REEF Roundup: 🪸Coral Reefs🐠 and 🐙Marine Conservation🦈

Graham Patterson and Tamara Silverstone

Join us and meet some of the many amazing people who are doing exciting work to save the ocean for future generations, with a focus on restoration, ecology, and the environment. A production of REEF Scuba - reef-scuba.org.

  1. Dr. Sambuddha Misra: Drinking Tea to Save Coral Reefs? The Mechanics of Enhanced Rock Weathering in Darjeeling | S5E5

    18H AGO

    Dr. Sambuddha Misra: Drinking Tea to Save Coral Reefs? The Mechanics of Enhanced Rock Weathering in Darjeeling | S5E5

    In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Sambuddha Misra, a chemical oceanographer, associate professor of earth sciences at the Indian Institute of Science, and the chief scientist at Alt Carbon. Dr. Misra has spent two decades studying how chemical weathering shapes the planet's climate over millions of years, and is now actively applying that science to draw down atmospheric carbon at scale. Alt Carbon's Darjeeling Revival Project is spreading finely crushed basalt, a byproduct of the Indian construction industry, across tens of thousands of acres of Himalayan tea estates. We explore the surprisingly elegant chain of geochemistry that removes CO2 from the air, supplies crucial micronutrients to degraded agricultural soils, and ultimately pushes alkalinity into the Bay of Bengal to buffer against ocean acidification. Some topics we cover: The Geochemistry of Accelerated Weathering: The literal mechanics of how crushed basalt, rainwater, and atmospheric CO2 interact to compress a million-year geological process into a single commercial cycle. Agricultural Yields and the Human Element: Why the physical application of basalt is done entirely by hand, and how this process is driving incredible crop yield increases in degraded soils. Measurement Bottlenecks and the Reality of Scaling: The grueling structural reality of verifying commercial carbon credits. Dr. Misra breaks down the exact science of tracking elements in open soil profiles, and why scaling this project will require inventing entirely new measurement technologies. Mentioned in This Episode: Alt Carbon: ⁠altcarbon.com⁠ The Darjeeling Revival Project: ⁠⁠⁠altcarbon.com⁠⁠⁠Isometric Registry: ⁠isometric.com⁠ Indian Institute of Science: ⁠https://iisc.ac.in/⁠ Thanks as always to our Producer, Emily Pokou.

    37 min
  2. Alice Guittard: Collaboration, Conflict, and the Black Sea | Special Episode

    MAR 31 ·  BONUS

    Alice Guittard: Collaboration, Conflict, and the Black Sea | Special Episode

    In this special episode, we depart from our usual format and partner with Jan Maisenbacher from the Ocean Collaborations podcast to sit down with Alice Guittard, who has spent the last five years with the Bridge Project focusing on the active management of a transboundary ecosystem: the Black Sea. The Bridge Black Sea Project was designed to advance knowledge, deliver research, and empower citizens to build a sustainable, climate-neutral blue economy. We explore the massive environmental challenges facing the sea, a marine ecosystem bordered by six nations and fed by the watersheds of more than twenty others. This conversation also examines the realities and logistical hurdles of attempting international scientific collaboration in the middle of an active war. Some topics we cover: The Tragedy of the Commons: The inherent risk when a shared resource collapses because individual actors are incentivized to exploit it simultaneously. This requires strict cooperation to prevent ecosystem failure. Environmental Casualties of War: The destruction of the Kakhovka dam in 2023 resulted in over fifty deaths, tens of thousands of displaced people, and impacted drinking water for over 700,000 individuals. It also released decades of accumulated agricultural chemicals and heavy metals directly into the sea. Data Blind Spots and Scientific Embargos: Severing ties with Russian researchers effectively blinded one-fifth of the Black Sea's monitoring network. We openly weigh the friction between transnational scientific preservation and geopolitical policy decisions. Special thanks to ⁠Jan Maisenbacher⁠ from the Ocean Collaborations podcast for facilitating this conversation, and thank you to our new co-producer, ⁠Emily Pokou who is helping take the show to new heights. Stay tuned for everymore interesting storytelling. Projects & Tools Mentioned: Bridge Black Sea Project: bridgeblacksea.org The Black Sea Digital Twin of Ocean: bridgeblacksea.org/index.php/black-sea-dto European Digital Twin of the Ocean: edito.eu The Black Sea Blue Economy Observatory: blackseabeo.eu BRIDGE-BS Living Labs: bridgeblacksea.org/index.php/living-labs The Coalition of cities, regions, islands, and ports for the Mission Ocean and Waters: co-waters.eu/coalition Organizations & Media: IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature): iucn.org Ocean Collaborations Podcast: ⁠Apple Podcasts Link A Light in the Black: Keep an eye out for updates on our upcoming documentary. ⁠Trailer and more here⁠.

