Explore every episode of the podcast The Scuba Educational Alliance Ocean Podcast
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
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| 27. Is Climate Change Really a Con Job? I Think Not! | 25 Sep 2025 | 00:14:13 | |
Recently, President Trump addressed the United Nations where he told the world that climate change is a greatest con job. He also said that this was being predicted by stupid people. I disagree. There is detailed scientific data that paints the picture that the planet’s climate is changing. Recently the American Meteorological Society released their State of the Climate 2024 and provides the evidence that the world is heating up. The report tells us that the oceans are getting warmer and records continue to fall when it comes to the heat. When NASA was actively engaged in climate study (they recently pulled back), they reported on how climate change was impacting the ocean. Here is their assessment.
NO! Climate change is NOT a con job. It is happening and happening fast. We need to face the facts and implement the needed changes. | |||
| 26. Let’s Talk About Plastic, Power and Profit | 11 Sep 2025 | 00:19:01 | |
The Plastic Pollution Coalition reported some disappointing results from the UN’s Intergovernmental Negotiating Committees recent meeting in Geneva – August 5 to 15, 2025. The meetings were riddled with distraction and delay tactics from the fossil fuel industry and plastic friendly countries. How big are the lobbying efforts. Greenpeace’s report – Plastic, Profit and Power – How petrochemical companies are derailing the global plastic treaty outlines just how this is happening. Dow, ExxonMobil, BASF, Chevron, Phillips, Shell, SABIC and INEOS are all sending lobbyist to the meetings. There were 220 lobbyist. That is the single largest delegation at the conference. These lobbyist playbook is one of delay, distract, discredit and dominate. Greenpeace’s recommendations:
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| 17. What is happening at NOAA? | 01 May 2025 | 00:19:10 | |
Like many federal – the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is being drastically impacted by efforts to shrink government. And this effort not only seriously undermines the mission of the agency but also we are seeing the political impacts and assault on the environment. Let’s take a look at how these layoffs are causing issues across the various mission areas of NOAA. We will also discuss how today’s political environment is toxic to the natural environment. =================================================================== Sea State takes a look at
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| 16. The Assault on Our Oceans from Within | 17 Apr 2025 | 00:20:32 | |
Our oceans are under assault. From the US withdraw from the Paris Agreement and the number of executive orders issued by President Trump we are seeing an all out pummeling of initiatives designed to protect the environment and the oceans. On April 8, 2025 an executive order was signed to reinvigorate America’s beautiful clean coal industry. Another executive order looks to sunset environmental regulations. There is also a presidential memorandum targeting regulation related to the environment. As the US moves away from environmental leadership, we will continue to see the planet get hotter, and ultimately the demise of the oceans through global warming, pollution, offshore drilling and overfishing. ================================================================= Sea State looks at
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| 15. Beneath the Sea Dive Show Recap | 03 Apr 2025 | 00:19:56 | |
I recently attended one day of the Beneath the Sea Scuba Ocean Exposition, Dive and Travel Show. This was their 46th show that was started by Zig and JoAnn Zigahn back in 1976. The show made its come back from the pandemic in 2023. The show ran March 28 – 30, 2025 and featured seminars, conferences, dinners, receptions and of course the main exhibition hall. I had a chance to touch base with a number of folks and find some new travel options. =================================================================== Sea State looks at
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| 14. The Boston Sea Rovers Show 2025 Recap | 20 Mar 2025 | 00:20:20 | |
The Boston Sea Rovers 71st International Ocean Symposium and Film Festival kicked off the Northeast dive season with a fantastic show March 15 and 16. As one of the worlds longest continuously running scuba diving shows, the 2025 edition lived up to its mission of Raising the Level of Knowledge of the Underwater World. The two-day event featured 39 daytime seminars with unique themes covering wrecks and maritime history, marine science and technology, photography and videography, dive travel and programs along with marine conservation, corals and animals. The signature event of the weekend was the 71st Annual International Film Festival. Nancy McGee, a member of the Women’s Divers Hall of Fame and an Explorers Club Fellow served as the master of ceremonies. The packed hall was treated to an outstanding program featuring work by Hergen Spalink, Eric Chang, Jennifer Selloitti, Rose Darlymple and Cristian Dimitrius. We were also treated to a surprise presentation by Dr. Bob Ballard and the incredible work he is doing with EV Nautilus. While the show may be considered small, it is powerful with high profile attendance and offers an intimacy and energy that is difficult to get with large scale productions. This year the exhibit floor was packed with both returning and new exhibitors ready to engage with the multitude of attendees. What is very encouraging is the number of younger participants eager to learn and interact with some of the legends of the dive industry. =============================================================== Sea State looks at –
