Skaana 🫍 One Ocean

Sperm whale expert Shane Gero on his whale family in Dominica, the power of storytelling and the culture, codas and language of sperm whales. Also… why all science is political. “Science is inherently political… until the sperm whales are able to speak for themselves, someone has to be their advocate… conservation is inherently a human behavioural change.”

Made in Canada, eh 🍁

Shownotes:

2:40 On his whale family and two decades of working with sperm whales.

4:30 On falling for whales.

6:30 What we know… Like… “They have the biggest brain to ever exist.” And studying sperm whales as individuals.

9:48 The power of storytelling. “No matter how much science we could do, no matter how innovative the research we were doing, the story-telling around what's going on with the lives of these families was so powerful.”

11:54 Watching the birth of a sperm whale. “It was a very humbling day.”

14:43 “I think we do a great disservice when we centre humans.”

18:20 Redefining the meaning of “culture” and “language” to avoid including non-human animals.

20:33 Codas, clicks and communication.

26:47 What makes sperm whale brains unique and the theory of mind.

29:19 The sperm whale, Canopener, figuring out how Shane's research works.

31:04 The story of spermaceti.

33:15 “Sperm whales powered human culture, long before we realized that sperm whales had culture themselves.”

34:00 The first time he saw a whale.

35:34 And the first time he saw a sperm whale. “Every human should have to go out and experience a 360-degree horizon… it's very humbling.”

39:20 On the whales' awareness of us. “We want to study what sperm whales do when sperm whales are being sperm whales… this is their realm.”

41:42 “These animals are living their lives in rich, complex lives that we don't even understand yet.”

42:07 Why all science is political and fighting science denialism. “Being a scientist means taking sides.”

44:42 “Science is inherently political… until the sperm whales are able to speak for themselves, someone has to be their advocate… conservation is inherently a human behavioural change.”

48:08 On getting biodiversity to recognize cultural diversity.

51:32 On the importance of names. “When we give them a name we don't do that lightly… we treat them as individual because they are.” And some names that they never imagined would stick… like Fruit Salad.

58:35 What whaling was like. “We killed something like three-quarters of the sperm whales that were out there.”

100:31 “We think the biblical Leviathan was probably describing a sperm whale.”

1:02:55 On what he has learned from sperm whales. “They, as individuals and families, have fundamentally changed the path of my life… Trying to understand what it meant to be a whale has helped me be a better person… They remind us about what is fundamentally important.”

Skaana podcasts connect you to news and experts and their discussions about environments, oceans, and orcas.

• Skaana homepage
• Mark's homepage
• Join and support the Pod at Patreon
• Subscribe to the Skaana newsletter on Substack
• Subscribe to Mark Leiren-Young's newsletter on Substack
• Spotify
• Apple
• The Orca Bites Podcast (on anchor)
• Skaana on Medium……www.orcatales.com

Skaana on social media:

• Linktree
• Facebook
• Bluesky
• Instagram

Mark on social media:

• Linktree
• Facebook
• Bluesky
• Instagram
• Threads

Support Our Guest

• official website: https://www.shanegero.com/ 
• the Dominica Sperm Whale Project https://www.thespermwhaleproject.org/ 
• Ted Talk – The Lost Culture of Whales https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1OQkdRdfyjI 
• Linktree
• Instagram
• Mastodon
• Being a Scientist Means Taking Sides – Mary H. O'Brien

Books and classes for sale from Team Skaana

**Amazon links are affiliate links and support our podcast, thanks for clicking!**

• Octopus Ocean by Mark Leiren-Young
• Sharks Forever by Mark Leiren-Young
• Audiobooks by Mark Leiren-Young (Killer Whale Who Changed the World, Orcas Everywhere & Never Shoot a Stampede Queen) on Audible.com
• The Killer Whale Who Changed the World – print and e-book
• The Killer Whale Who Changed the World on Spotify
• Orcas Everywhere on Spotify
• Orcas Everywhere; Orcas of the Salish Sea & Big Whales, Small World 
• Paint the Ocean You Wish to See with Rayne Ellycrys Benu
• The Force of Doubt by Rayne Ellycrys Benu

Subscribe to the Skaana newsletter at Substack: https://skaanapod.substack.com/Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/skaana

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Beatrice Frank, new(ish) executive director of The Georgia Strait Alliance on the past, present and future of one of the most effective environmental organizations in British Columbia for their 35th anniversary. We talk about fighting threats with awareness – and lawyers – keeping the ocean clean, working with American eco-organizations in the age of Trump and the power of positivity. “We sue the government often… we just want them to be accountable for what they say they will do.”

