Season 6 of the Ocean Protect Podcast kicks off with a fascinating chat with Dr @Matt Landos, Director at Future Fisheries Veterinary Service. In this chat, Matt discusses the chemical cocktail in our waterways and water resources and where it’s coming from - and what we need to do to save our oceans, waterways and ourselves. Useful links: Matt on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-landos-533a1723/ The Guardian article, “The river has been destroyed’: expert says agriculture has overshad...
Mar 10, 2024•1 hr 5 min•Season 6Ep. 1
Ocean Protect's very own Harout Tcherkezian joins Brad for the Season 5 finale. Harout has been with Ocean Protect for over twelve years, and overseas our operations in New South Wales, Australia. We chat about Harout's journey to date with Ocean Protect, the challenges of the job, and his ambition for his kids to think he's a legend. Harout on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/harout-tcherkezian-44636a1a/ For further information about Ocean Protect, check us out at www.oceanprotect.com.au H...
Dec 10, 2023•47 min•Season 5Ep. 23
Jeff Hansen is the Managing Director of Sea Shepherd Australia and a Global Director of Sea Shepherd. We talk about the key campaigns of Sea Shepherd - illegal fishing, ocean plastic and climate change - current direct actions, future plans, successes, and the challenges associated with protecting the most spectacular show on earth - nature. Useful links: https://www.seashepherd.org.au/ Jeff on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeff-hansen-521b42a For further information about Ocean Protect,...
Nov 26, 2023•45 min•Season 5Ep. 22
Sean Quilty is a Chartered Civil Engineer with 18 years’ experience in residential and industrial subdivisions, health precincts, educational precincts, waste management facilities, municipality works, major infrastructure upgrades, roadworks, road remediation, and master planning feasibility. He is Associate Principal at ADG Engineers and Associate Lecturer at Tafe Queensland, and has a passion for inspiring the next generation of engineers. In this chat, we talk about Sean's own education expe...
Nov 12, 2023•39 min•Season 5Ep. 21
Peter Hammarstedt is Global Director of Sea Shepherd campaigns and Chairman of the Australian Board. Peter has captained Sea Shepherd's MY Bob Barker for 11 years and is now Captaining their new vessel, the Allan Kay. In this amazing chat, Peter shares some of his insights from over 20 years of navigating the globe, confronting illegal whaling, sealing and destructive fishing. Useful links: Sea Shepherd's leadership team: https://www.seashepherdglobal.org/global/leadership/ Sea Shepherd's Illega...
Oct 29, 2023•50 min•Season 5Ep. 20
Mark Pages is a specialist in the field of micro-algae and other plant based ingredients, and founder of Phytality - a company specialising in the manufacture and supply of unique marine micro-algae and vegan omega-3 product solutions. In this chat, we discuss the sea 'food' and aquaculture industry, the importance and potential sources of Omega 3, and the benefits of the microscopic plant-like organisms called phytoplankton. Useful links: https://phytality.com.au/ Mark on LinkedIn: https://www....
Oct 01, 2023•48 min•Season 5Ep. 18
Jonas Larsen is an Environmental Scientist and Water Sensitive Urban Design Technical Officer at Logan City Council. In this chat, we talk about Jonas's incredible journey from a vision impaired child to a passion for protecting the environment he came to eventually see - working in a various roles in environmental, soil, and contaminated land and water industries, and applying his learnings to the water sensitive urban design space and bringing the biology into bioretention systems - one of the...
Sep 17, 2023•44 min•Season 5Ep. 17
Dr Paul Harvey is an environmental chemist and scientist, science communicator, speaker and author of The Plasticology Project book, which is a broad, comprehensive analysis of global plastic pollution – how it spreads, the damage it causes, and the risk it poses to our health and wellbeing. In this chat, we talk about all those things and more, and what we can (and ultimately must ) do to 'turn the tide' on plastic pollution. https://docpjharvey.com/ Paul on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/i...
Sep 03, 2023•47 min•Season 5Ep. 16
Dr Damian Lettoof is a Postdoctoral fellow at CSIRO and loves snakes. Returning for this second Ocean Protect Podcast appearance, we chat about Damian's new research that has found tiger snakes in Perth’s urban wetlands are accumulating high levels of chemical substances from ingesting PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), impacting the venomous reptiles’ overall health. The research, jointly led by Curtin University, Australia’s National Science Agency CSIRO and the Department of Water an...
Aug 20, 2023•43 min•Season 5Ep. 15
Erin Remblance is a freelance columnist and co-founder of re(Biz) with a passion for (re)generative and post-growth thinking and strategies. After some 12 years in National Account Management in fast-moving consumer goods companies (e.g. Univilever, Nestle, L’Oreal), bringing 3 kids into the world, and then a few years in carbon reduction and energy efficiency initiatives, she pivoted to learn what we REALLY need to do to better protect our planet – and ultimately help us all to live happier, he...
