Undercurrents

Undercurrents

From Wander Woman: A Travel Podcast by Phoebe Smith

May 31, 2026 · 53 min · Season 4 · Episode 5

About this episode

Phoebe Smith explores the urgent need for shark and ray conservation while completing a diving specialty in Okinawa.

A manta ray glides through water as though it owns the ocean, then you remember the uncomfortable truth: many shark and ray species are sliding towards extinction, and we still do not have enough data to protect them properly. From Ishigaki in Okinawa, join adventurer Phoebe Smith as she becomes one of the first people in the world to complete the PADI (Professional Association of Dive Instructors) Shark and Ray Conservation speciality and uploads her sightings to the Global Shark and R...

People in this episode

Host: Phoebe Smith

Topics covered

  • marine conservation
  • shark species
  • ray species
  • diving
  • adventure travel

Keywords

  • manta ray
  • shark conservation
  • marine life
  • PADI
  • Ishigaki
  • Okinawa
  • extinction
  • adventure

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: PADI (Professional Association of Dive Instructors), Global Shark and Ray Conservation

Places: Ishigaki, Okinawa

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