    28 min
  3. Sarah Levy and Captain Paul Watson: Direct Action for the Ocean, The Only Flag Worth Flying | S5E3

    MAR 10

    Sarah Levy and Captain Paul Watson: Direct Action for the Ocean, The Only Flag Worth Flying | S5E3

    In this episode of REEF Roundup we sit down with Oxford legal scholar Sarah Levy and legendary frontline conservationist Captain Paul Watson to discuss their new book, The Only Flag Worth Flying. In it they challenge the assumption that law enforcement belongs solely to the nation-state, arguing that when governments abandon their duty to protect marine ecosystems, direct action by non-state actors becomes both justified and necessary. This conversation explores environmental law, the weaponization of the legal system against conservationists, and the extents to which some people are ready to go in order to save our oceans. Key Topics Discussed: The Illusion of Protection: The difference between hard and soft law in international environmental agreements, and why treaties like the High Seas Treaty remain meaningless without enforcement. Embracing the Pirate Identity: How historical pirates and privateers bypassed bureaucracy to achieve results, and why being a "pirate" is an appropriate response to a broken legal system. The Post-State World Order: Examining the breakdown of the traditional rules-based order and the rising necessity for NGOs and civil society to push forward, even without permission. Aggressive Nonviolence and Legal Precedent: Captain Watson's strategy of intervening to uphold international conservation law, such as using the UN World Charter for Nature to win legal acquittals after sinking illegal whaling vessels. Weaponizing the Law: How the legal system, including Interpol red notices, is used by exploitative industries to target effective conservationists and whistleblowers. The Upcoming Krill Campaign: Details on the Paul Watson Foundation's imminent expedition to confront the Norwegian and Chinese krill fishery in the Southern Ocean to provoke an international legal precedent. The Power of the Present: Wisdom from American Indian Movement leader Russell Means on focusing entirely on doing the right thing in the present rather than worrying about the odds of winning. About Our Guests: Sarah Levy: An Oxford legal scholar whose work bridges the gap between socio-legal methods, indigenous rights, and environmental law. She is currently finalizing her PhD focusing on seal hunting activities in Canada. Captain Paul Watson: A frontline conservationist and the founder of both the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society and the Captain Paul Watson Foundation. He has spent over 50 years defending marine wildlife through direct action. Resources Mentioned: The Only Flag Worth Flying by Sarah Levy and Paul Watson, available via Routledge and major booksellers. The Captain Paul Watson Foundation at paulwatsonfoundation.org. UN World Charter for Nature. BBNJ Agreement / High Seas Treaty.

    42 min
  4. John Bohorquez: Financing the Future of Our Oceans | S5E2

    FEB 18

    John Bohorquez: Financing the Future of Our Oceans | S5E2

    In this episode we look beyond the biology of conservation to examine the financial engine required to keep it running. We sit down with John Bohorquez, a specialist in ocean finance and the founder of the Blue Economy Solutions Lab, to bridge the often-separate worlds of marine science and finance. John walks us through the realities of the "Blue Economy," highlighting the staggering disparity between the ocean’s commercial market value and the $50 trillion in ecosystem services it provides annually. We discuss his latest research comparing reef management in the politically complex Red Sea versus the decentralized Caribbean, and why we must shift toward "transboundary" conservation for ecosystems that do not recognize human borders. Finally, we demystify the complex mechanisms of Blue Bonds and Debt-for-Nature swaps. John explains how nations are leveraging their sovereign debt to fund marine protection, moving from small-scale philanthropy to the trillion-dollar investments needed to meet global 30x30 goals. He also introduces new tools designed to help practitioners access these funds. Mentioned in this Episode John Bohorquez: https://johnbohorquez.com/ Blue Economy Solutions Lab: https://blueeconomysolutions.org/ Conservation Finance Alliance (CFA): https://www.conservationfinancealliance.org The Blue Nature Alliance: https://www.bluenaturealliance.org General Organization for Conservation of Coral Reefs and Sea Turtles in the Red Sea (SHAMS): https://shams.gov.sa/ Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences: https://www.bigelow.org High Level Panel for a Sustainable Ocean Economy (WRI): https://oceanpanel.org Caribbean Biodiversity Fund: https://caribbeanbiodiversityfund.org/ Protected Seas: https://protectedseas.net

    41 min
  5. Dr. Sylvia Earle: Transforming Seeing Into Knowing Into Action | S5E1

    FEB 4

    Dr. Sylvia Earle: Transforming Seeing Into Knowing Into Action | S5E1

    In this special episode of REEF Roundup, we share the unforgettable conversation we had with the legendary Dr. Sylvia Earle. Recorded on location at the IUCN World Conservation Congress in Abu Dhabi, this interview captures an intimate moment with one of the world's most iconic oceanographers. Dr. Earle shares her perspective on the transformative power of scuba diving, describing it as a pivotal step that just recently began allowing terrestrial beings to explore the majority of our biosphere. We discuss the critical shift from viewing marine life as a commodity ("I want to eat you") to viewing them as individuals ("I want to know you"), and why divers, who witness the underwater world firsthand, have a unique privilege and responsibility to speak up for the ocean. Mentioned in this Episode Mission Blue (Sylvia Earle’s Alliance): @mission_blue IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature): @iucn_congress The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species A Light in the Black (Our Upcoming Documentary!)