Aug 06, 2023•50 min•Season 5Ep. 14
Shannon Mead is the Founder of and Chief Butt Officer of "No More Butts" - returning for his third appearance on the pod. In this chat, Shannon drops truth bombs about dropped cigarette butts, vaping, and how cigarette filters do more harm than good - along with insights from participating at the 'INC2' (Second Session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee on Plastic Pollution) in Paris - where delegates from 180 nations took the first concrete step toward a legally binding treaty to re...
Jul 23, 2023•52 min•Season 5Ep. 13
Dr Michelle Blewitt is the Program Director of the Australian Microplastic Assessment Project (AUSMAP) - a bridge between a massive problem and the solutions, designed to document and analyse microplastic pollution in Australian aquatic environments. Michelle joins us on AUSMAP's 5th birthday for a chat in Bondi to discuss rent AUSMAP research findings, what makes a 'spot' 'hot' and recent research documenting the scourge of synthetic tyre rubber crumb from sports fields and playgrounds. Useful ...
Jul 09, 2023•45 min•Season 5Ep. 12
The legendary Grahame Lloyd, Sea Shepherd Australia's Remote Marine Debris Campaigner, is back for his third appearance on the Ocean Protect Podcast. In this chat, we discuss the life and times of doing marine debris clean-ups in some of the most remote parts of Australia, the impact of the debris on indigenous communities in these areas, and drop some truth bombs on how to help solve the plastic pollution crisis. Useful links: Grahame Lloyd - https://www.linkedin.com/in/grahame-lloyd-611295a5/ ...
Jun 25, 2023•47 min•Season 5Ep. 11
Dr Denise Hardesty, Senior Research Scientist at CSIRO Environment, returns for her second appearance on the podcast. This time, we catch up in Bondi the day after the Ocean Plastic Action Forum featured in previous episodes. In this chat, we discuss some of the latest research on plastic in our oceans, including new research by Denise and the CSIRO team about how two percent of all commercial fishing gear is being littered in our oceans. Useful links: Dr Denise Hardesty - https://people.csiro.a...
Jun 11, 2023•56 min•Season 5Ep. 10
This episode features the 4th (and final) part of recorded audio from inaugural Ocean Plastic Action Forum at Bondi Beach – held on 15th March 2023, as part of the Volvo Ocean Lovers Festival. This part includes the ‘where to from here’ session, where the speakers of the previous sessions (Dr Denise Hardesty, Prof. Veena Sahawjwalla, and Allegra Spender MP) provided a short synthesis of the previous discussions and highlight key essential actions to 'turn the tide' on ocean plastic pollution. Af...
May 28, 2023•32 min•Season 5Ep. 9
This episode is the third of a four-part series of recorded audio from the Ocean Plastic Action Forum at Bondi Beach – held on 15th March 2023, as part of the Volvo Ocean Lovers Festival. This part focusses on the “Path to Purging Plastic" session, where you will hear discussions and insights from current actions being undertaken to reduce ocean plastic pollution, including 'at source', recycling, treatment and 'clean up' initiatives. Allegra Spender MP (Parliament of Australia) provided a short...
May 14, 2023•1 hr 5 min•Season 5Ep. 8
This episode is the second of a four-part series of recorded audio from the Ocean Plastic Action Forum at Bondi Beach – held on 15th March 2023, as part of the Volvo Ocean Lovers Festival. This part focusses on the “Exploring Current Actions" session, where you will hear discussions and insights from current actions being undertaken to reduce ocean plastic pollution, including 'at source', recycling, treatment and 'clean up' initiatives. Professor Veena Sahajwalla (UNSW) provided a short present...
Apr 30, 2023•1 hr 10 min•Season 5Ep. 7
This episode is the first of a four-part series of recorded audio from the Ocean Plastic Action Forum at Bondi Beach – held on 15th March 2023, as part of the Volvo Ocean Lovers Festival. The forum included industry leaders, innovators, scientists, government and community leaders discussing how to 'turn the tide' on plastic in our ocean – including a few short presentations and interactive Q&A panel sessions. This first part focusses on the “Key Trends and Impacts” session, which included i...
Apr 16, 2023•1 hr 1 min•Season 5Ep. 6
Nicholas Carter is an ecologist and environmental science and policy analyst, and advocates for transformational food system changes. In this chat, we discuss the link between agriculture and land use, how to address the climate and biodiversity crisis while still feeding the world, and bust a few myths about 'regenerative agriculture'. Useful links: https://oceanprotect.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/OPPodcast_S5E5_resources.pdf - studies/ analyses referred to by Nicholas in episode (in appr...
Apr 02, 2023•1 hr 4 min•Season 5Ep. 5
Philip Ehrhorn is Chief Technical Officer and Co-founder of The Great Bubble Barrier - the first technology to use a bubble curtain to capture plastic pollution in rivers. We discuss the technology, how the idea came about (simultaneously in two countries), its development, its effectiveness, application and future plans. Useful links: https://thegreatbubblebarrier.com/ Philip on LinkedIn ( here ) For further information about Ocean Protect, check us out at www.oceanprotect.com.au Hosted on Acas...
