This is Marine Conservation | ocean science, stories, and solutions to protect our blue planet

Casey Snook

If you love the ocean and feel called to protect it, you’re in the right place. This Is Marine Conservation brings the ocean straight to your earbuds through inspiring stories, accessible marine science, and real-world ways YOU can help protect our blue planet starting today. Hosted by a young female marine scientist whose life has been shaped by saltwater, curiosity, and countless underwater adventures, this show blends storytelling, science, and simple action steps so marine conservation feels doable, meaningful, and deeply personal for everyone. Each episode dives into ocean conservation, marine biology, marine science, how to help the ocean, and ocean career pathways. You'll hear conversations with researchers, conservationists, divers, artists, policy experts, and the everyday ocean lovers making waves in their communities. You’ll also hear solo, story-rich episodes that pull back the curtain on life in the field, from research highs to salty misadventures, told in a way that’s welcoming and accessible, not science-heavy. You’ll walk away with: 🌍 Practical actions you can take immediately to help the ocean 📚 Clear explanations of current marine issues and breakthroughs 🌊 Inspiring stories that reconnect you with the wonder, value, and power of the ocean 🧭 Guidance and insight for those curious about ocean-focused education or careers Whether you’re an aspiring marine biologist, a conservation professional, a scuba diver, or simply someone who loves the sea, this show will leave you informed, empowered, and more connected to the ocean than ever. Ready to protect the ocean, one episode at a time? Subscribe to This Is Marine Conservation and let's dive in.

Episodes

  1. 1h ago

    5 Reasons You Should Learn to Scuba Dive If You Want to Work in Marine Science & Conservation

    Learning to dive was THE thing that jump-started my marine conservation career. But it taught me a lot more than just how to be a mermaid. I gained valuable skills and abilities that have boosted my resume, gotten me jobs, and kept me going in challenging times in my career. I'm here to convince you to get in the water! Learning to dive might be one of the single most transformative things you can do if you want to work in marine science and conservation, not because it's required (although for many roles, it actually is), but because of what happens to you when you finally get under the surface. I'm talking about why "becoming a fish" rewires the way you observe the natural world, how you learn tons without trying every time you get in the water, the field skills that quietly stack up on your resume, and why being underwater might be the single best antidote to burnout in this field.  In this episode, I talk about: why being in the water is the single fastest way to understand the oceanhow passive education happens every time you get underwaterthe reality that for a lot of marine science jobs, diving isn't optional, it's required (and once cost me a position I really wanted)the transferable skills that quietly turn you into a stronger field scientistwhy nothing keeps you going in this field like being back in the waterhow to actually get started (and why you don't need to live somewhere tropical) EPISODE SHOW NOTES (click for all the links!) Podcast website Casey's Instagram - @caseysnook_ Podcast Instagram - @thisismarineconservation Say hello! Contact Casey here. SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW If you loved this episode, it’d mean the world if you took a moment to subscribe and leave a review and/or rating wherever you’re listening! Your support helps this podcast reach more ocean lovers and aspiring marine conservationists just like you. Thank you! Looking to break into the world of marine conservation, but don’t know where to start? I’ve got you! Download my free resource, the Aspiring Marine Conservationists toolkit, by clicking here and start making waves in your career today 🌊

    33 min
  2. May 26

    Turtles, Trash, and Tourism on Gili Trawangan with Siân Williams of the Gili Eco Trust

    What does it actually look like to build a conservation life on a tiny tropical island? Siân Williams came to Gili Trawangan for six weeks in 2012, and thirteen years later, she's built an amazing career at the Gili Eco Trust.  From running coral propagation projects using natural micro-fragmentation, leading Proyek Penyu (the only all-female turtle ranger team in Indonesia), and hosting Debris Free Friday, a weekly beach clean that's been going for over a decade... Siân is a powerhouse. In this episode, we talk about: - the dark side of paradise tourism - why head-starting baby turtles in tanks usually fails - the realities of conservation salaries and side hustles - how the little island handles waste (hint: it's a growing landfill 5 minutes from the sea) - what's giving Siân hope in this challenging day and age - and so much more 🌊 EPISODE SHOW NOTES (click for all the links!) Follow Siân on Instagram - @siangilieco Gili Eco Trust - visit their website and follow on Instagram Debris Free Friday - Every Friday at 5 pm on Gili Trawangan! Follow them on Instagram for the announcement of beach clean locations each week.  Proyek Penyu - Learn all about turtle conservation efforts here Podcast website Casey's Instagram - @caseysnook_ Podcast Instagram - @thisismarineconservation Say hello! Contact Casey here. SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW If you loved this episode, it’d mean the world if you took a moment to subscribe and leave a review and/or rating wherever you’re listening! Your support helps this podcast reach more ocean lovers and aspiring marine conservationists just like you. Thank you! Looking to break into the world of marine conservation, but don’t know where to start? I’ve got you! Download my free resource, the Aspiring Marine Conservationists toolkit, by clicking here and start making waves in your career today 🌊