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| 13. My Top Three Dive Destinations and Resorts | 06 Mar 2025 | 00:18:58 | |
As scuba divers we love adventure and exploring dive destinations around the world. When I consider a dive destination and resort some of my criteria include:
Here are my top three dive destinations and resorts
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| 12. Thoughts on Our National Strategy to Prevent Plastic Pollution | 20 Feb 2025 | 00:18:52 | |
In November 2024, the EPA released the National Strategy to Prevent Plastic Pollution. This strategy was developed in accordance with the Save Our Seas Act 2.0 of 2020 signed by President Trump on December 18, 2020. This national strategy has six main objectives
Will this strategy ever be implemented given the current political environment of job cuts and funding freezes? =============================================================== Sea States looks at
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| 11. The US and the Paris Agreement 2025 – What’s Next | 06 Feb 2025 | 00:19:22 | |
The Paris Agreement on Climate Change is now 10 years old. For the second time in the ten years, the United States is withdrawing from a worldwide treaty to combat greenhouse gas. On January 20, 2025 by executive order, the US is again abandoning the treaty and eliminating any funding addressing climate initiatives. Do we really think this is in America’s best interest? =============================================================== Sea State looks at:
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| 10. Observations of the Scuba Industry for 2025 | 23 Jan 2025 | 00:17:41 | |
Listen for my observations on the state of the scuba diving industry in 2025. While there are several headwinds that are facing the industry there are two issues that are critical for the sustainability of the dive industry
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| 9. A Look Ahead into 2025 – Another Busy Year | 09 Jan 2025 | 00:16:02 | |
Welcome to 2025 – Happy New Year. As we make our way into the new year – let’s take a look ahead at what is on our plate for 2025. Scuba Educational Alliance of Connecticut will be offering two different scholarships in 2025:
Applications open February 1, 2025 and will be awarded on March 31, 2025 March is also when we have the Boston Sea Rovers clinic here in the northeast and I will continue to help them in the planning and execution of the show. 2025 is also my third year serving on the DEMA Board of Directors and I also will participate in DEMA’s Retailer Engagement Committee and the Show Committee. Check out my initial reading list for 2025. As for travel – we’ll be heading out to Indonesia with Dive Into Lembeh and then onto the Philippines for a stay at Atlantis in Dumaguete. We are also planning a week on Cayman Brac with Dive Pirates working with divers with disabilities. Finally, my work with Scuba Diving Industry Magazine and the Level Up podcast will continue. Just need to fit all of this in with my work around the house and the sweetness of doing nothing. | |||
| 8. Let’s Wrap Up 2024 – A year of change | 26 Dec 2024 | 00:18:15 | |
On this episode, I take a look back at 2024, a year of change and great travel. The big change for us was the sale of Scuba Shack – it was time for us to retire from the day-to-day operation. But that didn’t stop our travel schedule with great trips to Little Cayman, the Sea of Cortez and Cayman Brac. My work with DEMA continued along with a new gig writing for Scuba Diving Industry Magazine and participating in the new Level Up podcast from the magazine. With the sale of the shop, it was time to end Scuba Shack Radio and start a new podcast supporting the Scuba Educational Alliance of CT. Listen for the full recap of 2024. ================================================================= Sea State looks at –
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| 25. What if we had a sustainable ocean economy? | 28 Aug 2025 | 00:19:04 | |
In this episode I take a look at a blue paper published by the Ocean Panel on the impacts to the worldwide workforce if we take action and create a sustainable ocean economy versus not doing anything to help preserve the ocean. Currently, the worldwide workforce tied to the ocean economy is about 133 million. If we pursue sustainable practices that number could rise by 51 million more workers by 2050. If we do nothing they estimate that the number will drop by 40 million. A sustainable ocean economy requires governments, the private sector, financial institutions, educational institutions and civil society organizations to work in concert to achieve the needed results. The main factors that need to be addresses are
Sea State looks at
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| 7. Invasion of the pulse corals | 12 Dec 2024 | 00:18:09 | |
We are all familiar with the invasion of lionfish in the Caribbean but there is also another invasion that has been under the radar – pulse corals. These corals are from the Indo-Pacific and have been introduced into the Tropical Western Atlantic most likely from someone trying to grow them for commercial purposes. They are favorite for aquariums because they grow rapidly, are very decorative and are resilient. The invasion started in Venezuela but they have now been reported in Cuba and Puerto Rico. Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao are also on alert. Florida is also concerned. The coral polyps are always out and move open and close thus looking like they are pulsing. ================================================================ Sea State discusses
