Ocean Startups Are Changing Conservation Faster Than Science Alone
How To Protect The Ocean
Ocean conservation is no longer driven by science alone, startups are stepping in to turn ideas into real-world solutions at scale. In this episode, we explore how companies like Coral Vita and Running Tide are accelerating reef restoration and experimenting with ocean-based carbon removal, bringing speed, funding, and innovation into a space that has traditionally moved slowly. Ocean startups are reshaping how solutions are built, tested, and scaled. You will learn how these companies combine science, business models, and emerging technologies to tackle coral bleaching, climate change, and...
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Why Ocean Solutions Fail, And How Business Can Actually Save the Ocean
How To Protect The Ocean
Ocean conservation is failing to scale, and it’s not because of a lack of science. In this episode, we break down why decades of ocean research have not stopped overfishing, pollution, and habitat loss, and what is really holding solutions back. Ocean solutions need more than discovery, they need adoption. You’ll learn how business models, financial incentives, and scalable systems are the missing link between scientific breakthroughs and real-world impact. We explore why many conservation efforts stall, and what separates small successes from global change. Ocean innovation is already...
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Why You Should Think Twice Before Eating Squid (The Seafood Labeling Problem No One Talks About)
How To Protect The Ocean
Squid fisheries are booming worldwide, but most consumers have no idea what they are actually eating. In this episode, marine biologist and Oceana policy advisor Marine Cusa breaks down how seafood labeling gaps are hiding critical information about squid species, origins, and fishing practices. Using DNA testing, her team uncovered that many squid products come from distant, high-risk fisheries, often without any transparency for consumers. We explore how traceability failures, unregulated fishing, and complex global supply chains make squid one of the hardest seafood products to track. You...
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The Squid You Eat Is a Mystery, Seafood Mislabeling Explained
How To Protect The Ocean
Seafood mislabeling is more common than most people realize, and squid might be one of the biggest examples. When you order calamari, you are rarely told which species you are actually eating. With more than 300 squid species in the ocean, and most products labeled simply as “squid,” consumers are left with almost no information about the origin, sustainability, or even the species on their plate. Squid fisheries are growing rapidly across the globe, but they are also some of the hardest to track. Squid is often caught on the high seas, processed in multiple countries, and sold in forms...
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Why Seafood Traceability Is Broken (And What’s Really on Your Plate)
How To Protect The Ocean
Seafood is one of the most globalized food systems in the world, but that complexity comes at a cost: traceability. In this episode of How to Protect the Ocean, we break down why it is so difficult to track seafood from the moment it is caught to the moment it reaches your plate. With supply chains spanning multiple countries, processing steps that remove identifying features, and practices like transshipment happening far from oversight, even well-intentioned systems struggle to keep up. We explore how seafood moves through a complex network of fishing vessels, cargo ships, processing plants,...
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The Fish on Your Plate Might Not Be What the Label Says
How To Protect The Ocean
What if the fish on your plate isn’t the fish you think it is? Scientists around the world have been testing seafood from grocery stores, markets, and restaurants using DNA. The results are often surprising. Studies have found that anywhere from 10 percent to more than 30 percent of seafood products are mislabeled. In some cases, cheaper fish are sold as expensive species. In other cases, endangered fish or illegally caught seafood can enter the market under completely different names. Seafood mislabeling is not just a consumer problem. It can hide illegal fishing, undermine sustainable...
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The Seafood Label Problem Most Shoppers Never Notice
How To Protect The Ocean
Most seafood labels look simple, but they often hide more than they reveal. When you buy fish at a grocery store, the package might say salmon, tuna, or cod. But those market names can represent dozens of different species, and the label rarely tells you exactly which one you are eating. In many cases, key details like the fishing location, the vessel that caught the fish, or the specific species are missing. In this episode of How to Protect the Ocean, we explore the seafood labeling gap and why it matters. When multiple species are grouped under the same market name, it becomes harder...
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The Invisible Climate Engineers Running Our Ocean
How To Protect The Ocean
Ocean microbes quietly power the planet. In this episode, we explore the microscopic organisms that regulate Earth’s climate, produce much of the oxygen we breathe, and move enormous amounts of carbon through the ocean every day. These invisible life forms are not just background players in the ocean system; they are central to how the planet works. Synthetic biology is now pushing this idea even further. Dr. José Ángel Moreno-Cabezuelo, a synthetic biologist working in Oxford, is engineering ancient microorganisms called cyanobacteria to capture carbon dioxide using sunlight and biology....
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Can Engineered Ocean Microbes Help Fight Climate Change?
How To Protect The Ocean
Engineered microbes could transform how we fight climate change. Scientists are modifying ancient ocean microorganisms to capture carbon dioxide and produce materials using only sunlight and seawater. These tiny organisms may become living factories capable of creating fuels, plastics, and industrial chemicals without relying on fossil fuels. Cyanobacteria are at the center of this research. These photosynthetic microbes helped oxygenate the Earth billions of years ago, and now scientists are exploring how they can be engineered to produce biofuels, biodegradable plastics, and sustainable...
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Ocean Microbes That Eat Oil and Pollution
How To Protect The Ocean
Millions of people see the damage caused by oil spills and plastic pollution, but very few know what happens beneath the surface. In the ocean, microscopic organisms begin responding almost immediately. Certain marine microbes can actually consume hydrocarbons and other pollutants, turning toxic compounds into energy. Ocean microbes play a surprising role in pollution cleanup. After the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, scientists observed massive blooms of oil degrading bacteria that rapidly multiplied as they fed on hydrocarbons released into the water. These microbes act as nature’s chemical...
info_outlineSolar panels on boats are the future of boating not because it's good for the environment (that is just a bonus), but because the engines are quiet and there is no smell.
Host Andrew Lewin interviews Simon Angus, the CEO of Open Water Solar, a company specializing in flexible and durable solar panels designed for boats. The discussion highlights the importance of transitioning to electric power sources in the marine industry to reduce noise pollution and environmental impact.
Key Points:
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The Problem with Traditional Power Sources: Simon shares his experiences as a sailor and engineer, emphasizing the drawbacks of conventional diesel engines, including noise and pollution, which disrupt marine life, particularly whales.
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Innovative Solar Solutions: Open Water Solar has developed solar panels that are lightweight, flexible, and designed to fit the contours of various boats. These panels aim to maximize real estate utilization on boats, addressing common issues with traditional solar panels, such as micro-cracking and shading.
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Performance and Efficiency: The solar panels can generate sufficient power to run essential systems on boats, allowing for extended trips without the need to plug into shore power. Simon mentions a case study where a boat circumnavigated Vancouver Island without needing to plug in, relying solely on solar energy.
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Customization and Versatility: The company offers custom solutions for existing boats, allowing boat owners to retrofit their vessels with solar panels tailored to their specific needs. This adaptability is crucial for maximizing energy generation.
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Future of Marine Electrification: The episode discusses the growing trend towards hybrid boats that combine diesel and electric power. Simon believes that as the industry moves towards electrification, solar panels will become a necessity rather than a luxury.
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Global Reach: Open Water Solar is already shipping panels internationally, indicating a strong demand for sustainable marine energy solutions.
Overall, the episode underscores the potential of solar technology to transform the boating industry, making it more sustainable and environmentally friendly while enhancing the experience of being on the water.
Website: https://openwaterssolar.com/
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