Made in Canada, eh 🍁

Shownotes:

2:30 Meet Beatrice Frank – the new executive director of the Georgia Strait Alliance.

5:24 On arriving in BC. “Wow. This place with orcas and salmon stewarded by the Coast Salish First Nation is amazing.”

8:48 The GSA turns 35 and the GSA's journey. “It really has become a powerhouse for the protection of the Salish Sea.” Advocating for southern resident orcas and more. Past and future fights.

10:15 On working with First Nations on stewardship of the land and the water.

12:05 The current major programs… biodiversity, marine planning, education and empowerment.

14:40 Orcas and emotions.

16:36 Legal fights for the Salish Sea – trying to save the orcas and stop Roberts Bank Terminal 2. “We sue the government often… we just want them to be accountable for what they say they will do.”

19:00 Adjusting to the age of Trump. “Our orcas don't have a passport… we share those species.”

20:12 The importance of American partners in fighting for a thriving Salish Sea.

23:22 “We are rooted in the community… We are the Salish Sea.”

25:52 The biggest challenges in 2025.

27:42 On Clean Marine BC and training boaters on how to use the ocean and deal with whales and the water.

28:45 On the importance of positivity and connecting with nature. “Everything matters. Every single little choice matters.”

33:15 “We Don't Want Your Pipelines” – written by Bob Bossin, performed by Mark Leiren-Young and Mike McCormick.

Skaana podcasts connect you to news and experts and their discussions about environments, oceans, and orcas.

• Skaana homepage
• Mark's homepage
• Join and support the Pod at Patreon
• Subscribe to the Skaana newsletter on Substack
• Subscribe to Mark Leiren-Young's newsletter on Substack
• Spotify
• Apple
• The Orca Bites Podcast (on anchor)
• Skaana on Medium……www.orcatales.com

Skaana on social media:

• Linktree
• Facebook
• Bluesky
• Instagram

Mark on social media:

• Linktree
• Facebook
• Bluesky
• Instagram
• Threads

Support Our Guest

• official website: https://georgiastrait.org/
• donations: https://georgiastrait.org/donate-2/
• events: https://georgiastrait.org/about-us/events/
• Facebook
• Bluesky
• Instagram
• LinkedIn

Books and classes for sale from Team Skaana

**Amazon links are affiliate links and support our podcast, thanks for clicking!**

• Octopus Ocean by Mark Leiren-Young
• Sharks Forever by Mark Leiren-Young
• Audiobooks by Mark Leiren-Young (Killer Whale Who Changed the World, Orcas Everywhere & Never Shoot a Stampede Queen) on Audible.com
• The Killer Whale Who Changed the World – print and e-book
• The Killer Whale Who Changed the World on Spotify
• Orcas Everywhere on Spotify
• Orcas Everywhere; Orcas of the Salish Sea & Big Whales, Small World 
• Paint the Ocean You Wish to See with Rayne Ellycrys Benu
• The Force of Doubt by Rayne Ellycrys Benu

Subscribe to the Skaana newsletter at Substack: https://skaanapod.substack.com/Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/skaana

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Squil-le-he-le – Lummi Elder and matriarch – on her relationship, and her nation's relationship, with the orca known as Lolita, Tokitae and Sk'aliCh'elh-tenaut, the attempt to bring her home and sharing that story in the powerful new documentary Resident Orca. Resident Orca is now available on Crave in Canada and is still in festivals in the USA and around the world. “You can't separate Canada and the US… “Clean up our beaches. Stop using plastic. Talk to your electeds. And say it's enough. Breach the dams. It's enough, stop the pollution. It's enough, talk to Canada and let's join forces in saving that body of water that we all treasure and hold sacred. ”

Made in Canada, eh 🍁

Shownotes:

4:43 Meet Skay-la-hay-la – Lummi (Lhaq'temish) elder and martiarch.

5:24 On the naming and renaming of Lolita/Tokitae to Sk'aliCh'elh-tenaut

7:00 On being related to the orcas. “Our relatives that live under the waves… We're related through cosmology.”

9:10 On the “round-up” that almost ended the southern resident orcas.

11:40 “They separated these babies from their mothers and there were several that were killed in the process and the captors didn't want to count them in their take. So they slit their bellies, filled them with gravel and sunk them.”

