How 4ocean Turned Bracelets Into 50 Million Pounds of Ocean Trash Removed
How To Protect The Ocean
4ocean has removed more than 50 million pounds of plastic and trash from the world's oceans, rivers, and coastlines. That milestone did not come from a government program or a traditional nonprofit. It came from a for-profit business built around a single idea: every bracelet sold funds the removal of a pound of ocean trash. In this episode, Andrew breaks down how 4ocean went from one viral video in Bali to a global cleanup operation, why founders Alex Schulze and Andrew Cooper chose a business model over a nonprofit, and how the company built local jobs, recycling infrastructure, and B Corp...
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The Boat Sharing Economy Is Exploding, Here's Why You Shouldn't Buy a Boat
How To Protect The Ocean
The boat rental market is bigger than most people realize, and it's growing fast. In this episode, Andrew shares a personal story about his dad, boats, and why he's spent the last few months considering buying one, before walking through the data that changed his mind about ownership altogether. Andrew breaks down the numbers behind the boat sharing economy: a market valued between nineteen and twenty three billion dollars US, growing five to seven percent a year, with electric propulsion emerging as the fastest growing segment in boat rentals. Peer to peer platforms like Getmyboat,...
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Why Cargo Ships Are Bringing Back Sails to Cut Emissions
How To Protect The Ocean
Global shipping moves roughly 80 to 90% of the world's trade, and it comes with a real climate cost: the industry is responsible for a little over 2% of global CO2 emissions. On today's episode of the How to Protect the Ocean Podcast, Andrew looks at one of the more surprising fixes the industry is turning to: sails. Not the old canvas kind, but massive rigid wing sails retrofitted onto modern cargo vessels to cut fuel use and emissions without waiting on next-generation fuels. The centerpiece example is the Pyxis Ocean, a bulk carrier fitted with two 37.5-meter WindWings that fold down like...
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Can Hollywood Go Green? Inside the Sustainable Production Movement
How To Protect The Ocean
Hollywood might not be the first industry you think of when it comes to protecting the planet, but film and TV production has been quietly transforming how it operates behind the scenes. In this episode, Andrew sits down with Zena Harris, founder and president of Green Spark Group and co-host of The Tie-In podcast, to unpack what sustainability actually looks like on a working film set. Zena walks through the surprising ways major productions are cutting fuel consumption, swapping diesel generators for solar power and battery stations, and building a circular economy for set materials instead...
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Greenwashing Exposed: Why 400+ Companies Got Caught Lying About Sustainability in 2026
How To Protect The Ocean
Businesses love to say they are sustainable. Andrew breaks down why that word is no longer enough on its own. A new EU consumer protection regulation now requires companies to prove environmental claims with evidence, and it has helped drive more than 400 greenwashing-related enforcement actions across the US, UK, EU, Canada, Australia, and India in 2026 alone. Andrew draws on his own university experience with food labeling regulation to explain how vague standards let companies technically comply while misleading the public, then walks through real cases including SEC fines against Goldman...
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People and Sustainability: The Human Cost Big Business Keeps Ignoring
How To Protect The Ocean
Sustainability conversations usually center on ecosystems, emissions targets, and corporate pledges, but this episode makes the case that people belong at the center of that conversation too. Andrew looks at how communities living closest to refineries, extraction sites, and industrial waterfronts carry a disproportionate share of the pollution burden, often without having consented to the risk in the first place. Using a Philadelphia refinery as a case study, Andrew walks through how fenceline communities experience higher poverty rates, higher rates of residents of color, and elevated cancer...
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Why Sustainable Companies Actually Save Money
How To Protect The Ocean
Sustainability isn't just good PR; it's good business math. In this episode, Andrew breaks down why companies are shifting toward circular business models, using Philips Lighting as a case study in selling light as a service instead of a product. He digs into the economics behind the shift: a British industrial symbiosis study that saved companies significant money and cut CO2 emissions, a PwC Sweden study showing double-digit operating cost reductions in circular electronics, and the rise of sustainability-linked loans that reward companies for hitting circularity targets with lower interest...
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Why Sustainability Is Becoming a Business Requirement
How To Protect The Ocean
Sustainability anxiety is real. Watching wildfires spread, sea levels rise, and ice melt while governments drag their feet on climate policy can leave anyone feeling stuck. Andrew opens today's episode by naming that frustration directly, then makes the case for where real momentum is actually coming from: business. This episode breaks down why companies are adopting sustainability practices, sometimes because they want to and sometimes because regulation and consumer pressure leave them little choice. Andrew walks through the European Union's corporate sustainability due diligence directive,...
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How to Network at Marine Science Conferences Like a Pro
How To Protect The Ocean
Conferences can feel intimidating, expensive, and overwhelming, especially if networking doesn't come naturally to you. In this episode, Andrew shares what more than a decade of attending marine science and conservation conferences has taught him about making real connections, from picking the right event for your career stage to crafting an elevator pitch that actually works. Andrew walks through how to choose a conference that fits your specific field, why in-person events build stronger professional relationships than virtual ones, and why even seasoned scientists like Dr. David Ebert still...