Mar 19, 2023•51 min•Season 5Ep. 4
Dr Jodie Rummer is Professor of Marine Biology at James Cook University in Townsville, Australia - and is an expert on climate change and coral fish. In this chat, we discuss the athletic awesomeness of fish, the key threats to the Great Barrier Reef and how to best mitigate them, and what the future looks like for all reefs around the planet. Useful links: www.jodierummer.com Jodie on LinkedIn ( here ) https://physioshark.org TEDx JCU Cairns presentation by Jodie " Athletes of the Great Barrier...
Mar 05, 2023•46 min•Season 5Ep. 3
Professor Veena Sahajwalla is an expert in recycling, the founding Director of the Director of the Centre for Sustainable Materials Research & Technology at University of New South Wales - and, last year, added NSW Australian of the year to her long list of honours and awards. In this chat, we talk about reimagining 'waste' as an opportunity - drawing on Veena's experiences growing up in Mumbai to her pioneering micro-factories and green steel innovation. Useful links: Veena at UNSW ( here )...
Feb 19, 2023•51 min•Season 5Ep. 2
We kick off Season 5 with a fantastic chat with Dr Charlene Trestrail - a Postdoctoral Researcher at the University of Technology Sydney. Charlene's particular speciality is understanding how microplastics threaten the animals we need to keep our ecosystems healthy. In this chat, we take a journey through the digestive system (like a microplastic!) and talk about how the different organs in the body are affected by microplastics - and how to minimise our ingestion of microplastics. Useful links:...
Feb 05, 2023•52 min•Season 5Ep. 1
Kimberly is the co-founder and CEO of Carapac - a company that takes waste crustacean shells and makes sustainable plastic alternative packaging. Frozen food processing plants across the Asia-Pacific region cumulatively produce about 8.1 million tons of crustacean waste per year. Carapac takes this otherwise 'waste' and makes truly biodegradable alternatives to petrochemical-based plastics. This fantastic story of innovation is an awesome way to wrap of our fourth season of the Ocean Protect Pod...
Nov 27, 2022•54 min•Season 4Ep. 22
Bridget is a Sustainability Educator at Keep Australia Beautiful NSW (and PhD candidate at University of Technology Sydney), helping deliver the "EnviroMentors" program to improve community awareness and engagement on local sustainability issues and initiatives. In this chat, we talk about the "Keeping Waterways Clean" module aimed at preventing stormwater pollution, and other effective education methods for kids (and adults) to help save our planet. Ocean Protect has been proudly supporting the...
Nov 13, 2022•38 min•Season 4Ep. 21
Marina is an Artivist, who began picking up trash on local beaches, creeks & streets over 20 years ago. In 2009, she began to create pieces of art that questioned the use of single use items and the amount of waste we create - and her work is exhibited regularly at galleries, 'trashion' exhibitions, 'inconvenience stores' and the current 'Sculptures by the Sea'. We chat about Marina's story, her perspectives from 20 years of picking up trash, artivism and animal welfare. Useful links: Marina...
Oct 30, 2022•53 min•Season 4Ep. 20
Justine is a Research Technician with CSIRO's Marine Debris Group, where she established a method for detecting microplastics in deep-sea sediment and was subsequently the lead author of a paper publishing the first global estimate of microplastics in deep-sea sediment. We talk about deep-sea microplastics and helping to stop it 'at source' with gross pollutant trap sensors and AI technology. Useful links: Justine Barrett CSIRO profile ( here ) Justine's 'The Conversation' article " We estimate ...
Oct 16, 2022•51 min•Season 4Ep. 19
Craig Fairbaugh has gone from rock star to rock star stormwater engineer. After shredding the punk rock scene with bands like Transplants, +44, Juliette Lewis and the Licks, and Mercy Killers, Craig went on to even bigger and badder things - helping to protect the planet from stormwater pollution. As Regional Regulatory Manager at Contech Engineered Solutions in Oregon USA, Craig is a recognised expert in stormwater treatment, helping state and municipal agencies in achieving stormwater complian...
Oct 02, 2022•1 hr 13 min•Season 4Ep. 18
Daniel Rider is the Water Sensitive Urban Design Compliance Officer at Blacktown City Council and is currently developing and implementing Australia’s first Water Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD) Compliance Program. In this chat, we talk about the role of stormwater management in protecting the health of our ocean and waterways, and Blacktown City Council's WSUD Compliance Program - which will no doubt help stop an ENORMOUS amount of pollution entering downstream waterways and hopefully be replicat...
Sep 18, 2022•1 hr•Season 4Ep. 17
Dr Kathy Willis is a Fulbright Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Washington and CSIRO Scientific Researcher on a mission to combat plastic pollution and reframe plastic as a valuable commodity rather than a throwaway item. In Kathy's second appearance on the pod, we discuss the recent good news about plastic pollution on Australian beaches, spatial and temporal trends in plastic washing up on beaches along the US Pacific Northwest, citizen science, 'biofoul' on marine debris, and communit...
Sep 04, 2022•40 min•Season 4Ep. 16