsletter: https://natural-justice.kit.com/signupIn Part II of my conversation with tuna expert Marcelo Hidalgo, we dive into one of the biggest questions in fisheries management: Can one size really fit all in responsible fisheries? From observer programmes and their challenges to the tension between global standards and regional realities, Marcelo shares candid reflections on the sector and its future. If you care about healthy oceans, sustainable seafood, or the people behind global fisheries, this episode is for you.🌊 Listen in for insights on:• The role and vulnerability of fisheries observers• Why global solutions don’t always fit regional needs• Marcelo’s reflections on the seafood sector and what lies ahead🎧 Subscribe for more conversations at the intersection of oceans, law, and sustainability.#Fisheries #Sustainability #Oceans #Seafood #Observers #ResponsibleFisheries

Dive deep into the world of tuna fisheries with Marcelo Hidalgo, an Ecuadorian tuna expert with over 30 years of experience in global seafood industries. In this insightful interview, Marcelo shares expert knowledge about tuna fishing practices, challenges, and sustainability efforts across the globe—from Ecuador’s rich Pacific waters to Papua New Guinea’s tuna fleets. Whether you’re passionate about ocean conservation, sustainable seafood, or fisheries management, this video offers unique perspectives from one of the most respected voices in the tuna sector.

🌊 Learn about tuna species, fishing methods, and the future of tuna fisheries
🐟 Explore global tuna supply chains and regional differences
🎣 Perfect for seafood professionals, marine conservationists, fishery managers, and ocean enthusiasts

Subscribe for more expert insights on oceans, seafood sustainability, and fisheries law.

#TunaFisheries #SustainableSeafood #OceanConservation #FishingIndustry #SeafoodExpert #TunaFishing #MarineConservation #EcuadorTuna #PapuaNewGuineaFishing #GlobalSeafood #FisheryManagement #OceanLovers #SeafoodIndustry #FisheriesScience #TunaSustainability

Why do we ask people to risk their lives for ocean protection, and then fail to protect them in return? In this episode of Fish People, Eva van Heukelom speaks with Henrique Ramos—a former fisheries observer who now runs a consultancy deploying observers to Portuguese-flagged vessels 🇵🇹. Together, they reflect on the vital role of observers in exposing illegal fishing and safeguarding our ocean resources, and the dire consequences of protections falling short. 🎣 Subscribe to our newsletter for updates, events & more stories from the world of seafood production & oceans governance: https://natural-justice.kit.com/fabd00da61🌐 Learn more about our work: www.naturaljustice.nl🎧 Listen to more episodes and follow wherever you get your podcasts.

In this episode of Fish People, we dive into the practical challenges of achieving transparency in global fisheries, whether it's about data, vessel ownership, or subsidies.Together with Daniel Skerritt, we unpack what meaningful data sharing looks like in practice, and why the word “transparency” can sometimes cloud more than it clarifies. We explore the growing role of civil society in uncovering illicit ownership structures, the limits of waiting for government action, and the complexities of regulating subsidies that harm fish stocks and coastal communities alike.🎣 Subscribe to our newsletter for updates, events & more stories from the world of seafood production & oceans governance: https://natural-justice.kit.com/fabd00da61🌐 Learn more about our work: www.naturaljustice.nl🎧 Listen to more episodes and follow wherever you get your podcasts.

What’s it like to be the one checking whether a vessel is really playing by the rules? In this episode of Fish People, Eva van Heukelom sits down with Donald Wellington of the Kenyan Fisheries Service. From tense port inspections to long days at sea, Donald shares what it takes to enforce fisheries law on the front lines. We talk risk, pride, and the drive to protect coastal communities and marine resources, one inspection at a time.🎣 Subscribe to our newsletter for updates, events & more stories from the world of seafood production & oceans governance: https://natural-justice.kit.com/fabd00da61](https://natural-justice.kit.com/fabd00da61

🌐 Learn more about our work: www.naturaljustice.nl

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In this second part of our episode with David Dietz, we talk about what it’s like to work within government fisheries management, where things can move slowly, and where priorities don’t always align with what feels most urgent on the ground.Further we talk about why we are very unlikely to ever leave this sector. Not because it’s easy, but because we believe it matters.🎣 Subscribe to our newsletter for updates, events & more stories from the world of seafood production & oceans governance: [https://natural-justice.kit.com/fabd00da61]🌐 Learn more about our work: www.naturaljustice.nl🎧 Listen to more episodes and follow wherever you get your podcasts.