Ocean Matters

“I continue to be surprised at where microplastics are and where they come from” – Dr Imogen Napper

In this bonus episode of Ocean Matters, producer Izzie Clarke speaks to Dr Imogen Napper from the University of Plymouth about microplastics and how they end up in our water sources. From small personal choices, to influencing international laws, Imogen also explains the responsibility we can all take to tackle the microplastic problem.

Ocean Matters is a Fresh Air Production for the Bertarelli Foundation, subscribe now so you never miss an episode.

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So often, the ocean’s problems are invisible, but plastic pollution in the ocean has rocketed up public consciousness in the past few years precisely because it, and the damage it does, is so visible. Once you start looking, it’s everywhere. Over 40% of plastic manufactured every year will only be used once.

In Ocean Matters, join oceanographer and physicist Helen Czerski as she explores the impact plastic is having on ocean wildlife, the scale of single-use plastic bottles in London, and an exciting solution found in nature - enzymes that eat plastic. 

Want to be a Citizen Scientist? Track plastic pollution in your area and help expand a shared global database with the Debris Tracker App available at your app store or at https://debristracker.org/.

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“An important part of looking after the ocean is that you’ve got to look after the seabirds”

If we were able to wave a magic wand and remove introduced rats from oceanic islands, is that enough to protect our seabirds? Pete Carr is an expert on birds in the Indian Ocean and, in this bonus episode of Ocean Matters, he explains to host Helen Czerski the importance to restoring native vegetation on our important seabird islands.

Ocean Matters is a Fresh Air Production for the Bertarelli Foundation, subscribe now so you never miss an episode.

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Seabirds are an incredibly versatile group of animals - they roam freely on land, soar majestically through the air and are equally at home underwater. They’re critically important if we are to maintain a healthy ocean, but half of all seabird populations are declining, and one in three is threatened with global extinction.

In this episode of Ocean Matters, physicist and oceanographer Helen Czerski explores the vital link between seabirds and the sea, discovers how can seabirds help the ocean recover, and crucially, how can we help the seabirds.

Come with us on this scientific adventure. Subscribe now, wherever you get your podcasts, so that you never miss an episode of Ocean Matters.

Ocean Matters is a Fresh Air Production for the Bertarelli Foundation

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“When they spawn, it looks like it's snowing but upside down. It’s very tranquil” – Dr Jamie Craggs

In this bonus episode of Ocean Matters, producer Izzie Clarke speaks to Dr Jamie Craggs from the Horniman Museum and Gardens, who has been able to mimic reef conditions all over the world in their London aquarium. This exciting technique is helping scientists to better understand coral breeding and how to protect our reefs.

Watch the Coral Spawning on the Horniman Museum and Garden website: https://www.horniman.ac.uk/project/project-coral/

Ocean Matters is a Fresh Air Production for the Bertarelli Foundation, subscribe now so you never miss an episode.

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Coral reefs are some of the most diverse ecosystems in the world.  They’re very special places, covering less than one percent of the seafloor but home to nearly a quarter of all ocean species at some point in their life cycle.

In this episode of Ocean Matters, physicist and oceanographer Helen Czerski explores the state of reefs in some of the most remote parts of our planet. She learns about the latest research techniques being used by scientists and how archives of old dead corals are helping in the fight to save the corals of our future – and why we need to act so urgently?

Come with us on this scientific adventure. Subscribe now, wherever you get your podcasts, so that you never miss an episode of Ocean Matters.

Ocean Matters is a Fresh Air Production for the Bertarelli Foundation.

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“I remember finning along the reef, looking in all directions for about 15 minutes and really not seeing any fish at all” – Prof. Heather Koldewey

In this bonus episode of Ocean Matters, producer Izzie Clarke speaks to Professor Heather Koldewey and Rachel Jones from the Bertarelli Foundation’s marine science programme about the creation of Marine Protected Areas and how they are helping to secure a future for the ocean.

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To quote Maya Angelou, “you can’t really know where you’re going, until you know where you have been.”

In this first episode, physicist and oceanographer Helen Czerski, explores our ocean’s recent past.

What was the ocean like 200 years ago? How does that compare with today – and what does that difference reveal?

Join Helen as she discovers watery secrets in the Natural History Museum’s archive, learns what old newspapers can reveal about the impact of our fishing history, and meets one of the scientists who helped to set up one of the largest marine protected areas in the world.

Come with us on this scientific adventure. Subscribe now, wherever you get your podcasts, so that you never miss an episode of Ocean Matters.

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Helen Czerski welcomes you to 'Ocean Matters'.

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