The Healthy Seas Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

In this episode of our “Ocean’s Natural Cleaning Crew” series, marine scientist Erik Wurz reveals how sponges filter water, recycle nutrients, and quietly sustain marine life

Most of us think of ocean protection in terms of visible action: removing nets, collecting waste, monitoring habitats. But beneath the surface, nature has its own clean-up teams: organisms that filter water, recycle nutrients, and make marine ecosystems possible.

In this episode of our series on marine life that helps keep the ocean clean, we meet one of its most overlooked workers: the sponge.

Marine biologist Erik Wurz (University of Helsinki) takes us into a world most people never notice: animals that can look like paper sheets, chimneys, or giant vases, quietly pumping water through their bodies day and night.

A football-sized sponge, he explains, could filter up to 30,000 liters of seawater per day, removing bacteria, particles, and dissolved matter and releasing ultra-clean water back into the ocean. But their role goes far beyond filtration.

By transforming microscopic organic material into edible particles, sponges effectively kick-start marine food webs, making energy available to fish, invertebrates, and entire ecosystems. Without them, many marine habitats would struggle to sustain life.  In some parts of the deep sea, they even form vast “animal forests,” structures that provide shelter, breeding grounds, and feeding platforms for countless species.

And yet, despite their importance, sponges remain largely invisible in public imagination  overshadowed by more charismatic marine animals. That’s something Erik hopes to change: “I hope this podcast helps make sponges cool.”

The conversation also explores how climate change, sediment disturbance, and bottom trawling can disrupt sponge ecosystems with long-term consequences for fisheries, ocean health, and even potential biomedical discoveries hidden within sponge microbiomes.

If Healthy Seas teams remove debris in marine habitats, sponges do something incredibly remarkable too — continuously and silently — by filtering, recycling, and sustaining the ocean from within.

This episode invites us to look again at the seabed and many other places and notice the quiet workers already keeping it alive.

Healthy Seas is a marine conservation organization whose mission is to tackle the ghost fishing phenomenon and turn this waste into an opportunity for a more circular economy. They do this through clean-ups, prevention, education, and working with partners who recycle and repurpose this material. The podcast is hosted by Crystal DiMiceli.

If you enjoyed this episode, please be sure to subscribe, rate and review it! This helps to boost its visibility.

Healthy Seas is a marine conservation organization whose mission is to tackle the ghost fishing phenomenon and turn this waste into an opportunity for a more circular economy. They do this through clean-ups, prevention, education, and working with partners who recycle and repurpose this material. The podcast is hosted by Crystal DiMiceli.

When Nature Has a Number on the Balance Sheet

How the financial world is starting to recognize the value of ecosystems services

In this episode of the Healthy Seas Podcast, we sit down with Dr. Ralph Chami — financial economist, former Assistant Director at the International Monetary Fund, and Co-Founder of Blue Green Future — to explore one of the most powerful shifts underway: integrating the value of nature’s services into economic and financial systems.

From whales and seagrass to elephants and bison, Ralph’s work centers around measuring the economic contributions of living ecosystems and designing financial tools that recognize their role in climate regulation, biodiversity support, and human wellbeing. The goal? To accelerate funding for restoration and protection by making nature visible on the balance sheet.

A Whale, a Shift, a New Vision

The conversation begins with a deeply personal story: a moment in the Sea of Cortez that transformed Ralph’s life and career. From that encounter with a blue whale came a new path, one that brought together climate science, conservation, and high-level economics. Since then, Ralph has helped governments and organizations understand how to value nature’s services — not to commodify ecosystems, but to make the case for investing in their preservation and restoration.

In the episode, you’ll hear about:

• Why whales can be worth millions over their lifetime through carbon storage
• How forward contracts are being used to fund environmental restoration
• What makes a nature-based project “investable”
• Why markets are slow to respond — and what could unlock faster change
• The role of communities in managing and benefiting from ecosystem services
• The risks of leaving nature outside the financial system, and how to avoid them

When Oceans Meet Economics

For companies, investors, and governments trying to build credible climate and biodiversity strategies, this episode offers a new lens. As Ralph puts it, valuing nature’s services isn’t about replacing conservation with markets — it’s about finally recognizing the systems we depend on, and funding their protection before it’s too late.

It’s a bold reframe of where value lies, and how finance can be part of the solution.

If you enjoyed this episode, please be sure to subscribe, rate and review it! This helps to boost its visibility.

