The Ocean Impact Podcast

Simeon Pieterkosky and Liane Thompson are the founders of Aquaai, an innovative startup using robotics and biomimicry to gather critical data from the ocean and waterways.

A unique feature of Aquaai’s technology is a nature-inspired, ‘fish like’ design that moves seamlessly through the ocean allowing for accurate data collection and reduced stress in certain settings, eg. aquaculture.

Aquaai have also pioneered ‘FaaS - Fish as a Service’ and a control system that showcases real time data and quality video for rapid and precision decision making.

Simeon and Liane are genuine and enthusiastic ocean impact entrepreneurs and share plenty of valuable insights from their journey to date and future ambitions.

To learn more visit https://www.aquaai.com/

Follow Aquaai on IG: https://www.instagram.com/aquaaicorp/

Follow Aquaai on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/aquaai/

Get the show notes here: https://www.ocean-impact.org/podcast

Nathan Pyne-Carter is the CEO of Ace Aquatec, an award-winning aquaculture technology company specialising in in-water electric stunners; automated waterjet bleeding; gentle contactless pumping; biomass cameras and Sea Lice removal systems.

There are many challenges in ensuring fisheries attain a high standard of ethical and sustainable practices. One often overlooked challenge is the ethical and humane treatment of fish in aquaculture and wild-caught fisheries. Thankfully, businesses like Ace Aquatec exist, helping operators maintain ethical standards and become more profitable.

In this episode of our Pitchfest 2021 Series, Nathan talks about how Ace Aquatec has pioneered new technologies and approaches and navigated the long road of building and leading a successful ocean impact startup.

To learn more visit https://aceaquatec.com/

Follow Ace Aquatec on IG: https://www.instagram.com/aceaquatec/

Follow Ace Aquatec on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ace-aquatec-ltd/

Get the show notes here: https://www.ocean-impact.org/podcast

Crowdsource Cleaning the Planet: Jeff Kirschner from Litterati | EP01 Pitchfest 2021 Series

Jeff Kirschner is the founder and CEO of Litterati, a startup on a mission to identify, map, and eliminate the world's litter.

A former world backpacker turned bartender, Jeff is a serial entrepreneur with a love for storytelling. When his 4-year old daughter saw a plastic tub lying in the woods, little did Jeff realise that it would be the spark for creating Litterati - a data-science company empowering people to create a litter-free world.

Jeff's work has been featured by Rolling Stone, National Geographic, and CNN. He is a Global Good Fund fellow, and former resident at TED.

In this first episode of our Pitchfest 2021 Series, Jeff talks about how Litterati found a business model that worked, how integrating machine learning made the app even better, and how data is driving change.

To learn more visit https://www.litterati.org

Follow Litterati on IG: https://www.instagram.com/litterati

Follow Litterati on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/litterati/

Get the show notes here: https://www.ocean-impact.org/podcast

Mike Smith is the Founder and Chief ‘Used Pouch Salesman’ of Zero Co, an Australian startup on a mission to untrash the planet by stopping the production of new single use plastics in the home cleaning and personal care industries. An experienced entrepreneur and founder, Mike zeroed in on developing a solution to the plastic pollution problem after an 18-month adventure around the globe with his now wife, Alyssa. No matter where Mike and Alyssa trekked they couldn’t escape the scourge of discarded plastic.

With a fire ignited in Mike to develop a solution to the plastic problem it was in depth analysis of supermarket aisles that led him to the glaring opportunity of innovation in the home cleaning and personal care product categories. Mike, Alyssa and a new recruit Kate set about building Zero Co in April 2019, launching a Kickstarter campaign to launch the business in October 2019 that raised $740k in pre-sale orders. Fast forward to October 2021 and Zero Co launched an equity crowdfunding campaign on Birchal that raised $5m in 7 hours - the fastest and biggest equity crowdfunding campaign in Australia’s history.

Disrupting a product category fuelled by multinational corporations with household brands that have existed for decades is not an easy task. Nor is building a business built on circular economy principles and supply chains that don’t exist yet. Through his tenacity, intellect and the right support structures Mike is doing what others might have considered infeasible, even impossible. Mike is the first to put up his hand and admit to the mistakes he’s made and also the first to nominate himself to try something new and bold.

At OIO we are fuelled by the growing urgency and opportunity to tackle the enormous challenges facing Planet Ocean through inspiration, innovation and ‘good business’. When you come across entrepreneurs like Mike and startups like Zero Co, you can’t help but be inspired and optimistic at the potential for this emerging ocean impact ecosystem to truly help transform the future.

For more information on Mike and Zero Co visit: https://www.zeroco.com.au/

To follow Zero Co on Instagram visit: https://www.instagram.com/zeroco.com.au/

To read more about Zero Co’s Birchal campaign please visit: https://www.birchal.com/company/zeroco

Lisa Blair is an Australian adventurer, author, keynote speaker and multi world record holding sailor. After the passionate and rapid adoption of open ocean sailing and solo ocean sailing, Lisa set off from Albany, Western Australia in January 2017 in a bold effort to break the world record for a solo circumnavigation of Antarctica. 72 days into the adventure tragedy struck when a storm dismasted her vessel - Lisa was stranded 1000 nautical miles from land with no mast and enormous challenges ahead.

