Ocean Ideas

A shark bite happened. But public opinion shifted in a totally unexpected direction…

And it wasn’t what researchers predicted.

In this episode of Ocean Ideas: Tooth or Dare, Dr. Chris Pepin-Neff of the University of Sydney shares a surprising discovery from a real-world study in Cape Town - and what it reveals about how we assign blame after predator encounters.

From orcas to polar bears to sharks, this episode explores:

🔍 Why perception matters more than danger

🌡️ How climate change is reshaping predator behaviour

🧠 And how one simple question at an aquarium reduced shark fear by 30%

🎧 Listen now on Spotify, YouTube or Apple Podcasts to find out what the Cape Town study uncovered - and why it changes everything we think we know about “shark attacks.”

Speaker: Dr. Chris Pepin-Neff, Associate Professor of Public Policy in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences at the University of Sydney.

Filmed at Bondi Pavilion.

Thank you Impressive Immersive Media for the visuals and audio.

Fast fashion is flooding Australia - and we’re leading the world in the worst way.

Aussies buy more new clothes per person than any other country. Most of it is made from fossil fuels. Bad for the planet, our oceans, and our health. But there’s hope.

In this week’s Ocean Ideas Podcast, four trailblazers share real solutions - from circular design to AI and Aussie science breakthroughs. 👗

Featuring:

- Lisa Lake, UTS

- Kit Willow, Fashion Designer

- Christopher Hurren, Deakin University

- Danielle Haj-Moussa, Main Sequence

Filmed at the beautiful Bondi Pavilion.

🎥 Brought to life by Impressive Immersive.

✨ Dive into the world of Supernatural Seadragons and Seahorses! ✨

These magical marine creatures captivate us with their otherworldly beauty - but did you know they’re also at the heart of vital conservation work in Sydney Harbour?

🎧 Tune in to hear from the passionate scientists working to study and protect them. Described here as some of the most unique and charismatic creatures in the ocean - find out the best place in Sydney to spot them in the wild!

Huge thanks to Mitchell Brennan from SIMS for hosting this inspiring panel with:

🌊 Peter McGee, Underwater Research Group & UTS Fish Ecology Lab

🌿 Jillian Chambers, SIMS/UTS

🐠 Professor David Booth, UTS

Filmed at the beautiful Bondi Pavilion.

🎥 Brought to life by Impressive Immersive.

🌊 Meet the young leaders fighting for our ocean's future! 🌍✨

“The youth represent 100% of the future.” - Sophia Skarparis (AKA PlasticFreeSophia)

In this powerful episode of Ocean Ideas, hear from passionate young changemakers who are standing up, speaking out, and taking action to protect our blue planet.

🎙️ From launching national programs to taking the government to court in a groundbreaking climate case - these inspiring voices are proving that youth activism matters. 💪

🔹 Kal Glanznig, Blue Minds

🔹 Jessica Lane, Miss Earth 2024

🔹 Daisy Jeffrey, Duty of Care Campaigner

Hosted by the ever-inspiring PlasticFreeSophia, this episode is a must-watch for anyone who believes in the power of young people to make waves.

Special thanks to Impressive Immersive for the stellar audio and video quality. Filmed at Bondi Pavilion.

What does a future without shark nets look like? 🦈 In this episode, we dive deep into shark-smart strategies that are making our beaches safer—for people and marine life.

🎙️ Hear real stories, expert insights, and the urgent steps we need to take to drive political change.

Plus, ever wondered what to do if you come face to face with a shark? Stick around for a hot tip from Jason! 

🎧 Hosted by Robin Mellon, CEO of Better Sydney

With special guests:

🔹 Lawrence Chlebeck, Humane World for Animals

🔹 Jason Iggleden, Drone Shark App

🔹 Brylee Robinson, Nets Out Now Coalition

Special thanks to Impressive Immersive for the stellar audio and video quality. Filmed at Bondi Pavilion.

Sea urchin populations are exploding along the south-eastern corner of the Great Southern Reef—devouring kelp forests, disrupting ecosystems, and accelerating marine decline. But what if the solution lies not just in science… but on our plates?🎧 In the latest Ocean Ideas Podcast, we explore how innovation, sustainability, and cuisine are coming together to turn this ocean threat into a culinary opportunity.Join host Tessa de Josselin and a powerhouse panel:🌊 Dr. Sahira Bell – Co-founder & Director, Great Southern Reef Foundation🌊 Emily McLaren – University of Sydney🍽️ Chef Johnson – Head Chef at Melbourne’s The Roe, a restaurant redefining sea urchin as a delicacy✨ Dive into the discussion and discover how eating urchins might just help restore ocean balance.Special thanks to Impressive Immersive for the stellar audio and video quality.Filmed at Bondi Pavilion.

🌊 The time to act is now—our reef ecosystems need us.

As climate change and extreme heating events threaten coral reefs around the world, scientists are racing to understand how these incredible ecosystems can survive—and how we can help.

In the latest episode of the Ocean Ideas Podcast, leading researchers Dr. Elliot Scanes, Dr. Emma Camp, and Dr. Cheng Chen dive into the evolutionary traits and survival strategies reefs use to adapt, and what science and conservation efforts must do next.

Special thanks to Impressive Immersive for the stellar audio and video quality.

Filmed at Bondi Pavilion.

The Grey Nurse Shark is critically endangered, and it needs your help! 🦈💔

Catch the latest episode of the Ocean Ideas Podcast to discover incredible citizen science projects you can join to support the conservation of this iconic species. 🌊 

You'll learn about their behaviours, population, and breeding habits, plus how Valerie Taylor’s “String of Pearls” initiative is creating a network of Marine Sanctuaries to ensure these sharks have safe migration, resting and breeding grounds. 🌟

Featured Speakers:

• Valerie Taylor

• Prof. Adam Stow (Macquarie University)

• Capt. Gordon Scott

• Sarah Han-De-Beaux (Spot a Shark)

  
  

Special thanks to Impressive Immersive for the stellar audio and video quality.Filmed at Bondi Pavilion.

Could algae be the new gold? 🏆 In this episode, ABC's Natasha Mitchell sits down with leading researchers and innovators to explore why algae is being hailed as a game-changer for a sustainable planet. From reducing methane in animal feed to replacing plastics and even helping with beer production, algae is proving to be more valuable than we ever imagined!🎙 Featured Guests:Dr. Alexandra Thomson, UTSDr. Pia Winberg, PsychoHealthDr. Michael Askew, AlgaeCo, Macquarie UniversitySpecial thanks to Impressive Immersive for the stellar audio and video quality.Filmed at Bondi Pavilion.

What’s really happening in the high seas? 🌊🌍 Join ABC's Natasha Mitchell and a panel of experts as they explore who owns the ocean, who gets to exploit it, and how we can balance preservation with exploitation for future generations. ⚖️Speakers:- Captain Peter Hammarstedt, Sea Shepherd- Matthieu Rytz, Deep Rising- A/Prof. Aline Jaekel, University of WollongongSpecial thanks to Impressive Immersive for the stellar audio and video quality.Filmed at Bondi Pavilion.