Healthy Seas is a marine conservation organization whose mission is to tackle the ghost fishing phenomenon and turn this waste into an opportunity for a more circular economy. They do this through clean-ups, prevention, education, and working with partners who recycle and repurpose this material. The podcast is hosted by Crystal DiMiceli.

Dr. Anna von Rebay is the founder and CEO of Ocean Vision Legal (OVL), the first law firm worldwide entirely specializing in Ocean Protection.  OVL focuses on the enforcement of existing obligations to protect the marine environment (Ocean Litigation) and advocates for new laws to provide better protection standards for the Ocean (Ocean Rights).

Understanding Ocean Litigation

Ocean litigation is a term coined by Dr. von Rebay, inspired by the growing climate litigation movement. In our discussion, she explains what ocean litigation means and how it could transform the way we protect our oceans. This innovative approach encompasses legal actions and frameworks aimed at addressing environmental harm and promoting marine protection and conservation.

Connecting Climate and Ocean Litigation

We explore the connection between climate litigation and ocean litigation, highlighting how the fight against climate change intersects with efforts to safeguard our oceans. Dr. von Rebay discusses the parallels between these movements and how lessons learned from climate litigation can be applied to the ocean context.

Rights of Nature and the Rights of Marine Species

One of the most intriguing aspects of our conversation is the Rights of Nature movement and its application to marine species. Dr. von Rebay shares her work on whale rights in collaboration with the Maori, illustrating how this concept can lead to a more equitable and sustainable approach to the way we think, see. and protect our oceans.

Exploring Ecocide and Human Rights

We also touch on ecocide and its implications for ocean protection. Dr. von Rebay emphasizes the need to view environmental destruction as a serious crime and discusses human rights connections with ocean rights. She shares how her early passion for human rights and courtroom advocacy influenced her journey into ocean protection.

Reimagining Ocean Rights and Nature's Intrinsic Value

Beyond litigation, Dr. von Rebay discusses the second branch of Ocean Vision Legal: ocean rights. This initiative focuses on improving laws and challenging the traditional view of nature as a resource. Instead, Dr. von Rebay advocates for recognizing nature's intrinsic value, promoting a deeper respect for the oceans and their ecosystems.

Join us as we explore these fascinating topics with Dr. Anna von Rebay and gain insights into the evolving landscape of ocean protection.

If you enjoyed this episode, please be sure to subscribe, rate and review it! This helps to boost its visibility.

Healthy Seas is a marine conservation organization whose mission is to tackle the ghost fishing phenomenon and turn this waste into an opportunity for a more circular economy. They do this through clean-ups, prevention, education, and working with partners who recycle and repurpose this material. The podcast is hosted by Crystal DiMiceli.

We're diving into the murky waters of ghost farms with Veronika Mikos, the director of Healthy Seas. Ghost farms, a relatively unknown, but significant, threat to marine ecosystems and coastal communities, are the focus of this insightful conversation. Veronika guides us through the intricacies of what ghost farms are, where they are typically found, and their impact on communities, marine life, and ocean pollution.

What Are Ghost Farms?

Ghost farms refer to abandoned aquaculture or fish farming sites, often left to deteriorate in coastal waters. These sites become environmental hazards, polluting the ocean with debris, and affecting marine ecosystems. The presence of decaying structures, abandoned nets, and other industrial waste can harm wildlife and disrupt local communities' livelihoods.

The Impact on Marine Life and Ocean Pollution

Veronika discusses the numerous ways in which ghost farms impact marine life. Abandoned nets and other structures can entangle sea creatures, causing injury or death. Moreover, the decaying materials from these sites contribute to ocean pollution, affecting the broader marine ecosystem and leading to cascading effects on the food chain.

Organizing a Cleanup

Veronika shares how Healthy Seas organizes cleanups of ghost farms. The process involves complex logistics, including securing funding, gathering a skilled team, and obtaining legal information. The cleanups aim to remove debris and restore the natural environment, ensuring that the sea can begin to heal from the damage caused by these abandoned sites.

A Growing Problem with Limited Knowledge

The episode also highlights the limited knowledge about ghost farms' full impact. Veronika notes that, despite being a growing problem, there's a lack of comprehensive studies and data on the extent of the issue. This lack of information poses challenges for those working to address the problem, emphasizing the need for more research and awareness.

New Operation: Ghost Farms - Reclaiming Waters

One of the exciting announcements in this episode is the upcoming "Ghost Farms - Reclaiming Waters" operation. Starting in May, this initiative will focus on cleaning up ghost farms in Western Greece and educational activities with universities and schools. The operation is set to continue throughout the year, aiming to make a significant impact on the affected areas.