    1h 15m
  3. May 13

    How to Actually Break Into a Marine Conservation Career with "Conservation Queen" Camille Lasbleiz

    What does it actually look like to build a career in marine conservation? In this episode, I sit down with Camille Lasbleiz (aka the Conservation Queen) on Gili Air, Indonesia, after we randomly realized on Instagram that we were two islands away from each other. (The universe really does deliver.) Camille's story is so good. She went from wanting to be a dolphin trainer as a kid, to working with primates in the jungle, to a five-month "visa run" in Panama that turned her into a divemaster, to working as a snorkel guide in the Maldives. Now she's running 1:1 career mentoring calls and leading coral restoration trips in Indonesia. How's that for a cool and crazy career path?! We get into:  - how to actually break into marine conservation (without a marine biology PhD) - why "be realistic" is the worst advice anyone ever gave us  -how non-science backgrounds can be a superpower in this field - why community-led conservation is the model - what's giving us hope for the ocean right now ...and so much more. If you've ever felt called to ocean work but had no idea where to start, this one's for you. EPISODE SHOW NOTES (click for all the links!) Camille's Instagram - @camille.lasbleiz Check out Camille's website Book a 1-on-1 career mentoring call with Camille Join a marine conservation trip with Camille Podcast website Casey's Instagram - @caseysnook_ Podcast Instagram - @thisismarineconservation Say hello! Contact Casey here. SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW If you loved this episode, it’d mean the world if you took a moment to subscribe and leave a review and/or rating wherever you’re listening! Your support helps this podcast reach more ocean lovers and aspiring marine conservationists just like you. Thank you!  Looking to break into the world of marine conservation, but don’t know where to start? I’ve got you! Download my free resource, the Aspiring Marine Conservationists toolkit, by clicking here and start making waves in your career today 🌊

    1h 8m
  4. Feb 17

    3 Things I’m Learning in Real Time About Building a Career in Marine Conservation

    If you’ve ever dreamed of working in marine conservation or becoming a marine scientist, especially in hands-on, field-based roles, this episode is for you. In this honest and unfiltered solo episode, I’m sharing three things I’m learning in real time about building a career in marine science. This isn’t advice from someone who has “made it.” It’s perspective from someone in the messy middle: balancing seasonal field work, bartending shifts, continuing education, networking attempts, and ocean-sized dreams. Together we'll chat about: Why you probably won’t find your dream marine conservation job on IndeedWhy passion alone doesn’t pay the bills (but still matters deeply)Why non-linear, zigzag career paths are actually the norm in this fieldThis isn’t polished advice. This is my lived experience. If you're navigating the scrappy season of marine conservation, trust me, you've got this. This one is for you. Looking to break into the world of marine conservation, but don’t know where to start? I’ve got you! Download my free resource, the Aspiring Marine Conservationists toolkit, by clicking here and start making waves in your career today 🌊 Episode Show Notes (click for all the links!) Podcast website Casey's Instagram - @caseysnook_ Podcast Instagram - @thisismarineconservation Say hello! Contact Casey here. SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW If you loved this episode, it’d mean the world if you took a moment to subscribe and leave a review and/or rating wherever you’re listening! Your support helps this podcast reach more ocean lovers and aspiring marine conservationists just like you. Thank you!  Looking to break into the world of marine conservation, but don’t know where to start? I’ve got you! Download my free resource, the Aspiring Marine Conservationists toolkit, by clicking here and start making waves in your career today 🌊

    28 min
  5. Feb 3

    Better Data, Better Fishing: Inside Rhode Island’s Recreational Fishing Survey with Nate Andrews

