The World Just Promised Billions, But Will the Ocean Benefit?
How To Protect The Ocean
The world just pledged more than $6.4 billion for ocean conservation at the 2026 Our Ocean Conference, but history tells us that big announcements do not always lead to meaningful action. In this episode, we unpack what was actually announced, who made the commitments, and why the headline number is only part of the story. You’ll learn why this year’s conference in Kenya was especially significant and what makes these commitments different from legally binding agreements. We also explore the question that rarely gets asked: how do we know whether these promises will ever become real...
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What Dead Seabirds Are Trying to Tell Us About the Pacific Ocean
How To Protect The Ocean
Thousands of seabirds are washing ashore along California’s coast, starving, exhausted, and unable to find enough food. While the images are heartbreaking, scientists say the birds are only the visible symptom of a much larger problem unfolding beneath the surface. In this episode, we explore why seabirds are dying and what their struggle reveals about the health of the Pacific Ocean. You’ll learn how marine heat waves are disrupting one of the world’s most productive ocean ecosystems by reducing nutrients, shrinking fish populations, and breaking apart the marine food web. We also look...
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Who Really Decides Canada’s Climate Future?
How To Protect The Ocean
Canada has admitted it is no longer on track to meet its 2030 climate targets, but the reasons go far beyond domestic politics. In this episode, we explore how changing economic priorities are reshaping Canada’s approach to climate action. The surprising twist is that many of these changes begin outside Canada’s borders. New U.S. tariffs and shifting trade policies are putting pressure on Canada’s economy, forcing leaders to rethink where to invest and what to prioritize. As economic policy changes, climate policy often changes with it. We follow that chain of events to understand why...
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The Hidden Ocean World Most of Us Will Never See
How To Protect The Ocean
Most of us will never visit the deep ocean, yet it covers the majority of our planet and supports life in ways we’re only beginning to understand. In this episode, Andrew Lewin wraps up the Surfacing Secrets series with Ocean Networks Canada by exploring why the deep sea remains one of Earth’s greatest frontiers. You’ll discover how scientists are uncovering hidden ecosystems that could reshape our understanding of the ocean. Andrew is joined by Monica Peltz of Ocean Networks Canada and Heidi Gartner from Fisheries and Oceans Canada to discuss what it takes to study places thousands of...
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What We Don’t Know About the Ocean Could Cost Us Everything
How To Protect The Ocean
How do you protect something you barely understand? In this episode, we explore why ocean exploration is much more than discovering strange creatures or mapping the seafloor. Every marine protected area, conservation plan, and fisheries decision begins with one essential ingredient: knowledge. You’ll discover how scientists collect the information that guides conservation, from mapping underwater canyons to identifying coral gardens and sponge reefs that most people will never see. We also look at what happens when important ecosystems are damaged before we even know they exist, and why...
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How Do Scientists Explore a Place Humans Can’t Survive?
How To Protect The Ocean
The deep ocean is one of the most extreme places on Earth. Crushing pressure, freezing temperatures, and total darkness make it impossible for humans to explore for long, yet scientists continue to make incredible discoveries thousands of meters below the surface. So how do they do it? In this episode, you’ll discover the remarkable technology that makes deep sea exploration possible. From remotely operated vehicles and autonomous underwater robots to multibeam sonar, artificial intelligence, and environmental DNA, these tools are transforming how we study one of the least explored parts of...
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The Deep Sea Isn’t Barren, Here’s Why That Changes Everything
How To Protect The Ocean
Most people picture the deep sea as a dark, empty place where almost nothing can survive. The truth is far more surprising. Thousands of meters below the surface lives an extraordinary world filled with ancient corals, giant sponges, glowing jellyfish, strange fish, and species that scientists are still discovering today. In this episode, you’ll learn how life has adapted to crushing pressure, freezing temperatures, and complete darkness. You’ll also discover why deep-sea ecosystems are some of the most important habitats on Earth, supporting biodiversity, fisheries, and even helping us...
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We’ve Explored Space Better Than Our Own Ocean, How Is That Possible?
How To Protect The Ocean
How can we know more about the Moon and Mars than the bottom of our own ocean? It sounds impossible, but it is true. In this episode, we begin a special series on deep ocean exploration by uncovering why so much of our planet remains a mystery and why that matters more than ever. The deep ocean plays a critical role in regulating Earth’s climate, supporting marine life, and helping sustain the ecosystems we depend on every day. Yet scientists have only explored a tiny fraction of it because of crushing pressure, complete darkness, and the enormous scale of the seafloor. You’ll discover why...
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What Happens to Ocean Science During a War?
How To Protect The Ocean
What happens to marine conservation when a humanitarian crisis unfolds? In this episode of How to Protect the Ocean, we explore the remarkable story of marine scientist Mohammed Abu Daya, whose work studying endangered giant devil rays has continued despite the immense challenges of living and working in Gaza. His story reminds us that conservation is ultimately about people as much as it is about wildlife. You’ll learn why giant devil rays are among the Mediterranean’s most vulnerable species, why scientists still know so little about them, and how local research can shape global...
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The Return of Mangroves Should Give You Hope
How To Protect The Ocean
For years, mangrove forests were seen as one of the world’s fastest disappearing coastal ecosystems. Cleared for development, shrimp farming, and agriculture, these unique forests seemed locked in a steady decline. But a new global study tells a much more hopeful story. Researchers have found that mangroves are recovering in many parts of the world, offering one of the most encouraging conservation success stories in recent years. In this episode, I break down why mangroves are so important for the health of our oceans and the people who depend on them. You’ll learn how these coastal...
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
Twitter: https://bit.ly/3rHZxpc
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.