From Engineer to Ocean Advocate: Carlos Mallo's Journey with Innoceana
Release Date: 01/08/2025
Who Decides How Much Fish Ends Up on Your Plate?
How To Protect The Ocean
Most people assume fisheries are either working or failing, but very few people know how the system actually works. In this episode, I break down the hidden process behind fishing limits, stock assessments, political negotiations, and the science that shapes what ends up on your plate. You will learn why fisheries management can go wrong, what happens when countries ignore the science, and how better systems like harvest rules and stronger accountability can help fisheries recover. This episode also sets up tomorrow’s interview with Susan Jackson from ISSF, where we will reveal just how far...
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Why the Tuna on Your Plate Didn’t Run Out
How To Protect The Ocean
Tuna sustainability might be the biggest ocean success story you’ve never heard about. Nearly 100 percent of global tuna catch is no longer experiencing overfishing, but that didn’t happen by accident. There is a hidden system behind the scenes that most people never see, and it is quietly changing how fisheries work around the world. Harvest rules for fisheries are replacing political negotiations with science-based decisions. Instead of arguing every year about how much fish to catch, managers now use pre-agreed rules that respond automatically to changes in fish populations. This shift...
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How Do We Know If Tuna Is Running Out?
How To Protect The Ocean
Tuna fishing is a global industry, but how do we actually know if we’re catching too much? Every time you eat tuna, you’re relying on a system most people have never heard of: stock assessments. These scientific models estimate how many fish are in the ocean, how fast they reproduce, and how much can be caught without causing long-term damage. Stock assessments are not about counting every fish, they’re about making the best possible decisions with imperfect data. Scientists use catch records, fishing effort, and biological information to understand whether tuna populations are healthy...
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The Tuna Story Nobody Is Really Talking About
How To Protect The Ocean
What if one of the most popular seafoods in the world isn’t the disaster story you’ve been told? Tuna has been at the center of overfishing conversations for decades. But something changed, and most people have no idea. In this episode, we unpack the hidden system behind tuna fishing, how it nearly failed, and what turned it around. This isn’t about saying everything is fine. It’s about understanding what actually worked, why it worked, and what it means for the future of ocean conservation. Because if tuna can improve, it raises a bigger question: Why isn’t every fishery doing the...
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The Ocean Career Path Nobody Talks About
How To Protect The Ocean
Ocean careers often look straightforward from the outside, but the reality is far more complicated. In this episode, Andrew flips the script and shares what actually happened behind the scenes as he landed his latest role, including the uncertainty, tradeoffs, and decisions most people never see. Career paths in ocean conservation are rarely linear. From networking to timing to unexpected opportunities, this episode breaks down how jobs really happen in this field and why chasing the “perfect job” can sometimes hold you back more than help you. If you’re trying to build a career in...
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Why Ocean Jobs Look Great, Until You Actually Start One
How To Protect The Ocean
A lot of people dream about working in ocean conservation, but far fewer talk about what it takes to actually stay in the field. In this episode, Andrew breaks down why so many careers in ocean conservation burn out, from low pay and short-term contracts to emotional exhaustion and unstable funding. You’ll hear the truth about the three major career paths in the field, why passion alone is not enough, and how building transferable skills, multiple income streams, and your own platform can help you create a career that lasts. This episode is for anyone trying to get into ocean conservation,...
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You Have the Skills, So Why Is Nobody Hiring You?
How To Protect The Ocean
You got the degree. You built some skills. Maybe you even started networking. So why does getting that first real job in ocean conservation still feel nearly impossible? In this episode of How to Protect the Ocean, I break down the real reason so many early career ocean professionals get stuck. I talk about the experience trap, how to rethink what counts as experience, why small projects matter more than people realize, and how strategic volunteering can either help your career or waste your time. I also share how reputation, reliability, and offering value first can open doors that job boards...
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What’s Really Stopping You From Starting an Ocean Career
How To Protect The Ocean
A lot of people think the path into ocean conservation is simple: get the degree, get the experience, then get the opportunity. But that is not how it works for many people anymore. In this episode of How to Protect the Ocean, I talk about why waiting for permission, waiting to feel ready, or waiting for someone to teach you everything first can quietly kill momentum before your career even begins. I break down the myth that credentials alone will open doors, the real skills employers and collaborators notice, and why building proof of your abilities matters more than saying you are...
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Most Ocean Jobs Aren’t Posted, So How Do People Get Them?
How To Protect The Ocean
If you’ve been applying for ocean conservation jobs and hearing nothing back, this episode is for you. Too many people think opportunities come from polished resumes and endless job applications. In reality, many careers in ocean science and conservation are built through trust, familiarity, and real relationships. In this episode, Andrew breaks down the hidden job market in ocean conservation, why cold applications often fail, what networking actually means, where to build connections in this field, and how to reach out without sounding awkward. This is not about asking for a job. It is...
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How Business and Storytelling Are Changing Ocean Conservation
How To Protect The Ocean
Ocean conservation is changing, and science alone is no longer enough. In this episode, Andrew Lewin speaks with Peter Simek, CEO of EarthX, about how business, investment, and storytelling are shaping the future of environmental solutions. They discuss why collaboration across industries is critical, how market-driven innovation is accelerating impact, and what it takes to turn ideas into scalable solutions. If you want to understand how ocean protection actually happens in the real world, this episode breaks it down. Sign up for Earthx20206: Support Independent Podcasts: Help fund a...
info_outlineIn this episode of the "How to Protect the Ocean" podcast, host Andrew Lewin interviews Carlos Mallo, the founder and CEO of Innoceana, an innovative marine conservation organization. Carlos shares his journey from being an engineer to a marine conservationist, highlighting the pivotal moments that led him to launch Innoceana.
Carlos grew up in Spain, surrounded by the ocean, which instilled in him a deep love for marine environments. He initially pursued a career in engineering, focusing on construction projects related to harbors and marinas. However, after a transformative trip to Thailand, where he volunteered at a marine conservation center, Carlos realized he wanted to dedicate his life to ocean conservation. This experience ignited his passion and prompted him to leave his stable engineering job.
Upon returning to Spain, Carlos faced the challenge of starting a non-profit organization without a clear plan. Encouraged by a contact from the Ministry of Environment, he gathered friends and family to help establish Innoceana. With limited resources, he relied on his savings and small grants to fund the organization in its early years.
Carlos's engineering background played a crucial role in shaping Innoceana's approach. He identified a gap in the conservation field where engineers could contribute significantly, particularly in assessing environmental conditions and developing innovative solutions. His first project involved collaborating with local dive centers in Thailand to measure water quality, which laid the groundwork for future initiatives.
Innoceana has since expanded its reach, focusing on community engagement and capacity building. Carlos emphasizes the importance of working with local communities to empower them in marine conservation efforts. The organization has launched various projects, including coral restoration, whale monitoring, and plastic cleanup initiatives, while also establishing a marine conservation center in the Canary Islands.
Overall, Carlos Mallo's journey illustrates the power of passion, innovation, and community collaboration in driving marine conservation efforts through Innoceana.
Website: https://innoceana.org/
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