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| 6. DEMA Show 2024 Wrap Up | 03 Dec 2024 | 00:18:17 | |
DEMA Show 2024 recently wrapped up in Las Vegas. The show ran November 19 – 22, 2024. The show’s size was very much the same as 2023 in New Orleans from both an exhibitor and attendee perspective in spite of the concerns regarding overlap with the 2024 Las Vegas Grand Prix. The DEMA Show is arguably the most important event for the scuba diving industry. ============================================================ Sea State covers
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| 5. Finding the Middle with Scuba Diving | 14 Nov 2024 | 00:18:20 | |
In this hyper polarized political world, we can take an example from our scuba diving community on how we can come together in the middle. Whether we are into shipwrecks, coral reefs, caves, or technical diving, we understand and respect the laws of physics, have a mutual trust with our buddies, dive professionals and dive shops, and respect individual choices when it comes to equipment. ================================================================= Sea State discusses
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| 4. Diving on Cayman Brac | 31 Oct 2024 | 00:21:00 | |
Another one of the great Cayman Islands for diving is Cayman Brac and the Cayman Brac Beach Resort and Reef Divers is a perfect place to base your adventure. The Cayman Brac Beach Resort has been updated with a new large pool and bar area along with rebuilt docks. The all-inclusive breakfast, lunch and dinner package will ensure that you pack on a few pounds. Reef Divers offers valet dive service and with their large boats can easily and quickly get to dive sites on both the north and south side of the island when the weather cooperates. Water temperature was a consistent 85 degrees F in late October with 80 to 100 feet of visibility. Listen for all of the details. ================================================================= Sea State discusses
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| 3. Learn about COP 16 and the Special Session on Coral Reefs | 17 Oct 2024 | 00:18:54 | |
The Conference of Parties (COP16) to the Convention on Biological Diversity also known at the United Nations Biodiversity Conference will be held in Cali, Columbia on October 21 through November 1, 2024. A special session on coral reefs has been called by the UN Secretary General’s Envoy for the Ocean, HE Ambassador Peter Thompson. This is needed now to address the ongoing impacts of the fourth global coral bleaching event. By providing the latest scientific information, they hope to develop methods to improve resiliency. The latest bleaching event is impacting about 75% of coral reefs worldwide. COP 16 is focused on building on the 2022 COP 15 Kummig-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework that targets protecting 30% of the planet and restore 30% of degraded ecosystems by 2030. =================================================================== Sea State covers
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| 2. Risk Mitigation in Scuba Diving – It’s Personal | 03 Oct 2024 | 00:19:52 | |
When we decide to become a scuba diver we embark on an incredible journey. We are certified as open water divers and are now able to venture underwater. With this opportunity comes personal responsibility. We must manage the risks Personal risk mitigation involves
Risk mitigation in diving is personal!!! ================================================================== Sea State covers
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| 1. The US Supreme Court and Chevron Deference | 19 Sep 2024 | 00:19:33 | |
The US Supreme Court recently rendered an opinion that reversed a 40 year precedent known as Chevron Deference. This precedent allowed federal agencies to interpret ambiguous areas of laws that fell within their area of expertise, thus allowing the experts to implement policy. This precedent was challenged by Loper Bright Enterprise in the case of Loper Bright Enterprise v. Raimondo. In a 6-3 opinion, the Supreme Court ruled that Chevron Deference was no more and that interpretation of ambiguity in the law rests with federal judges. This decision could result in a chaotic state especially when it comes to environmental policy. ========================================================== Sea State looks at
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| Introducing the Scuba Educational Ocean Podcast | 01 Sep 2024 | 00:02:24 | |
Coming September 19, 2024, from Jeff Cinciripino, former host of Scuba Shack Radio and owner of Scuba Shack in Rocky Hill, CT. This new podcast is dedicated to ocean health, sustainability and the creation of a new generation of ocean stewards through scuba diving. In conjunction with Scuba Educational Alliance of Connecticut, I hope to empower individuals with knowledge and ideas for keeping our oceans healthy and ensuring long-term sustainability by supporting our youth in pursuit of scuba diving and thus becoming protectors of our seas. Please join me in this journey. | |||
| 24. Rewriting our National Climate Assessment! | 14 Aug 2025 | 00:19:56 | |
The US Energy Secretary recently announced that they are reassessing, or essentially rewriting the 2023 congressionally mandated National Climate Assessment (NCA) report. Apparently, the assessment isn’t inline with the current administrations thinking regardless of the scientific data backing the assessment. The Department of Energy has taken down the website hosting the NCA. While the Energy Secretary wants to unleash American energy dominance, it appears that this primarily means through fossil fuel and not necessarily innovative solutions. Solar power however is on the rise and is now becoming cost effective to build and maintain and also it is scaling fast. Two top solar power states include California and Texas – two states on very different sides of political aisle. Sea State looks at