Tune in to learn more about ghost farms, the work being done to reclaim our waters, and how you can get involved in supporting these efforts. Don't forget to subscribe to the Healthy Seas podcast to stay updated on the latest news and episodes!

If you enjoyed this episode, please be sure to subscribe, rate and review it! This helps to boost its visibility.

Healthy Seas is a marine conservation organization whose mission is to tackle the ghost fishing phenomenon and turn this waste into an opportunity for a more circular economy. They do this through clean-ups, prevention, education, and working with partners who recycle and repurpose this material. The podcast is hosted by Crystal DiMiceli.

Naude Dreyer is the co-founder of Ocean Conservation Namibia (OCN), a non-profit organization established in 2020 with a mission to rescue marine life, especially seals, entangled in plastic pollution and raise awareness about the devastating impact of this waste on our oceans.

Through Naude's firsthand accounts, listeners gain insight into the heartbreaking reality of seals becoming ensnared in abandoned fishing gear, posing a grave threat to their survival and the health of our oceans. Despite facing challenges ranging from safety concerns to bureaucratic hurdles, OCN has rescued over 3,500 seals from entanglement, demonstrating their unwavering dedication to marine conservation.

From innovative rescue techniques to advocacy efforts aimed at policy change and community engagement, OCN embodies grassroots activism at its finest. Initiatives like their intern program and collaborations with local communities and authorities are not only saving individual animals but also fostering a culture of ocean stewardship for generations to come.

As advocates for cleaner, healthier seas, we salute the tireless work of Ocean Conservation Namibia and urge everyone to join the fight against ghost gear and plastic pollution. Together, we can protect our oceans and the precious life they sustain.

Resources

• Link to the rescue of the seal, Julius, that Naude refers to and also to see the incredibly difficult work OCN does to help seals. 
• OCN website  

If you enjoyed this episode, please be sure to subscribe, rate and review it! This helps to boost its visibility.

Healthy Seas is a marine conservation organization whose mission is to tackle the ghost fishing phenomenon and turn this waste into an opportunity for a more circular economy. They do this through clean-ups, prevention, education, and working with partners who recycle and repurpose this material. The podcast is hosted by Crystal DiMiceli.

Emily Owen is the Marine Program Director at WildAid, an organization at the forefront of marine protection efforts. With their recent Earthshot Prize win, WildAid is setting the bar high for global conservation initiatives. 

In this conversation, Emily delves into one of WildAid’s specialties- the enforcement of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). Highlighting the varied types of MPAs, from offshore sanctuaries to coastal reserves, Emily emphasizes their essential contribution to sustainable fisheries and climate change mitigation. Despite the challenges in enforcing MPAs, such as staffing shortages and limited resources, WildAid has pioneered an approach that empowers local leaders to strengthen monitoring and surveillance, meet conservation goals, and provide lasting benefits for endangered wildlife, marine ecosystems, fisheries, and coastal communities.

WildAid's commitment to marine conservation, validated by their Earthshot Prize achievement, resonates with Healthy Seas’ mission to tackle marine debris and foster healthier aquatic ecosystems. Let's join forces to protect our oceans and ensure their sustainability for future generations.

If you enjoyed this episode, please be sure to subscribe, rate and review it! This helps to boost its visibility.

Healthy Seas is a marine conservation organization whose mission is to tackle the ghost fishing phenomenon and turn this waste into an opportunity for a more circular economy. They do this through clean-ups, prevention, education, and working with partners who recycle and repurpose this material. The podcast is hosted by Crystal DiMiceli.

Dive into the depths of marine litter detection with Manuel Arias, an earth observation
scientist at the Instituto de Ciencias del Mar in Spain in this episode of the Healthy
Seas Podcast.

As specialists in cleaning the seas and combating marine pollution, the Healthy Seas
Foundation brings you an insightful conversation with Arias, who delves into the innovative technologies driving the detection and categorization of marine debris.

From optical sensors on satellites to drones, explore the pros and cons of different remote sensing technologies and their crucial role in identifying and measuring marine litter.

Arias discusses the significance of detecting and quantifying marine litter, particularly amidst evolving policy changes and legislation aimed at mitigating its impact. Gain insight into the challenges of detecting floating litter versus sunken debris, including the persistent threat of ghost gear and ghost nets. Discover the environmental ramifications of plastics in the ocean, from their ability to absorb toxic substances to the formation and detection of microplastics and nanoplastics.