Limping back to land for repairs in Cape Town, South Africa it was clear Lisa wouldn’t break the speed record but by persevering through the remainder of the leg to set the record as the first woman to sail solo around Antarctica with one stop. Lisa’s competitive spirit and ambitious goals to break the speed record have led to her repeating the adventure, Lisa will depart Albany again in December 2021 for ‘Antarctica 2.0’ with a goal to break the solo speed record of 102 days. OIO will be closely following the journey and reporting back to our community as one of Lisa’s community partners.

For anyone who has experienced sailing or traversing vast stretches of the open ocean, Lisa’s efforts to undertake these enormous adventures solo is viewed as either an amazing feat or just plain crazy. What makes Lisa so unique and inspirational is that her efforts are not just for the fame and glory of setting world records but to raise awareness of the critically important issues facing Planet Ocean. Lisa’s boat, aptly named ‘Climate Action Now’, is blazoned with graphically designed images of post it notes from people across the world pledging their messages of support for action to restore our majestic planet. Members of the public can head to her website (https://lisablairsailstheworld.com/) to add their own pledge and support the project.

At OIO we are constantly in awe of Planet Ocean and the brave people who boldly persevere through adversity to bring awareness and action to restore ocean health. If you are as inspired by this conversation and Lisa’s efforts please consider supporting the project through a tax deductible donation or by sponsoring a degree of the voyage. The Antarctica 2.0 expedition is proudly sponsored by Canva, Laurus Projects and Red Sky Insurance and a diverse range of in-kind partners.

For more information on Lisa and the Antarctica 2.0 expedition please visit: https://lisablairsailstheworld.com/

To follow Lisa on Instagram visit: https://www.instagram.com/lisablairsailstheworld/

To sponsor a degree of the voyage please visit: https://lisablairsailstheworld.com/360-degree-sponsors

Dr. Clinton Schultz is a surfer, psychologist, proud Gamilaroi man and the co-founder of First Nations owned and operated business Sobah. Sobah are pioneers of the Australian non-alcoholic craft beer industry with a distinctive unique selling point in the use of Australian native plant ingredients in their growing range of beverages.

In this podcast recorded live on Instagram, Clinton shares some of his unique backstory that sets the stage for the mission behind Sobah. Having battled through his own challenges with alcohol and substance abuse, Clinton was driven to build a business that would enable bold positive impacts on the lives and livelihoods of many.

In this first Ocean Impact Podcast episode recorded with a First Nations owned and operated startup we discuss some of the challenges associated with the flourishing Australian native foods sector where increasing demand is placing pressure on supply chains and the First Nations businesses and communities that are positioned to capitalise on opportunities whilst caring for country and caring for community.

Clinton also talks about the future ambitions of Sobah and how, by building a successful beverage business, they plan to initiate broad positive impacts in a range of areas, including: protecting coral reefs and the Daintree Rainforest. Having just closed a successful $1m equity crowdfunding campaign through Birchal, the future is looking bright indeed for this homegrown First Nations led startup.

Clinton, his wife Lozen and the entire team at Sobah are a brilliant example of how a business can be built on passion and a commitment to make positive impacts. We look forward to seeing where the journey takes them, keep up the great work Clinton and team!

For more information on Sobah please visit: https://sobah.com.au/

To follow Sobah in Instagram please visit: https://www.instagram.com/sobahbeverages/

To review the recent equity crowdfunding campaign on Birchal please visit: https://www.birchal.com/company/sobahbeverages

Dr Vanessa Pirotta is a wildlife scientist, science communicator and ‘Superstar of STEM’. Vanessa’s achievements in wildlife conservation, research and science communication have led to wide acclaim in recent years, including being the national Winner of FameLab (and 2nd globally); recognised as a Top 100 Women of Influence by the Australian Financial Review and a Superstar of STEM with Science and Technology Australia.

Vanessa’s research efforts include a focus on whales, and how novel technologies can help capture new information about the biology and behaviour of these magnificent creatures. Vanessa has received global awareness and acclaim through a pioneering methodology that uses drones to capture whale ‘snot’, a technique that can replace more invasive approaches and lead to a range of new insights otherwise difficult to ascertain.

In this podcast recorded live on Instagram, Vanessa shares her inspirational story about how a young woman from regional Australia can embark on a passion-fuelled journey to become a globally recognised and celebrated ocean researcher and science communicator. For anyone driven to make a positive difference on Planet Ocean this is sure to captivate and motivate.

With Vanessa’s passion for ocean science, communication and innovative technologies you can bet we’ll be keeping close tabs on her future efforts. Keep up the great work Vanessa!