    In this episode, I sit down with Nate Andrews, my boss and mentor at the RI DEM Division of Marine Fisheries. We chat about his original inspiration to be a scientist and the career path that led him to DEM. Nate now works on the Access Point Angler Intercept Survey (APAIS), a program that studies recreational fishers and uses data to make important management decisions. We chat about how data collected from everyday anglers feeds into NOAA’s Marine Recreational Information Program (MRIP), and why accurate catch and effort data is essential for sustainable fishing. Nate explains complex concepts like catch per unit effort in a way that actually makes sense, and shows how small data points can influence big management decisions. Our conversation also dives into fish identification, stewardship, and the human side of fisheries science. Nate shares his personal passion for the ocean, what it’s like working directly with fishing communities, and why participation and trust are just as important as numbers and statistics when it comes to protecting the ocean. Whether you’re an angler, a science nerd, or someone who simply loves the ocean, this episode will give you a whole new appreciation for the data behind every cast— and how better data truly leads to better fishing. Episode Show Notes (click for all the links!) Learn more about APAIS Apply to work with us on the APAIS Program! Learn more about the Division of Marine Fisheries and the RI Marine Fisheries Council Check out Nate's fish print art Podcast website Casey's Instagram - @caseysnook_ Podcast Instagram - @thisismarineconservation Say hello! Contact Casey here. SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW If you loved this episode, it’d mean the world if you took a moment to subscribe and leave a review and/or rating wherever you’re listening! Your support helps this podcast reach more ocean lovers and aspiring marine conservationists just like you. Thank you!  Looking to break into the world of marine conservation, but don’t know where to start? I’ve got you! Download my free resource, the Aspiring Marine Conservationists toolkit, by clicking here and start making waves in your career today 🌊

    57 min
  6. Jan 31

    Inside Fishing Gear Recovery & Marine Debris with “Ocean Garbage Fella” Fritz McGirr

    What happens to fishing gear when it’s lost at sea? And how does it impact whales, fisheries, and our oceans? In this episode, I’m joined by Fritz McGirr, a former touring percussionist turned marine biologist and self-proclaimed “ocean garbage fella.” Fritz works with the Center for Coastal Studies in Provincetown, Massachusetts, where he helps recover ghost gear (ALDFG: Abandoned, Lost, or Otherwise Discarded Fishing Gear). We talk about how derelict gear is located (from fisherman intel to sonar and grappling grids), what researchers record when gear is pulled up, how this work connects to North Atlantic right whale protection, and why “recycling” isn’t as simple as we’ve been told. Fritz also shares small, realistic ways to reduce plastic—and a hopeful ocean win tied to Boston Harbor. Looking to break into the world of marine conservation, but don’t know where to start? I’ve got you! Download my free resource, the Aspiring Marine Conservationists toolkit, by clicking here and start making waves in your career today 🌊 Episode Show Notes (click for all the links!) Fritz's Instagram - @FritzMcGirr Check out the Center for Coastal Studies and its Marine Debris and Plastics Program Learn to freedive with Fritz at East Coast Divers Podcast website Casey's Instagram - @caseysnook_ Podcast Instagram - @thisismarineconservation Say hello! Contact Casey here. SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW If you loved this episode, it’d mean the world if you took a moment to subscribe and leave a review and/or rating wherever you’re listening! Your support helps this podcast reach more ocean lovers and aspiring marine conservationists just like you. Thank you!  Looking to break into the world of marine conservation, but don’t know where to start? I’ve got you! Download my free resource, the Aspiring Marine Conservationists toolkit, by clicking here and start making waves in your career today 🌊

    53 min
  7. Jan 30

    The Ocean’s Biggest Win in Decades: The High Seas Treaty, Explained

    What is the High Seas Treaty, and why is it being called one of the biggest ocean conservation wins in decades? In this beginner-friendly episode of This Is Marine Conservation, I break down the High Seas Treaty (also known as the UN agreement on biodiversity beyond national jurisdiction) and explain what it means for the future of the ocean. You’ll learn what the high seas are, why they’ve been so difficult to protect, how this treaty makes large-scale marine protected areas possible, and why protecting the high seas matters to everyone, even if you live far from the coast. I also explain what treaty ratification means, when the agreement became legally binding, what happens next, and how you can take action to support high seas protection. Looking to break into the world of marine conservation, but don’t know where to start? I’ve got you! Download my free resource, the Aspiring Marine Conservationists toolkit, by clicking here and start making waves in your career today 🌊 Episode Show Notes Learn more about the United Nations BBNJ Agreement Send a message to your country's government urging them to ratify the High Seas Treaty (takes literally 2 minutes!) Podcast website Casey's Instagram - @caseysnook_ Podcast Instagram - @thisismarineconservation Say hello! Contact Casey here. SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW If you loved this episode, it’d mean the world if you took a moment to subscribe and leave a review and/or rating wherever you’re listening! Your support helps this podcast reach more ocean lovers and aspiring marine conservationists just like you. Thank you!  Looking to break into the world of marine conservation, but don’t know where to start? I’ve got you! Download my free resource, the Aspiring Marine Conservationists toolkit, by clicking here and start making waves in your career today 🌊

