How the Panama Canal Expansion is Threatening Panama’s Ecosystem and Water Supply
How To Protect The Ocean
The Panama Canal expansion allowed bigger ships to move through the canal; however, it also allowed an invasion of saltwater and saltwater fish into a freshwater lake, which threatened freshwater fish species and half of the country's drinking water. I dive into the unintended consequences of the 2016 Panama Canal expansion. Saltwater species from the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans are now invading Lake Gatún, displacing native freshwater fish and jeopardizing the water supply for nearly half of Panama’s population. Find out how this ecological shift is affecting local communities and the...
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Protecting Manta Rays from Over-Tourism in Hawaii – Martina Wing’s Mission
How To Protect The Ocean
How is the rise in tourism affecting manta rays in Hawaii? Martina Wing shares her firsthand experience with the challenges of growing tourism and its impact on manta ray populations. Learn how Martina is working to protect these majestic creatures and what needs to change to ensure their survival. This eye-opening conversation reveals the delicate balance between eco-tourism and marine conservation. Websites: Follow a career in conservation: Use the code SUFB to get 33% off courses and the careers program. Do you want to join my Ocean Community? Sign Up for Updates on the...
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How NOAA and EPA Layoffs Threaten Environmental Research and Public Safety
How To Protect The Ocean
In this episode of How to Protect the Ocean, we dive into the recent layoffs at NOAA and EPA, which have led to over a thousand scientists and environmental professionals losing their jobs. What does this mean for climate research, weather forecasting, and environmental protection? Join us as we unpack the consequences and what can be done to support these critical agencies. Follow a career in conservation: Use the code SUFB to get 33% off courses and the careers program. Do you want to join my Ocean Community? Sign Up for Updates on the process: Sign up for our...
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How Bahamian Music and Education Inspire Ocean Conservation
How To Protect The Ocean
How do you get people interested in learning about the ocean? In this episode of How to Protect the Ocean, we speak with Bahamian artist and educator Javan Hunt, who combines music and education to inspire the next generation of ocean stewards. Discover how his nonprofit work is helping kids in the Bahamas connect with their marine environment and why their backyard is key to conservation. Join us for a conversation on culture, biodiversity, and the power of storytelling to protect our oceans. 🎧 Listen now and subscribe for more ocean conservation insights! Follow a career in...
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How Much Do We Rely on Weather Forecasting? | The Truth About Weather Predictions
How To Protect The Ocean
How much do we truly depend on weather forecasting? Whether it’s planning our daily commute, scheduling outdoor events, or making critical decisions for agriculture and disaster preparedness, we rely on meteorologists and weather models more than we realize. But how accurate are these predictions, and what happens when they go wrong? In this episode, we dive into the fascinating world of weather forecasting with meteorologist Dave Jones. We explore the technology behind weather predictions, why forecasts sometimes miss the mark, and how climate change is making weather patterns more...
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Are all protected areas in the ocean equal? A study on the bonus species protection
How To Protect The Ocean
Are OECMs (Other Effective Area-Based Conservation Measures) just as effective as Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) in protecting biodiversity? In this episode of How to Protect the Ocean, we break down the differences, benefits, and challenges of OECMs, particularly in Canada’s conservation strategy. Learn how fisheries closures and Indigenous-led conservation initiatives contribute to marine biodiversity and whether they should be counted toward Canada’s 30x30 target. 🔹 What are OECMs, and how do they compare to MPAs? 🔹 Can fisheries closures serve as effective conservation...
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The Vaquita is on the Edge of Extinction – Can Technology Save It?
How To Protect The Ocean
The vaquita porpoise (Phocoena sinus) is the rarest marine mammal, with fewer than 10 individuals remaining in the wild. Found only in Mexico’s Gulf of California, this elusive species is critically endangered due to illegal gillnet fishing for totoaba, a fish highly valued in Chinese markets. 💡 But new conservation technology is offering hope! In this video, we explore: ✅ What makes the vaquita unique ✅ Why gillnets are the biggest threat ✅ How drones, sonar, and AI are being used to detect illegal fishing ✅ The latest conservation efforts by scientists and organizations...
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How Sustainable Supply Chains Are Changing Business
How To Protect The Ocean
Discover how sustainable supply chains are transforming businesses worldwide! In this insightful interview, Christophe Girardier dives into the challenges and innovations in supply chain sustainability. From reducing carbon footprints to adopting ethical sourcing practices, learn how companies are making a real impact on the environment and their bottom line. Don’t miss this conversation about the future of sustainable business! 🔹 Topics Covered: ✔️ Sustainable supply chain strategies ✔️ ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) practices ✔️ Reducing carbon emissions in...
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The Plastic Straw Ban Failed – Here’s What We Can Learn to Protect Our Oceans
How To Protect The Ocean
The plastic straw ban was meant to be a win for the environment—but why did it fail? In this video, we break down what went wrong, why people resisted, and what behavioral science teaches us about designing better conservation campaigns. 🌊🚯 We’ll explore: ✅ Why plastic straws became a target for bans ✅ The backlash and why some people rebelled against the ban ✅ How psychological and behavior change theories explain resistance ✅ Smarter ways to design future conservation efforts that actually work If we want to protect the ocean from plastic pollution, we need to rethink our...
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New Eco-Friendly Ice, Glice Synthetic Ice, Lower Energy Skating Alternative, Sustainable Skating Rink
How To Protect The Ocean
Are you a figure skater, hockey player, or just love gliding on ice? ❄️ Imagine skating on a surface that feels like real ice—but with zero refrigeration and lower energy costs! ⚡🌍 In this video, we explore Glice, an innovative synthetic ice that offers an eco-friendly alternative to traditional rinks. Find out how it works, why it’s changing the game, and how you can experience the future of skating! 🔔 Subscribe for more sustainable innovations! 📩 Share this with fellow skaters and rink owners! Follow a career in conservation: Use the code SUFB...
info_outlineOrca mourns second calf since 2018 in a devastating report that J35 was seen floating her dead calf on January 1st, 2025.
In this episode of the How to Protect the Ocean podcast, host Andrew Lewin discusses the tragic story of J35, a Southern Resident Orca, who lost her second calf, J61, shortly after its birth. The episode highlights several critical factors contributing to the high mortality rate of orca calves in this endangered population, which currently numbers only 73 individuals.
Reasons for Calf Mortality:
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Food Scarcity:
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The primary prey of the Southern Resident Orcas, Chinook salmon, is in decline. The orcas rely exclusively on this species for sustenance, and with only a 20% survival rate for calves, the lack of adequate food supply is a significant concern. The orcas need a sufficient quantity of Chinook salmon to support their growth and health, especially during the early stages of life.
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Chemical Contamination:
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Orcas are among the most contaminated marine mammals due to bioaccumulation of toxins such as PCBs and DDT. These chemicals can impair reproductive and immune functions, potentially affecting the health of calves from birth. The presence of these toxins in the environment may contribute to the inability of calves to survive past their first year.
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Environmental Disturbances:
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Factors such as vessel noise and pollution disrupt the orcas' habitat, further complicating their survival. Increased shipping traffic and climate change exacerbate these issues, leading to a more challenging environment for the orcas.
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Reproductive Challenges:
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The Southern Resident Orcas are a long-lived species that take time to reach sexual maturity. With a low calf survival rate, the population struggles to maintain its numbers, especially as older individuals begin to pass away.
The episode emphasizes the urgent need for conservation efforts, including habitat restoration and pollution control, to improve the chances of survival for orca calves and the overall health of the Southern Resident Orca population.
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