14:24 The orcas' memories of Penn Cove and the orca matriarch, Ocean Sun steering clear. “She never led her people back there to hunt. Ever… Ocean Sun led her people into the cove… and the one day they did ceremony.”

14:30 “They have traditions that mirror the Lhaq'temish people. *

16:32 Orca potlatches. “We mirror each others culture and traditions… they sing, they polatch, they surround in times of sorrow and loss to support the family.”

17:16 The Lhaq'temish take on salmon hats. “What we believe they are doing is they had feasted. That's their way to share. I've had enough. Have some.”

19:20 On getting involved with the documentary: “If you don't tell the story of her and her sacrifices. How will people know what they've done to her and her family.”

22:53 Squil-le-he-le on her journey to bring Sk'aliCh'elh-tenaut home and becoming involved with the documentary, Resident Orca.

24:09 On the Lummi Nation stepping in to bring Sk'aliCh'elh-tenaut home. “It was all led by culture, spirit and tradition.”

26:26 “The first time I saw qwe ‘lhol mechen ”

26:58 “The first time I saw her (Sk'aliCh'elh-tenaut) was heart-breaking. She had no spirit left.”

29:20 On drumming to Sk'aliCh'elh-tenaut. “She felt the healing. She accepted and welcomed the healing.”

31:31 On singing with Sk'aliCh'elh-tenaut. “Trainers were crying… “Every week I would call. How's my relative? How's she doing?”

33:07 On her connection to Sk'aliCh'elh-tenaut. “We were one.”

34:20 On moments that aren't in the documentary – like talking with Sk'aliCh'elh-tenaut's long-time companion – a whitesided dolphin.

38:03 On the Lummi talking with orcas/qw'e lh'ol mechen.

43:15 On how to help the orca in the Salish Sea. Breach the dams!

46:50 Why people need to see Resident Orca.

50:35 “You can't separate Canada and the US… “Clean up our beaches. Stop using plastic. Talk to your electeds. And say it's enough. Breach the dramas. It's enough, stop the pollution. It's enough, talk to Canada and let's join forces in saving that body of water that we all treasure and hold sacred. ”

Skaana podcasts connect you to news and experts and their discussions about environments, oceans, and orcas.

• Skaana homepage
• Mark's homepage
• Join and support the Pod at Patreon
• Subscribe to the Skaana newsletter on Substack
• Subscribe to Mark Leiren-Young's newsletter on Substack
• Spotify
• Apple
• The Orca Bites Podcast (on anchor)
• Skaana on Medium……www.orcatales.com

Skaana on social media:

• Facebook
• Bluesky
• Instagram

Mark on social media:

• Facebook
• Instagram
• Threads

Support Our Guest

• Resident Orca – official website
• Trailer for Resident Orca
• Linktree
• Instagram
• on Crave 

Books and classes for sale from Team Skaana

**Amazon links are affiliate links and support our podcast, thanks for clicking!**

• Octopus Ocean by Mark Leiren-Young
• Sharks Forever by Mark Leiren-Young
• Audiobooks by Mark Leiren-Young (Killer Whale Who Changed the World, Orcas Everywhere & Never Shoot a Stampede Queen) on Audible.com
• The Killer Whale Who Changed the World – print and e-book
• The Killer Whale Who Changed the World on Spotify
• Orcas Everywhere on Spotify
• Orcas Everywhere; Orcas of the Salish Sea & Big Whales, Small World 
• Paint the Ocean You Wish to See with Rayne Ellycrys Benu
• The Force of Doubt by Rayne Ellycrys Benu

Subscribe to the Skaana newsletter at Substack: https://skaanapod.substack.com/Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/skaana

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Skaana host Mark Leiren-Young breaks out his political pundit persona and talks about the Canadian election, how Trump upended the Canadian election and Canada and why that new baby orca needs a name NOW! A special audience Q&A episode with producer, Bug Lewis, asking the audience questions!

“Don't vote for the guy who doesn't believe there's a problem with the climate.”

Made in Canada, eh 🍁

Shownotes:

1:30 Mark's background as a satirist and a political journalist and columnist.

3:00 Meet Skaana producer and audio engineer, Bug Lewis!

3:45 The scoop on the new J-pod baby – the Southern Resident orca – and why Suttles' new baby needs a name NOW! So for now, Mark names the baby “Bug!”

10:30 Who should a Canadian environmental voters vote for in this election? “Don't vote for the guy who doesn't believe there's a problem with the climate.”