    12 min
  6. Linzi Hawkin of Protect Blue: Designing a Regenerative Ocean Culture | S4E5

    JAN 20

    Linzi Hawkin of Protect Blue: Designing a Regenerative Ocean Culture | S4E5

    In this episode of REEF Roundup, we sit down with Linzi Hawkin, co-founder of Protect Blue, and explore the special combination of thoughtful strategy and human joy that is essential to being impactful in your efforts to care for the ocean. Linzi shares her journey from running surf schools in Jersey to designing impact strategies for global NGOs. We dive deep into the dangers of "shiny" storytelling, the importance of nervous system regulation for ocean advocates, and why "water breaks" should be the first thing you seek out at the next ocean conference you attend. Key Takeaways Strategy & Stoke: Why ocean conservation needs both measurable impact data and the joy of connecting with the ocean to be sustainable. Beating Burnout: Practical advice on managing overwork and climate anxiety, including "sit spots" and setting boundaries (like Linzi’s "No-Call Fridays"). Impact VS Storytelling: Why we need funding and support for "scrappier," more authentic projects that support and celebrate those in the trenches doing the work. The "Robin Hood" Model: How Protect Blue takes high-level agency tools and makes them accessible to grassroots frontline communities. Featured Quotes "If you don't have time to meditate for five minutes, you need to meditate for five hours." — Linzi Hawkin "We're almost creating this really false narrative... like we're all just swimming with manta rays every day... I want to champion and celebrate some of that behind the scenes work." — Linzi Hawkin "Do not burn yourselves out. Be as I am - a reluctant enthusiast... a part-time crusader... Save the other half of yourselves and your lives for pleasure and adventure." — Edward Abbey (read by Linzi) Mentioned in this Episode Damon Gameau (Filmmaker, 2040): @damongameau SeaTrees (Ocean regeneration project): @sea.trees

    45 min
  7. Virgil Zetterlind of Protected Seas: Mapping Ocean Protections and Closing the Enforcement Gap | S4E4

    12/09/2025

    Virgil Zetterlind of Protected Seas: Mapping Ocean Protections and Closing the Enforcement Gap | S4E4

    In this episode, we sit down with Virgil Zetterlind, Director of Protected Seas, to discuss the critical difference between declaring a Marine Protected Area (MPA) and it actually leading to the intended positive outcomes we hope to achieve. It's a more complex topic than we often cover, but incredibly important. So grab a cup of coffee, perhaps a notepad, and a comfortable seat before you dive in. While global targets like 30x30 and the High Seas Treaty dominate the headlines, the reality on the ocean is that much of it is often a Wild West of overlapping regulations and limited visibility. Virgil walks us through how Protected Seas is solving this knowlege and data gap by mapping the global regulatory landscape with their Navigator tool and deploying autonomous radar systems (M2) to monitor compliance in real-time. In this episode, you’ll hear about: Visualizing the Invisible – How the Navigator tool standardizes complex, layered legal texts into a "Level of Fishing Protection" score, allowing users to see exactly what activities are allowed in any patch of ocean. Closing the Enforcement Gap – The transition from "paper parks", areas that are protected by law, but not in reality, to protected waters using M2 (Marine Monitor), a non-cooperative radar technology that tracks near-shore vessel movement without relying on AIS signals. The Economics of Protection – Data from Mexico and beyond proving that scuba divers are willing to pay a premium to visit fully protected areas, making a clear economic case for strict no-take zones. Data Over Intuition – A case study from California where radar data disproved the assumption that poaching happens at night, revealing that most illegal fishing occurred in broad daylight which shifted enforcement strategies. High Seas & 30x30 – The logistical challenges of implementing the new High Seas Treaty and the difficulty of tracking "Other Effective Conservation Measures" (OECMs) without standardized metrics. Protected SeasProtected Seas is a team of data scientists, mariners, and conservationists dedicated to bridging the gap between ocean policy and reality. Their open-access tools, including the Navigator map and M2 radar systems, empower governments, NGOs, and ocean users to understand regulations and improve compliance. Website: https://protectedseas.net Navigator Map: https://map.navigatemap.org M2 Marine Monitor: https://m2marinemonitor.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/protected-seas Mentioned Organizations & Tools Mapping & Navigation Apps Savvy Navvy (Boating App)Website: https://www.savvy-navvy.com Deckee (Boating Safety App)Website: https://deckee.com Google EarthWebsite: https://earth.google.com Google MapsWebsite: https://maps.google.com Conservation Technology & Enforcement Global Fishing WatchWebsite: https://globalfishingwatch.org Skylight (Maritime Intelligence)Website: https://www.skylight.global EarthRanger (Protected Area Management - Note: Referred to as "Earth Rangers" in transcript)Website: https://www.earthranger.com Conserve.ioWebsite: https://conserve.io Whale AlertWebsite: https://www.whalealert.org Furuno (Marine Radar Hardware)Website: https://www.furuno.com Conservation NGOs & Government WildAidWebsite: https://wildaid.orgInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/wildaid Global ConservationWebsite: https://globalconservation.orgInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/globalconservation NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration)Website: https://www.noaa.govInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/noaa Dave Wiley (Research Coordinator, Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary)Profile: https://stellwagen.noaa.gov/science/dave-wiley.html REEF Roundup & REEF Scuba REEF Roundup – Marine conservation podcast (this show)Website: https://www.reefroundup.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/reefroundup REEF Scuba – Nonprofit behind REEF RoundupWebsite: https://www.reefscuba.org

