Starting an environmental nonprofit often begins with a vision and the determination to make a difference, but it also comes with challenges in funding, community support, and long-term sustainability. In this episode of How to Protect the Ocean, Bart Oor and Sander Brienen share the story of how they created Balean, a platform designed to help independent projects and nonprofits access the support they need to thrive.

Independent changemakers are reshaping how conservation work is done. Bart and Sander explain the obstacles they faced, how collaboration shaped their journey, and why Balean is launching in October as a dedicated space to fund and grow independent ocean initiatives. If you’re passionate about starting your own project or nonprofit, this conversation provides both inspiration and practical advice.

Website: https://www.balean.org/

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Pacific Islands Heritage Marine National Monument: For over a decade, these waters stood as one of the largest no-take zones on Earth, safeguarding corals, fish, and migratory species. But on day one of his presidency, Donald Trump erased the U.S. commitment to 30x30 and soon after issued Proclamation 10918, opening parts of the monument to commercial fishing.

Marine conservation at risk: The rollback sparked lawsuits and reignited the debate over whether U.S. marine protections are too vulnerable to political swings. Just two weeks ago, a court overturned Trump’s proclamation on a technicality, reclosing the area to fishing. In this episode, we break down what happened, what’s at stake, and how the U.S. can rebuild trust in its marine conservation commitments.

The future of 30x30: We explore the tension between conservation science, fishing industry pressure, and fragile presidential protections. The conversation highlights why codifying protections into law may be the only way forward to safeguard biodiversity hotspots like Wake, Johnston, and Jarvis.

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Less than 400 left — that’s how many North Atlantic right whales remain in the world. These critically endangered whales are at the center of an urgent conservation story, but how the media communicates about them plays a powerful role in shaping public awareness and action. In this episode of How to Protect the Ocean, Andrew Lewin sits down with Dr. Marcus Reamer, a new PhD graduate in science communication, to explore how newspapers and digital outlets covered right whale crises over the past decade.

Science communication emerges as a critical conservation tool, with Dr. Reamer sharing insights from his research on major publications like the New York Times, Washington Post, and LA Times. Together, they unpack why media coverage spikes during crises but fades when attention shifts elsewhere, and what this means for endangered species storytelling.

Whale conservation depends not only on data and science but also on the narratives shared with the public. This conversation highlights how media framing can help or hinder conservation literacy, and how improved communication can increase support for saving one of the world’s rarest whales.

Link to article: https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/2515-7620/adeeec

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Managing fishing vessels goes far beyond tracking where a boat is registered. In this episode, we dive into Oceana’s Beyond the Flag report to explore how large-scale fishing vessels are often flagged in one country but owned in another, creating dangerous loopholes that allow illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing to thrive. This legal and beneficial ownership opacity undermines ocean governance, drains resources from coastal nations, and hides the true power behind global fishing operations.

Managing fishing vessels transparently is essential for sustainable ocean futures. We discuss why more than 6,900 industrial vessels are shrouded in secrecy, how open registries like Panama and Belize fuel the problem, and what can be done to hold owners accountable. With solutions ranging from public vessel ownership databases to policy reform, this episode highlights how better transparency could transform fisheries management worldwide.

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Plastic pollution in the ocean is no longer just an environmental issue—it’s a public health crisis and an economic threat. In this episode, I break down the latest updates from the UN negotiations on a global plastics treaty, explaining why the talks in Geneva this month could set the course for the next generation’s relationship with plastic. From production caps to industry lobbying, the fight over how to address the problem is as intense as ever.

Plastic pollution in the ocean also raises questions about equity, with developing nations calling for solutions that protect both the environment and their right to grow sustainably. I share shocking new research on how microplastics are showing up in human bodies, costing trillions in healthcare, and why activists believe this treaty is our once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to act.

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How 5 billion sea stars died is a story that shook marine ecosystems along North America’s Pacific coast. This episode dives into the groundbreaking discovery of the bacterium Vibrio pectenicida, the pathogen responsible for sea star wasting disease, which decimated up to 90% of sunflower sea stars. We explore how the loss of these predators caused sea urchin populations to explode, leading to widespread kelp forest destruction, and what new recovery strategies—such as captive breeding, probiotics, and climate monitoring—could mean for the species and the habitats they support. By understanding the science and the solutions, we can help restore balance to one of the ocean’s most important coastal ecosystems.

Link to article: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/04/science/sea-stars-disease-vibrio-pectenicida.html

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Scientist Identifies New Manta Ray Species—the Atlantic Manta Ray, Mobula yarae—in a groundbreaking announcement from Dr. Andrea Marshall and her team at the Marine Megafauna Foundation. In this episode, Andrew Lewin shares the story of how Dr. Marshall, already renowned for identifying two distinct manta species in 2009, confirmed a long-suspected third species after years of meticulous observation, genetic analysis, and global collaboration.

Listen to this remarkable story of how this new species was first spotted off the Yucatán Peninsula, how it differs from other mantas, and why its recognition is a crucial win for marine conservation. Andrew also reflects on the significance of species discovery for protecting vulnerable marine life and the importance of scientific persistence in the face of challenges.

Link to Article: https://marinemegafauna.org/news/third-manta-ray-species-mobula-yarae-discovered-in-atlantic-ocean

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Climate Crisis and Capitalism are at the heart of David Suzuki’s powerful message in this episode. In a candid and impassioned reflection, Suzuki warns that if we continue to prioritize politics and the economy over protecting the environment, we may as well give up on climate action. He challenges the cultural obsession with perpetual economic growth, critiques the short-sightedness of political cycles, and urges a fundamental shift in our collective priorities.

David Suzuki’s call for transformation is both urgent and inspiring. He advocates for placing the environment at the center of all decision-making, recognizing that our survival depends on living within ecological limits. Drawing on decades of experience as a scientist, broadcaster, and environmental activist, Suzuki encourages individuals to embrace systems thinking, reevaluate their relationship with nature, and demand more from leaders who treat the planet as expendable. This is a wake-up call that goes beyond environmentalism—it’s a call for a radical reimagining of our future.

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Map the Deep Sea to protect what we don’t yet understand. In this episode, Andrew Lewin speaks with Tim Kearns from Map the Gaps, a global initiative working to close the knowledge gap beneath the waves. With over 75% of the seafloor still unmapped in high resolution, the ocean remains Earth’s final frontier—and unlocking its secrets is essential for biodiversity, disaster planning, and climate action.

Ocean mapping is more than bathymetry. It’s a tool for social justice, environmental stewardship, and informed decision-making. Tim shares how Map the Gaps supports small island nations, Indigenous communities, and global science efforts through collaboration and cutting-edge technology. From an exploration policy perspective, this conversation makes a clear case: mapping the deep sea is the foundation for a sustainable ocean future.

Website: https://www.mapthegaps.org/

Map the Gaps Website: https://www.mapthegaps.org/symposium

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Ocean Books can do more than entertain—they can inspire action, hope, and a fresh way of thinking about climate change. In this episode, Todd Medema introduces his new novel, How to Surf a Hurricane, a solarpunk heist that imagines a near-future world adapting to climate change. Todd and Andrew Lewin explore how fiction can shift the narrative from doom to determination, showing how communities can come together to protect nature and build a better future.

Solarpunk climate fiction takes center stage in the second half of the conversation. Todd shares his journey from clean energy and political advocacy to storytelling, describing the writing process, the publishing hurdles, and how his background shaped the world he built. This episode is for anyone who wants to see climate action through a more creative, hopeful lens.

Website: https://howtosurfahurricane.com/

 

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