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

In this episode, we sit down with Doctor Andrea Grottoli, a Distinguished Professor of Earth Sciences at the Ohio State University and the inventor of the Underwater Zooplankton Enhancement Light Array (UZELA). Doctor Grottoli has spent thirty years studying coral feeding mechanics and the physiological collapse that occurs during bleaching events. Building on that knowledge, she is now rolling out an invention, designed to drastically improve outcomes and return on investment for global coral restoration efforts.UZELA relies on a simple biological truth: zooplankton are drawn to light like moths to a flame. By strategically placing upward-facing lights near coral outplants and nurseries for just one hour a night, UZELA concentrates zooplankton within a localized dome, significantly increasing the feeding opportunities for stressed and baby corals. We explore why these measures are necessary, the biological data proving their efficacy, and science behind it all.Some topics we cover:The Physiology of Coral Starvation: We all know a bleaching reef is a bad sign, but what's actually happening to an individual coral? The UZELA Breakthrough: How localized light increases feeding rates and what that means for stressed coral.Ecological Realities and Technological Limits: Why artificial light at night requires precise, nuanced deployment and why UZELA buys us time, but is one intervention among many that must support reefs facing local stressors and climate change.Mentioned in This Episode:Dr. Andrea Grottoli on LinkedinGrottoli Lab: u.osu.edu/grottoli.1/Coral Restoration Foundation: coralrestoration.orgMote Marine Laboratory: mote.orgThe Ohio State University School of Earth Sciences: earthsciences.osu.eduThanks as always to our Producer, Emily Pokou.A production of REEF Scuba

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.

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 TakeawaysStrategy & 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 EpisodeDamon Gameau (Filmmaker, 2040): @damongameauSeaTrees (Ocean regeneration project): @sea.trees

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 FoundationWebsite: 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/seawallsPrinted Oceans (fine art print program)Program page: https://pangeaseed.org/printed-oceans/ Tré Packard – Photography PortfolioInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/abovebelowphoto/ Other Mentioned OrganizationsProtect BlueProtect BlueWebsite: https://protect.blue Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/protect.blue Application / program pagesUndercurrent (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.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/paditv United Nations & UN Ocean ConferenceUN Ocean Conference (information page): https://www.un.org/en/conferences/ocean2025 United Nations – main organizationWebsite: https://www.un.org Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unitednations Influencer DatabaseIUCN – International Union for Conservation of NatureWebsite: https://www.iucn.org Instagram (IUCN Congress): https://www.instagram.com/iucn_congressREEF Roundup & REEF ScubaREEF Roundup – Marine conservation podcast (this show)Website: ⁠https://reef-roundup.com⁠ ⁠Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/reefroundup⁠ REEF Scuba – Nonprofit behind REEF RoundupWebsite: ⁠https://www.reef-scuba.org⁠ ⁠

In this episode, we’re honored to feature Rose Huizenga, founder of Coral Catch and co-founder of Gili Shark Conservation. Originally from the Netherlands, Rose has spent the past decade on Gili Air, Indonesia, transforming a dream to restore her island’s reefs into a powerful movement for ocean conservation and women’s empowerment.Through Coral Catch, Rose has built a sisterhood of local women—known as the Coral Catch Superwomen—who are trained as certified divers, reef restoration experts, and community leaders. These women are not only reviving reefs across Indonesia but also sparking ripple effects of change in their communities, proving that empowering women is a catalyst for stronger ecosystems and societies.For Rose, this mission is deeply personal. Every time she takes her daughters into the ocean, she’s reminded why she began: so the next generation can inherit a living, thriving ocean. Her vision is bold yet tangible—to empower 100 women to pursue conservation careers and 100 more to learn how to swim, ensuring a brighter future for both people and reefs.If you’re looking for a powerful story of how one person’s dream can ignite lasting change, this episode is a must-listen. Follow the journeys of the Coral Catch Superwomen on Instagram @coralcatch, and support their work at coralcatch.org/donate.

Farah Obaidullah is the founder of The Ocean and Us, the editor of the new book The Ocean and Us. She holds a Master of Science and Bachelor of Science from Imperial College in London. With over 20 years professional experience, Farah has travelled the world, observing the beauty of the ocean and witnessing some of the most egregious practices happening at sea. Among her achievements, Farah has executed campaigns to end destructive fishing, worked with affected communities, lobbied for ocean protection and been deeply involved in exposing fish crimes, including slavery and labour abuse at sea. Farah is currently campaigning for a moratorium on deep-sea mining, a reckless emerging industry that will cause irreversible harm to deep-sea ecosystems, and for which the consequences in terms of disturbing locked-away carbon are unknown. Support Farah's audacious new project: The Ocean Hope Tour, connecting people to the ocean and stopping the next climate disaster from starting! To listen to the second half of this episode, follow Eutopya Podcasts Make sure to check out Farah's website: https://www.theoceanandus.org/ and follow along with her initiatives! Follow us @ REEF Roundup Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Marine Conservation Podcast (@reefroundup)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ REEF Roundup Website ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠(reef-roundup.com)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ REEF Scuba Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (reef-scuba.org)