    47 min
  8. Tré Packard of PangeaSeed: Using Art to Make Marine Conservation Visible | S4E3

    11/19/2025

    Tré Packard of PangeaSeed: Using Art to Make Marine Conservation Visible | S4E3

    In this episode, we sit down with Tré Packard, founder and Executive Director of PangeaSeed Foundation, to explore how public art can turn abstract ocean science into something people can see, feel, and act on. From shark fin markets in Asia to large-scale mural festivals and fine art print releases, Tré walks through how PangeaSeed built a global model that funds conservation work, supports artists, and brings the ocean into city streets. In this episode, you’ll hear about: Art as a gateway to empathy – why emotional connection is as important as scientific literacy for driving change, especially for people who will never put on a mask or scuba tank. The origin of Sea Walls – how the uncovering of the largest shark finning operation in the world and a mural in a Sri Lanka sparked the idea of using large-scale public art as a democratic, free platform for ocean stories. Printed Oceans and the “business of conservation” – how limited-edition fine art prints create a circular economy that funds programs, supports artists, and brings conservation narratives into homes, schools, and workplaces. Cross-sector collaborations – examples of working with dive agencies, city governments, brands, and international institutions to align communications, funding, and science around local ocean threats. Longevity and resilience in ocean advocacy – lessons from 15+ years in the field, including burnout, hope, and how to keep going when the problems are heavy and long-term. PangeaSeed Foundation is a nonprofit working at the intersection of art, science, and education to advance ocean conservation. Through programs like Sea Walls: Artists for Oceans, Printed Oceans, and their Impact and Commissioned Programs, PangeaSeed connects scientists and communities with a global network of artists to turn complex marine issues into accessible visual stories. Their work addresses priority ocean challenges such as overfishing, plastic pollution, and climate impacts worldwide. PangeaSeed Foundation Website: https://www.pangeaseed.org Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pangeaseed Sea Walls: Artists for Oceans (PangeaSeed public art program) Website: https://www.seawalls.org Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/seawalls Printed Oceans (fine art print program) Program page: https://pangeaseed.org/printed-oceans/ Tré Packard – Photography Portfolio Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/abovebelowphoto/ Other Mentioned Organizations Protect Blue Protect Blue Website: https://protect.blue Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/protect.blue Application / program pages Undercurrent (program page with application): https://protect.blue/undercurrent Blue Campus (community & program hub): https://protect.blue/campus PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors) Website: https://www.padi.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paditv United Nations & UN Ocean Conference UN Ocean Conference (information page): https://www.un.org/en/conferences/ocean2025 United Nations – main organization Website: https://www.un.org Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unitednations Influencer Database IUCN – International Union for Conservation of Nature Website: https://www.iucn.org Instagram (IUCN Congress): https://www.instagram.com/iucn_congress REEF Roundup & REEF Scuba REEF Roundup – Marine conservation podcast (this show) Website: ⁠https://reef-roundup.com⁠ ⁠ Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/reefroundup⁠ REEF Scuba – Nonprofit behind REEF Roundup Website: ⁠https://www.reef-scuba.org⁠ ⁠

    44 min
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Join us and meet some of the many amazing people who are doing exciting work to save the ocean for future generations, with a focus on restoration, ecology, and the environment. A production of REEF Scuba - reef-scuba.org.

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