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Marineland Canada Shuts Down: The Beluga Whale Rescue Begins
How To Protect The Ocean
Marineland Canada is officially closing, and this week the park began moving its remaining beluga whales out of Niagara Falls. Six belugas were flown out on a single flight this week, four to the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago and two to SeaWorld San Antonio, marking the start of a rescue effort that has been years in the making. Andrew walks through how the park got here, from its 1961 founding through decades of protests, whistleblower allegations, OSPCA charges, and a failed 2025 attempt to export the belugas to a Chinese aquarium. The episode traces the full timeline: the 2012 Toronto Star...
info_outlineAndrew Lewin discusses a controversial incident in Australia involving a humpback whale and a swimmer. The incident has raised concerns about the impact of swim-with-whale tourism on humpback whale behavior. Join Andrew as he delves into the story and explores potential actions that could be taken, possibly starting with government intervention.
Tune in to learn more about protecting our oceans and how you can make a difference.
Links:
Contact the Queensland Department of Environment, Science, and Innovation:
https://www.desi.qld.gov.au/contactus
Queensland Rules around whale watching: https://environment.desi.qld.gov.au/wildlife/animals/living-with/watching-marine-mammals/rules
Stephanie Stack's TikTok Video: https://www.tiktok.com/@whalescientist/video/7409906978316930350
Sign Up for Updates on the process: www.speakupforblue.com/oceanapp
Connect with Speak Up For Blue:
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TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@speakupforblue
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YouTube: www.speakupforblue.com/youtube
Regulations and enforcement in the swim-with-whale tourism industry are crucial for protecting humpback whales and ensuring tourist safety. The incident discussed in the podcast episode highlighted the potential dangers of close interactions between humans and humpback whales during swim tours. The humpback whale carrying a person out of the water demonstrated the unpredictability of these interactions and the need for stricter regulations.
The episode emphasized the importance of establishing clear guidelines and rules for swim-with-whale activities to prevent disturbances to humpback whales. Research conducted by ecologists, including Stephanie Stack, indicated that the behavior of humpback whales was significantly altered during swim tours, leading to disruptions in their resting patterns and overall behavior. These disturbances could have negative implications for the well-being of the whale population and the sustainability of marine tourism.
To address these concerns, it was suggested that the Queensland government should implement stronger regulations and enforcement measures for swim-with-whale tours. Currently, there appears to be a lack of specific laws governing these activities, leaving room for operators to potentially overlook important safety and conservation protocols. Strengthening regulations would not only protect humpback whales from potential harm but also ensure the safety of tourists participating in these immersive experiences.
Furthermore, the episode highlighted the need for collaboration between whale-watching companies, scientific researchers, and conservationists to develop comprehensive codes of conduct for swim-with-whale tours. By establishing industry-wide standards and promoting adherence to these guidelines, operators can minimize disruptions to humpback whales and create a safer environment for both the animals and tourists.
In conclusion, the podcast episode underscored the urgency of enhancing regulations and enforcement in the swim-with-whale tourism industry to safeguard humpback whales and promote responsible marine tourism practices. By prioritizing the well-being of these majestic creatures and implementing stringent guidelines, stakeholders can work towards creating a sustainable and ethical environment for human-wildlife interactions in the marine realm.
Humpback whales can be disturbed by human interactions, impacting their behavior and potentially affecting their population recovery. The episode highlights an incident in Australia where a humpback whale carried a person out of the water during a swim-with-whale tourism activity. This interaction, although seemingly harmless as the person was unharmed, can have significant consequences for the whales.
Research conducted by ecologists, including Stephanie Stack, has shown that commercial swimming with whale tours can lead to disturbances in humpback whale behavior. The study found that the whales made direct changes when swimmers were in the water, and the whales did not resume undisturbed behavior even after the swimmers exited the water. This disruption can have negative implications for the whales, especially since humpback whales are capital breeders with limited energy reserves.
Furthermore, the study revealed a 50% reduction in the proportion of time that whales spent resting during swim tours compared to whale watch tours. This reduction in resting time can impact the overall health and well-being of the humpback whale population. It is crucial to minimize disturbances to humpback whales to ensure their continued population recovery and the sustainability of the marine tourism industry.
The episode emphasizes the need for robust education, enforcement programs, and continued monitoring of humpback whale populations to mitigate the impacts of human interactions. Regulations and enforcement of these rules are essential to protect humpback whales from disturbances caused by swim-with-whale activities. By understanding and addressing the potential negative effects of human interactions on humpback whales, we can work towards ensuring the conservation and recovery of this species.
Collaboration between operators, scientists, and government officials is crucial for the development and implementation of effective regulations for swim-with-whale tours. In the podcast episode, it was highlighted that the incident involving a humpback whale carrying a person out of the water raised concerns about the impact of swim-with-whale tourism on humpback whale behavior.
Stephanie Stack, a researcher studying whale tourism impacts, emphasized the need for robust education, enforcement programs, and continued monitoring of population dynamics through scientific research to minimize negative impacts on humpback whales. She conducted a study in Hervey Bay where the whale-watching fleet developed their own code of conduct for swim tours, indicating a proactive approach by operators in response to research findings.
The episode also mentioned the importance of strengthening and enforcing existing regulations to ensure the safety of both humans and whales during these interactions. It was noted that while regulations exist, there is a need for additional rules to address specific scenarios, such as maintaining adequate distances and respecting whale resting times.
By fostering collaboration among operators, scientists, and government officials, a comprehensive set of regulations can be developed that considers the well-being of humpback whales and the safety of tourists. Operators can benefit from scientific insights to enhance their practices, while government officials can ensure that regulations are effectively enforced to protect marine wildlife.
Overall, the episode underscores the significance of multi-stakeholder collaboration in creating sustainable and responsible swim-with-whale tours. By working together, these parties can address the challenges posed by such activities and strive towards a harmonious coexistence between humans and humpback whales in their natural habitat.