12:00 Pierre Pollution boasts about being endorsed by Carbon Tax Campbell. The origin of Canadian carbon taxes.

16:00 Thoughts on our new – and hopefully future – Prime Minister, Mark Carney.

17:45 On not being a fan of the Green Party of Canada. “Here's where I'm going to break a few hearts… I do not think the Green party does what it does very effectively… I do not see a there there.”

20:35 The history of Skaana and our documentary about the past, present and future of the Southern Resident Orcas.

23:40 Trump's impact on Canada's election, Canadian politics and how Canada has changed since Trump started talking about taking over our country.

26:10 “The flag is back, baby.”

34:25 Forgive Us, We're Canadian – performed by Mark Leiren-Young and Mike McCormick from The Arrogant Worms.

Skaana podcasts connect you to news and experts and their discussions about environments, oceans, and orcas.

• Skaana homepage
• Mark's homepage
• Join and support the Pod at Patreon
• Subscribe to the Skaana newsletter on Substack
• Subscribe to Mark Leiren-Young's newsletter on Substack
• Spotify
• Apple
• The Orca Bites Podcast (on anchor)
• Skaana on Medium……www.orcatales.com

Skaana on social media:

• Facebook
• Bluesky
• Instagram

Mark on social media:

• Facebook
• Instagram
• Threads

Support Our Guest

• All the stuff above
• And Local Anxiety, Forgive Us We're Canadian, is on Spotify! 

Books and classes for sale from Team Skaana

**Amazon links are affiliate links and support our podcast, thanks for clicking!**

• Octopus Ocean by Mark Leiren-Young
• Sharks Forever by Mark Leiren-Young
• Audiobooks by Mark Leiren-Young (Killer Whale Who Changed the World, Orcas Everywhere & Never Shoot a Stampede Queen) on Audible.com
• The Killer Whale Who Changed the World – print and e-book
• The Killer Whale Who Changed the World on Spotify
• Orcas Everywhere on Spotify
• Orcas Everywhere; Orcas of the Salish Sea & Big Whales, Small World 
• Paint the Ocean You Wish to See with Rayne Ellycrys Benu
• The Force of Doubt by Rayne Ellycrys Benu

Subscribe to the Skaana newsletter at Substack: https://skaanapod.substack.com/Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/skaana

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Arno Kopecky (author The Environmentalist's Dilemma) on covering Tory leader Pierre Pollution Poilievre's vs. the environment, Canadian eco-politics and the Greens vs. Greens.  When Pierre's not Trumpy. And when he is. And what he'll ask Pierre Poilievre – if he ever gets to ask him a question. “He turned the carbon tax into kryptonite.” Made in Canada 🍁

Shownotes:

4:25 On being the only journalist embedded with Canada's Conservative Campaign.

5:04 “It feels like a prolonged sort of Grateful Dead Festival festival tour meets the Freedom Convoy tour.”

7:05 Pierre's greatest hits…

10:52 On making sense of conspiracy theories.

12:18 Why Pierre and the Tories won't talk to reporters. “For the most part the Conservative entire machine is all about message control… it is very Trumpy.”

11:56 What Pierre Poiliviere doesn't want to talk about.

15:06 Where Pierre's not Trumpy. And where he is…

18:02 Why Pierre's declared the carbon tax public enemy #1. “He turned the carbon tax into kryptonite.”

19:48 On Pierre not talking about climate policy, except to mock it.

22:53 “The NDP has always been in a bit of a tricky place around environmental policies.”

23:40 The carbon tax is a very conservative solution…

26:16 On Mark Carney: “He's really quite literate on that file and he's built his career trying to convince the world's financial industries and bankers that climate change presents a massive existential threat to capitalism.”

28:30 On Carney: “I don't think he's the hero that we need but… it was his choice to go to rooms full of bankers in the halls of power in Europe and beyond. And tell them, you know, 10 years ago. “Listen, climate change is coming for us and we need to address it.” So I appreciate that.”

33:30 “The Green Party of Canada has become invisible.”

34:50 “It speaks volumes to me that a guy like Steven Guilbeault, who was arrested in 2001 [00:35:00] as Pierre Poliviere never tires of reminding us – for scaling the CN Tower and hanging a banner that said Bush and Canada are climate killers he was a Greenpeace activist, you know, literally as, as hardcore as it gets. Twenty years later when he runs for office, he doesn't join the Green Party. He joins the Liberal party and two years after that, he becomes the Minister of Environment and Climate Change.”