This episode also addresses the spill of microbeads in Spain, recycling options, consumption reduction strategies, and collaboration with the fishing industry.

Join us as we unravel the complexities of marine pollution and emphasize the importance of legislative measures in safeguarding our oceans!

Tune in to this enlightening discussion, packed with topics essential to the Healthy Seas Foundation's ocean conservation and awareness mission. Don't miss out on this opportunity to uncover what lies beneath the surface and join us in our efforts to protect and clean the seas.

Some interesting links on the topics Manuel Arias discusses.

- IOOCCG Taskforce
- GEO BLUE Planet e IMDOS
- IMDOS
- Ocean Decade Conference
- Enzymes to degrade plastics
- IEO Drones
- The problem with the idea of biodegradable plastic
- One of their collaborative works in the field
- Plastic pellet spill in Spain 

If you enjoyed this episode, please be sure to subscribe, rate and review it! This helps to boost its visibility.

Healthy Seas is a marine conservation organization whose mission is to tackle the ghost fishing phenomenon and turn this waste into an opportunity for a more circular economy. They do this through clean-ups, prevention, education, and working with partners who recycle and repurpose this material. The podcast is hosted by Crystal DiMiceli.

In this special episode of the "Healthy Seas Podcast," we celebrate a decade of the organization's impactful work in marine conservation. Featuring guests Veronica Mikos, Director of Healthy Seas, and Maria Giovanna Sandrini from Aquafil, the episode delves into the unique partnership between a marine conservation group and a synthetic fiber producer. They reflect on the organization's growth, its role in promoting sustainability and a circular economy, and discuss future plans for marine conservation. The episode is a testament to how businesses and nonprofits can work together for a sustainable future for our oceans.

If you enjoyed this episode, please be sure to subscribe, rate and review it! This helps to boost its visibility.

Healthy Seas is a marine conservation organization whose mission is to tackle the ghost fishing phenomenon and turn this waste into an opportunity for a more circular economy. They do this through clean-ups, prevention, education, and working with partners who recycle and repurpose this material. The podcast is hosted by Crystal DiMiceli.

The world's first octopus farm is on the cusp of being greenlighted, however, not without a global outcry. Today's guest, Dr. Elena Lara, is with the organization, Compassion in World Farming. She talks about what makes these animals so incredible- from their ability to solve problems to their uncanny talent for camouflage despite being colorblind! We explore the ethical and environmental considerations that come into play as the world seeks to supply the growing demand for seafood with the welfare of these intelligent, sentient creatures.

If you would like to sign a petition against octopus farming, click HERE.

Compassion in World Farming Reports on octopus farming:

• Octopus factory farming a recipe for disaster
• Uncovering the horrific reality of octopus farming 

If you enjoyed this episode, please be sure to subscribe, rate and review it! This helps to boost its visibility.

Healthy Seas is a marine conservation organization whose mission is to tackle the ghost fishing phenomenon and turn this waste into an opportunity for a more circular economy. They do this through clean-ups, prevention, education, and working with partners who recycle and repurpose this material. The podcast is hosted by Crystal DiMiceli.

When it comes to supporting ocean clean-up efforts, oftentimes organizations are asked to report on the weight of everything they pulled out of the water. Seemingly, the higher the number, the more valuable the effort was. However, this is a flawed, and potentially dangerous, practice. For example, an almost weightless gill net could entangle and kill countless more animals than a heavy trawler net. It's also more likely to get wrapped up in boat propellers, posing a hazard and liability for people out at sea. Today's guests, Kelsey Richardson, a marine consultant for the Food and Agriculture Organization, and Pascal Van Erp of Healthy Seas and GhostDiving, help to clear up why we need to move away from the "race for kgs" and, instead, toward more meaningful metrics.

 
Further Reading/ Resources:

• Global Ghost Gear Initiative Best Practice Framework for the Management of Fishing Gear
• Challenges and misperceptions around global fishing gear loss estimates 
• Global estimates of fishing gear lost to the ocean each year 
• Highest risk abandoned, lost and discarded fishing gear

If you enjoyed this episode, please be sure to subscribe, rate and review it! This helps to boost its visibility.

Healthy Seas is a marine conservation organization whose mission is to tackle the ghost fishing phenomenon and turn this waste into an opportunity for a more circular economy. They do this through clean-ups, prevention, education, and working with partners who recycle and repurpose this material. The podcast is hosted by Crystal DiMiceli.