    22 min
  8. Jan 29

    What a Summer of Interviewing Recreational Fishers Taught Me About Conservation

    What does conservation actually look like in everyday life — beyond policies, protests, and headlines? In this episode, I’m sharing what I learned during a summer working in the field interviewing recreational saltwater fishers in Rhode Island. What began as a straightforward data collection job with the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management quickly turned into an unexpected masterclass in conservation, stewardship, and the power of paying attention. I talk about how recreational fishers often act as unofficial data collectors, why people protect the places they feel connected to, and how conservation values are passed down through stories, habits, and generations. I also explore why stewardship is often quiet and habitual, and how joy, routine, and emotional connection to nature can be some of the most powerful drivers of conservation action. Whether you’re a fisher, diver, beachgoer, or simply someone who loves the natural world, this episode is an invitation to rethink what conservation really looks like, and why noticing, connecting, and finding joy in nature might be where it truly begins. Looking to break into the world of marine conservation, but don’t know where to start? I’ve got you! Download my free resource, the Aspiring Marine Conservationists toolkit, by clicking here and start making waves in your career today 🌊 Episode Show Notes (click here for all the links!) Learn more about the RI APAIS program - https://dem.ri.gov/natural-resources-bureau/marine-fisheries/recreational-saltwater-fishing/apais-program Podcast website Casey's Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/caseysnook_/  Podcast Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/thisismarineconservation/ Say hello! Contact Casey here. SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW If you loved this episode, it’d mean the world if you took a moment to subscribe and leave a review and/or rating wherever you’re listening! Your support helps this podcast reach more ocean lovers and aspiring marine conservationists just like you. Thank you!  Looking to break into the world of marine conservation, but don’t know where to start? I’ve got you! Download my free resource, the Aspiring Marine Conservationists toolkit, by clicking here and start making waves in your career today 🌊

    30 min
  9. Jan 28

    Why I Started a Marine Conservation Podcast (My Origin Story and Why This Podcast Exists)

    This Is Marine Conservation is a podcast for anyone who loves the ocean and wants to protect it—without feeling overwhelmed or hopeless. Hosted by marine conservationist and field scientist Casey Snook, this show explores the science, stories, and solutions behind protecting our oceans. Through solo episodes and conversations with experts, you’ll learn how marine conservation really works, what careers in ocean science look like, and how everyday people can take meaningful action for a healthier planet. Whether you’re a marine professional, a student, or simply someone who cares deeply about the sea, this podcast is here to educate, inspire optimism, and build a community committed to ocean conservation. Because protecting the ocean starts with understanding it. Looking to break into the world of marine conservation, but don’t know where to start? I’ve got you! Download my free resource, the Aspiring Marine Conservationists toolkit, by clicking here and start making waves in your career today 🌊 Episode Show Notes (click for all the links!) Podcast website Casey's Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/caseysnook_/  Podcast Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/thisismarineconservation/ Say hello! Contact Casey here. SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW If you loved this episode, it’d mean the world if you took a moment to subscribe and leave a review and/or rating wherever you’re listening! Your support helps this podcast reach more ocean lovers and aspiring marine conservationists just like you. Thank you!  Looking to break into the world of marine conservation, but don’t know where to start? I’ve got you! Download my free resource, the Aspiring Marine Conservationists toolkit, by clicking here and start making waves in your career today 🌊

    23 min

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

If you love the ocean and feel called to protect it, you’re in the right place. This Is Marine Conservation brings the ocean straight to your earbuds through inspiring stories, accessible marine science, and real-world ways YOU can help protect our blue planet starting today. Hosted by a young female marine scientist whose life has been shaped by saltwater, curiosity, and countless underwater adventures, this show blends storytelling, science, and simple action steps so marine conservation feels doable, meaningful, and deeply personal for everyone. Each episode dives into ocean conservation, marine biology, marine science, how to help the ocean, and ocean career pathways. You'll hear conversations with researchers, conservationists, divers, artists, policy experts, and the everyday ocean lovers making waves in their communities. You’ll also hear solo, story-rich episodes that pull back the curtain on life in the field, from research highs to salty misadventures, told in a way that’s welcoming and accessible, not science-heavy. You’ll walk away with: 🌍 Practical actions you can take immediately to help the ocean 📚 Clear explanations of current marine issues and breakthroughs 🌊 Inspiring stories that reconnect you with the wonder, value, and power of the ocean 🧭 Guidance and insight for those curious about ocean-focused education or careers Whether you’re an aspiring marine biologist, a conservation professional, a scuba diver, or simply someone who loves the sea, this show will leave you informed, empowered, and more connected to the ocean than ever. Ready to protect the ocean, one episode at a time? Subscribe to This Is Marine Conservation and let's dive in.

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