36:25 “The Greens have slid into irrelevance… I think it's going to be a grim election for the Greens.”

41:15 On voting this election.

41:50 What he'll ask Pierre Poiliviere – if he ever gets to ask him a question.

Skaana podcasts connect you to news and experts and their discussions about environments, oceans, and orcas.

• Skaana homepage
• Mark's homepage
• Join and support the Pod at Patreon
• Subscribe to the Skaana newsletter on Substack
• Subscribe to Mark Leiren-Young's newsletter on Substack
• Spotify
• Apple
• The Orca Bites Podcast (on anchor)
• Skaana on Medium……www.orcatales.com

Skaana on social media:

• Facebook
• Bluesky
• Instagram

Mark on social media:

• Facebook
• Instagram
• Threads

Octopus OceanSupport Our Guest

• • Bluesky
  • Instagram
  • Arno in The National Observer
  • Arno in The Walrus – including his story Wither the Greens

Books and classes for sale from Team Skaana

**Amazon links are affiliate links and support our podcast, thanks for clicking!**

• Octopus Ocean by Mark Leiren-Young
• Sharks Forever by Mark Leiren-Young
• Audiobooks by Mark Leiren-Young (Killer Whale Who Changed the World, Orcas Everywhere & Never Shoot a Stampede Queen) on Audible.com
• The Killer Whale Who Changed the World – print and e-book
• The Killer Whale Who Changed the World on Spotify
• Orcas Everywhere on Spotify
• Orcas Everywhere; Orcas of the Salish Sea & Big Whales, Small World 
• Paint the Ocean You Wish to See with Rayne Ellycrys Benu
• The Force of Doubt by Rayne Ellycrys Benu

Subscribe to the Skaana newsletter at Substack: https://skaanapod.substack.com/Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/skaana

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Shaking hands with a Giant Pacific Octopus… Skaana host Mark Leiren-Young shares an excerpt from his new book Octopus Ocean: Geniuses of the Deep.

“Mark Leiren-Young’s Octopus Ocean gives young readers a wonderful sense of many aspects of the world of octopuses in a very clear, concise and interesting way. It makes the reader think, and it educates without preaching. This book is a door to the magnificent world of the octopus—a door that, if opened and explored, will bring much joy and connection.” – Craig Foster, star and producer of My Octopus Teacher, co-founder of the Sea Change Project.

Made in Canada 🍁

Shownotes:

3:33 The introduction to Octopus Ocean: Geniuses of the Deep.

4:52 How Storm arrived at the Shaw Centre for the Salish Sea. And got her name.

5:42 Meeting a Giant Pacific Octopus.

6:57  Feeding time. Her speed shocks me.

7:20 “Watching an octopus is like watching a dream.”

8:42 “Storm's deciding whether I'm friend, for or food.”

9:08 The first octopus I ever saw… at the Vancouver Aquarium!

Skaana podcasts connect you to news and experts and their discussions about environments, oceans, and orcas.

• Skaana homepage
• Mark's homepage
• Join and support the Pod at Patreon
• Subscribe to the Skaana newsletter on Substack
• Subscribe to Mark Leiren-Young's newsletter on Substack
• Spotify
• Apple
• The Orca Bites Podcast (on anchor)
• Skaana on Medium……www.orcatales.com

Skaana on social media:

• Facebook
• Bluesky
• Instagram

Mark on social media:

• Facebook
• Instagram
• Threads

Octopus OceanSupport Our Guest

• • Octopus Ocean at Orca Books
  • Octopus Ocean on Spotify
  • Octopus Ocean on Audible – coming soon

Books and classes for sale from Team Skaana

**Amazon links are affiliate links and support our podcast, thanks for clicking!**

• Octopus Ocean by Mark Leiren-Young
• Sharks Forever by Mark Leiren-Young
• Audiobooks by Mark Leiren-Young (Killer Whale Who Changed the World, Orcas Everywhere & Never Shoot a Stampede Queen) on Audible.com
• The Killer Whale Who Changed the World – print and e-book
• The Killer Whale Who Changed the World on Spotify
• Orcas Everywhere on Spotify
• Orcas Everywhere; Orcas of the Salish Sea & Big Whales, Small World 
• Paint the Ocean You Wish to See with Rayne Ellycrys Benu
• The Force of Doubt by Rayne Ellycrys Benu