For more information please visit:

Vanessa Pirotta website: https://www.vanessapirotta.com/

Vanessa on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drvanessapirotta

Vanessa on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drvanessapirotta/

Footage of Vanessa discussing whale snot capture using drone technology: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2PXgFoTtwi0

Vanessa’s TED talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2PXgFoTtwi0

Footage of humpback whales ‘bubble’ feeding in Southern NSW, Australia: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-09-13/whales-filmed-feeding-off-nsw-sapphire-coast/100457078

Courtney Boyd Myers (aka CBM) is the co-founder and CEO of AKUA, a US based startup on a mission to bring healthy, sustainable seagreens (kelp) products to markets across the world. AKUA launched their business with ‘kelp jerky’ via a successful crowdfunding campaign in 2017, and recently launched a new ‘kelp burger’ via an equity crowdfunding campaign that secured over $US1m on the Republic platform.

Each time we speak about seaweed and the remarkable opportunities to accelerate seaweed startups on the Ocean Impact Podcast we get a huge response, and that’s no surprise. Seaweed is a ‘zero input crop’ meaning that no water, fertilisers, pesticides or additives are required during the growing process and the result is a growing medium that is left in a better state than when it was found i.e. cleaner water.

Sourcing their sustainable kelp from a network of (majority female owned) seaweed farms along the coast of Maine, USA, AKUA is helping an industry that currently supplies more seaweed than is in demand - we all need to help change that!

A global citizen, CBM has had a diverse career as a journalist, community builder, entrepreneur and investor. Courtney is also an avid kite surfer and is most happy when on, in or near salt water.

We thank CBM for her determination and leadership in building AKUA and being a pioneer for sustainable seagreens - keep up the great work Courtney and Team!

P.S. Customers across the US can now order AKUA’s ‘kelp burgers’ online and find them on an increasing number of menus, keep an eye out and ask for one at your local burger joint!

Please visit the following links for more information

AKUA website: https://akua.co/

Order kelp burgers (US): https://akua.co/products/kelp-burger

AKUA campaign on Republic: https://republic.co/akua

AKUA on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lifeakua/

Dr Easkey Britton is an Irish surfer, author, marine social scientist, artist and ocean leader. Easkey’s research, passion and writing explores human connection with the natural cycles of the environment and, in particular, with the ocean. In her new book, ‘Saltwater in the Blood’ Easkey has penned a memoir of her unique ocean story and adventures that have helped shape her own connection to the sea and enabled many others to generate their ocean story.

Easkey is part of a growing movement of academics and researchers exploring the role and enormous potential of water in healing and enhancing human beings. These include previous guests on the Ocean Impact Podcast: Wallace J. Nichols and Dr Cliff Kapono. ‘Blue Health’ and ‘Blue Care’ are themes that Easkey explores to help understand the role the ocean can perform in repairing the cycles of disconnect we often face and improving the lives and wellbeing of diverse groups, including those with disabilities.

A scan of Easkey’s website reveals a vast range of projects and collaborations that have seen her: help foster a new surfing movement with women in Iran; aid gender equality in the ocean in Papua New Guinea; drive progress in ocean health policy and much more.

We thank Easkey for her time and all that she is doing to bring awareness to the remarkable gifts that Planet Ocean provides to people and communities the world over.

Please visit the following links for more information

Easkey Britton website: https://easkeybritton.com/

Where to purchase ‘Saltwater in the Blood’: https://www.penguin.com.au/books/saltwater-in-the-blood-9781786785558

Easkey’s TEDx Talk: https://youtu.be/83YnsBQzGM8

INCLUSEA website: https://inclusea.eu/

A Lunar Cycle short film: https://vimeo.com/288338638

Sarah Wilson is an award-winning author, minimalist, philanthropist and climate activist. After a career in the limelight of media and TV and as the founder of ‘I Quit Sugar’, Sarah has increasingly strengthened her voice to bring colour, understanding and lived experiences to many of the complex social, environmental and personal challenges that we face as a species.

Sarah’s most recent book, ‘This One Wild and Precious Life’ is a personal journey through understanding the climate crisis and what has led humanity to be in our current predicament. Notably, Sarah explores the perils of western capitalism and neo liberalism and how these systems have led to the crumbling of environmental, social and cultural structures and what needs to be done to piece a better version of the puzzle back together.

Our podcast host Tim and Sarah have a long history as friends and allies in the pursuit of rational progress on environmental issues in Australia, particularly around living with less and introducing systems to reduce and better manage waste. Naturally, the conversation flows into the current situation with Australia’s political leadership and inaction on bold climate policy.

For more information on Sarah and the subjects discussed in this podcast please visit the links below:

Sarah Wilson website: https://www.sarahwilson.com/

Read: ‘This One Wild and Precious Life’: https://www.sarahwilson.com/this-one-wild-and-precious-life/

Podcast: Wild With Sarah Wilson: https://www.sarahwilson.com/podcast/

Sarah Wilson on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_sarahwilson_/

‘They Vote For You’ website: https://theyvoteforyou.org.au/

List of grassroots political groups in Australia under the ‘Voices Of” umbrella: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_grassroots_political_engagement_groups_in_Australia