Subscribe to the Skaana newsletter at Substack: https://skaanapod.substack.com/Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/skaana

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In 2018 Tahlequah captured the world's attention when she carried her dead daughter's body for seventeen days in what became known as the “tour of grief.” The human who shared that story with the world was Seattle Times reporter, Lynda Mapes. Tahlequah just lost another newborn daughter. She just completed a second tour of grief. And this time… the world wasn't watching. Lynda Mapes and Skaana host Mark Leiren-Young talk about why the media and the world wasn't tuned in this time, trolls who blame Tahlequah for her tragedies, the future and fate of Tahlequah and her family and the challenges facing everyone who cares about whales and the planet in 2025. “The way to think about these animals is as an ancient society.” – Lynda Mapes.

Made in Canada 🍁

Shownotes:

4:10 Meet Lynda Mapes. “It's a pretty catastrophic time.”

5:11 The difference between Tahlequah's first and second tour of grief. “It's not like the last time with six million people reading my stories.”

6:20 “She's still the ultimate media star.”

8:27  Remembering the first tour of grief and the attempts to save Scarlet (J-50).

10:04 “These animals define the region.”

10:25 “Look at the world right now… it's a pretty dire time in the US.”

11:15 “Some people blame her.” We interrupt this show note (Mark here) to say this makes me want to scream…

14:18 “This is a co-extinction.”

18:17 “What we have left we cannot lose.”

18:55 Is the biggest threat to the Southern Residents the Biggs transients?

20:00 “I'm afraid people are going to forget about the southern residents… they have a right to be here… the way to think about these animals is as an ancient society.”

23:44 Tour 2… “It isn't what it was…”

25:06 People trolling Tahlequah…

27:15 “We've taken away her food, we've taken away her territory…”

28:05 The future and fate of NOAA. “It's dire… it couldn't be a more serious situation for the environment and people who care about it. It's a scary time.”

30:02 “We're going to have to make profound changes in order to bring back salmon in greater numbers…” Cleaning up and trashing dams.

34:11 “The power of nature, the resilience of nature is thrilling and real.”

Skaana podcasts connect you to news and experts and their discussions about environments, oceans, and orcas.

• Skaana homepage
• Mark's homepage
• Join and support the Pod at Patreon
• Subscribe to the Skaana newsletter on Substack
• Subscribe to Mark Leiren-Young's newsletter on Substack
• Spotify
• Apple
• The Orca Bites Podcast (on anchor)
• Skaana on Medium……www.orcatales.com

Skaana on social media:

• Facebook
• Bluesky
• Instagram

Mark on social media:

• Facebook
• Instagram
• Threads

Lynda MapesSupport Our Guest

• • Lynda Mapes
  • Instagram

Books and classes for sale from Team Skaana

**Amazon links are affiliate links and support our podcast, thanks for clicking!**

• Octopus Ocean by Mark Leiren-Young
• Sharks Forever by Mark Leiren-Young
• Audiobooks by Mark Leiren-Young (Killer Whale Who Changed the World, Orcas Everywhere & Never Shoot a Stampede Queen) on Audible.com
• The Killer Whale Who Changed the World – print and e-book
• The Killer Whale Who Changed the World on Spotify
• Orcas Everywhere on Spotify
• Orcas Everywhere; Orcas of the Salish Sea & Big Whales, Small World 
• Paint the Ocean You Wish to See with Rayne Ellycrys Benu
• The Force of Doubt by Rayne Ellycrys Benu

Subscribe to the Skaana newsletter at Substack: https://skaanapod.substack.com/Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/skaana

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

“In my lifetime I want to eradicate whaling.” – Paul Watson. Paul Watson is out of jail, back in France and still fighting for whales, dolphins, turtles, manatees and more. Paul Watson talks to Skaana host, Mark Leiren-Young, about his arrest and how it helped raise awareness about sketchy international arrest warrants, Japan's unjust justice system, illegal whaling, aggressive non-violence and his response to being called a “terrorist.” “I find it absolutely amazing that my case is being discussed at the highest levels of Japan… it really shows you how defensive they are about their illegal whaling operations.”

Shownotes:

3:10 Paul Watson on being released from prison in Greenland.

4:00 The politics behind his prison time.

6:48 “I find it absolutely amazing that my case is being discussed at the highest levels of Japan… it really shows you how defensive they are about their illegal whaling operations.”

8:00 “In the description, in the Red Notice, I'm described as an armed and extremely dangerous terrorist.”

8:57 Challenging Interpol.

10:20 His iconic status in France.

11:25 “I've been doing this for fifty years. I've never been convicted of a felony crime and I've never caused an injury to anybody… When anybody says, ‘people say you're a terrorist, what's your response.' I've never worked for Monsanto or Exxon.”

12:15 Explaining “aggressive nonviolence.”

13:43 On getting arrested.

14:58 His cell – with a view of whales. And other prisoners asking for autographs.

19:35 Receiving more than 5000 letters.

20:48 “I've been given political asylum in France.”

21:11 “If I go to Canada, I'll be immediately arrested.”

23:43 Why the French are so supportive.

28:38 Iceland vs. whales.

29:21 Paul Watson Foundation vs. Icelandic whalers and more – including protecting dolphins, turtles and manatees.

36:17 Paul Watson on how to support his work and what he's up to now and next. “In my lifetime I want to eradicate whaling.”

37:45 Why Paul Watson is willing to put his life on the line for whales.

Skaana podcasts connect you to news and experts and their discussions about environments, oceans, and orcas.

• Skaana homepage
• Mark's homepage
• Join and support the Pod at Patreon
• Subscribe to the Skaana newsletter on Substack
• Subscribe to Mark Leiren-Young's newsletter on Substack
• Spotify
• Apple
• The Orca Bites Podcast (on anchor)
• Skaana on Medium……www.orcatales.com

Skaana on social media:

• Facebook
• Bluesky
• Instagram

Mark on social media:

• Facebook
• Instagram
• Threads

Listen to the whales – #FreePaulWatsonSupport Our Guest

• Captain Paul Watson Foundation 
• Petition to #FreePaulWatson
• Captain Paul Watson Foundation podcast
• Facebook
• Instagram
• YouTube

Books and classes for sale from Team Skaana

**Amazon links are affiliate links and support our podcast, thanks for clicking!**

• Octopus Ocean by Mark Leiren-Young
• Sharks Forever by Mark Leiren-Young
• Audiobooks by Mark Leiren-Young (Killer Whale Who Changed the World, Orcas Everywhere & Never Shoot a Stampede Queen) on Audible.com
• The Killer Whale Who Changed the World – print and e-book
• The Killer Whale Who Changed the World on Spotify
• Orcas Everywhere on Spotify
• Orcas Everywhere; Orcas of the Salish Sea & Big Whales, Small World 
• Paint the Ocean You Wish to See with Rayne Ellycrys Benu
• The Force of Doubt by Rayne Ellycrys Benu

Subscribe to the Skaana newsletter at Substack: https://skaanapod.substack.com/Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/skaana

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Let the Herring Live! Eric Pelkey is done pretending BC fishers should still be capturing herring. The Community Engagement Coordinator for the W̱SÁNEĆ leadership council talks about a proposed boycott, over-fishing, under-enforcement and the disappearance of a keystone species with significance to the W̱SÁNEĆ Nation and the entire eco-system of the Salish Sea. “Without the herring the salmon can't live. The sea lions can't live. The seals can't live. And if there's no salmon, the killer whales and the larger sea mammals can't live either. No salmon, no killer whales… The herring is a keystone species for the survival of life within the Salish Sea.”

Shownotes:

3:11 “The importance of herring to our people is immeasurable.” A trade item. A food source. And more.

6:31 “Herring and other fish provided a really substantial part of our diet… Not having that seafood and herring has really had a detrimental effect to the health of our people. Especially the First Nations women.”

10:20 How real is the herring “fishery” as an industry?

11:30 The history of herring fishing and when the herring were everywhere.

14:09 The Canadian government allowing over-fishing. “They went in there and took whole communities at once. And wiped them right out.”

15:10 “Without the herring the salmon can't live. The sea lions can't live. The seals can't live. And if there's no salmon, the killer whales and the larger sea mammals can't live either. No salmon, no killer whales… The herring is a keystone species for the survival of life within the Salish Sea.”

16:28 “The DFO is supposed to be the protector of the fish, of the sea… but the DFO speaks only to the commercial industry and listens only to them. And doesn't listen to us.”

17:45 “They're gonna do the same thing that they did on the east coast with the cod… it's like you're putting another arrow into the backs of the First Nations people.”

18:30 “They're willing to wipe out the herring for a few dollars more… for a few dollars.”

19:40 “Let the herring live!”

23:33 “Talk to your MLA or MP about the importance of herring.”

24:19 How long the moratorium should last – 20-25 years. Real science vs. pseudoscience.

25:32 His herring necklace.

Skaana podcasts connect you to news and experts and their discussions about environments, oceans, and orcas.

• Skaana homepage
• Mark's homepage
• Join and support the Pod at Patreon
• Subscribe to the Skaana newsletter
• Subscribe to Mark Leiren-Young's newsletter
• Spotify
• Apple
• The Orca Bites Podcast (on anchor)
• Skaana on Medium……www.orcatales.com

Skaana on social media:

• Facebook
• Bluesky
• Instagram

Mark on social media:

• Facebook
• Instagram
• Threads

Eric PelkeySupport Our Guest

• Initiatives
• Pacific Wild: Protect Pacific Herring
• Saanich Peninsula chiefs make historic call for herring moratorium 
• Pacific Wild Herring Fact Sheet

Books and classes for sale from Team Skaana

**Amazon links are affiliate links and support our podcast, thanks for clicking!**

• Octopus Ocean by Mark Leiren-Young
• Sharks Forever by Mark Leiren-Young
• Audiobooks by Mark Leiren-Young (Killer Whale Who Changed the World, Orcas Everywhere & Never Shoot a Stampede Queen) on Audible.com
• The Killer Whale Who Changed the World – print and e-book
• The Killer Whale Who Changed the World on Spotify
• Orcas Everywhere on Spotify
• Orcas Everywhere; Orcas of the Salish Sea & Big Whales, Small World 
• Paint the Ocean You Wish to See with Rayne Ellycrys Benu
• The Force of Doubt by Rayne Ellycrys Benu

 

Subscribe to the Skaana newsletter at Substack: https://skaanapod.substack.com/Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/skaana

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A letter from Captain Paul Watson from prison in Greenland, an interview with Paul in prison  and a plea for you – yes you – to help save his life. On December 18th, 2024, the government of Denmark will decide whether to send Captain Paul Watson to die in a Japanese prison. Please email the Danish Minister of Justice Peter Hummelgaard and ask for the immediate release of Captain Watson. Phone: +45 7226 8400 Mail: [email protected] Sign The Free Paul Watson Petition at www.paulwatsonfoundation.org and contact any government official you can to demand his release. Use the hashtag #FREEPAULWATSON on all social media posts. For more about what you can do, visit the Captain Paul Watson Foundation.

Shownotes:

6:27 A letter from jail in Greenland from Captain Paul Watson to Skaana host, Mark Leiren-Young.

14:08 An interview with Paul Watson from prison in Nuuk, Greenland – courtesy of the Captain Paul Watson Foundation podcast.

Skaana podcasts connect you to news and experts and their discussions about environments, oceans, and orcas.

• Skaana homepage
• Mark's homepage
• Join and support the Pod at Patreon
• Subscribe to the Skaana newsletter on Substack
• Subscribe to Mark Leiren-Young's newsletter on Substack
• Spotify
• Apple
• The Orca Bites Podcast (on anchor)
• Skaana on Medium……www.orcatales.com

Skaana on social media:

• Facebook
• Bluesky
• Instagram

Mark on social media:

• Facebook
• Instagram
• Threads

Listen to the whales – #FreePaulWatsonSupport Our Guest

• Captain Paul Watson Foundation 
• Petition to #FreePaulWatson
• Captain Paul Watson Foundation podcast
• Facebook
• Instagram
• YouTube
• Le Monde – Why Denmark is embarrassed by the Paul Watson affair
• The Guardian – ‘If I’m sent to Japan, I’m not coming home’: jailed anti-whaler defiant in face of extradition threat

Books and classes for sale from Team Skaana

**Amazon links are affiliate links and support our podcast, thanks for clicking!**

• Octopus Ocean by Mark Leiren-Young
• Sharks Forever by Mark Leiren-Young
• Audiobooks by Mark Leiren-Young (Killer Whale Who Changed the World, Orcas Everywhere & Never Shoot a Stampede Queen) on Audible.com
• The Killer Whale Who Changed the World – print and e-book
• The Killer Whale Who Changed the World on Spotify
• Orcas Everywhere on Spotify
• Orcas Everywhere; Orcas of the Salish Sea & Big Whales, Small World 
• Paint the Ocean You Wish to See with Rayne Ellycrys Benu
• The Force of Doubt by Rayne Ellycrys Benu

Subscribe to the Skaana newsletter at Substack: https://skaanapod.substack.com/Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/skaana

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.