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| 23. What’s up with Shark Week and What’s Going on at the EPA??? | 31 Jul 2025 | 00:18:27 | |
Shark Week 2025 featured a new show “Dancing with Sharks” Now this show is billed as an underwater dance competition between experienced scuba divers and their shark partners. They performed moves like Hammerhead Hoedown and Tiger Trot. Has Shark Week jumped the shark? The Environmental Protection Agency is pushing to remove the “endangerment finding” for pollutants resulting from the burning of fossil fuels. By removing this status, regulations under the Clean Air Act would essentially be lifted. Is that a good thing? I think not. ================================================================ Sea State looks at
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| 22. The Future of Diving | 17 Jul 2025 | 00:17:50 | |
The future of scuba diving is not with our current generation of scuba divers; the future of diving is with the next generation of scuba divers – specifically the Gen Z, Millennials and younger generations. They could be ready to become the future but is the diving industry ready for them. There are challenges including
Breaking down the financial barriers is needed to overcome the high entry cost. Once certified, how do we keep this new generation of divers engaged. All stakeholders in the scuba diving industry need to coordinate efforts to meet these younger generation where they are – not where the industry is today. ================================================================ Sea State discusses
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| 21. Becoming a Dive Pirate | 03 Jul 2025 | 00:15:02 | |
The Dive Pirates Foundation is an organization dedicated to enabling individuals with physical disabilities enjoy the underwater world through scuba diving. Their motto is “We no longer see disabilities, we see possibilities”. Each year, Dive Pirates runs a dive trip for adaptive divers, their buddies and volunteers. This year, I decided to volunteer, observe, learn and be part of the team. While on the trip, I was able to complete my training and certification as an SDI Scubility Adaptive Dive Buddy. As a Dive Pirate I am now part of another family in the diving community. | |||
| 20. Let’s talk about the “State of the Oceans” | 19 Jun 2025 | 00:18:39 | |
The State of the Oceans report from Statisa and the German Ocean foundation gives us an overview of how they see the current state of the oceans around the world. This report discusses how the oceans are critical for an environmentally, economically and socially sustainable future. However, the impacts of climate change and pollution are seriously impacting the state of the ocean. In 2015 global leaders agreed to Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) for protecting the planet. SDG 14 focused on life below water. Unfortunately, the 2020 goals for SDG 14 have not been met. But we keep have to keep trying. In 2022, world leaders again looked to protect 30% of coastal and marine environments by 2030. Progress is being made. Eleven countries have already met the target. We still have a long way to go. The report is available at www.statista.com ================================================================== Sea State discusses
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| 19. A Return to Key Largo | 05 Jun 2025 | 00:18:12 | |
Another of my favorite spots to get in some scuba diving is Key Largo. I finally returned after five years. The last time I made it to the Keys was 2019 before the pandemic. It was also an opportunity to find my blue mind again after being out of the water for over 200 days. We stayed at The Courtyard Key Largo at mile marker 100 and did two days of diving with Horizon Divers. We chose the two-tank shallow dives. Our dive sites included
Listen for some details about the dives. Our dinning included
Our trip wrapped up with a visit to the History of Diving Museum and Islamorada Brewery and Distillery. | |||
| 18. Plastic Foam Needs To Go! | 15 May 2025 | 00:20:01 | |
Oceana recently released a report – Plastic Foam Needs ‘To Go’ Plastic foam is one type of polystyrene that is incredibly harmful to the environment and human health. Most US registered voters agree and 78% support policies that reduce single-use plastic foam. More than 8 million metric tons of plastic foam is produced globally each year and plastic foam fragments are among the 10 most littered items found across the US. Unfortunately only 1% or less of plastic foam is recycled each year. Additionally production of plastic foam emits incredible amounts of greenhouse gases. You can download the report from the Oceana. =================================================================== Sea State takes a look at:
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| 30. Let’s Recap DEMA Show 2025 | 20 Nov 2025 | 00:13:49 | |
This year the Diving Equipment and Marketing Association (DEMA) Show took place in Orlando, FL at the Orange County Convention Center – November 11 – 14, 2025. The show continues to demonstrate that the dive industry is vibrant, alive and energized. Attendance at the show is back to pre-pandemic levels with a record number of qualified buyers in attendance. Business is getting done at the DEMA Show. Listen for my recap on all of the activities. | |||
| 29. Let’s Dive into Lembeh and the Philippines | 05 Nov 2025 | 00:13:05 | |
We just returned from a three-week trip of scuba diving in Lembeh (Indonesia) and the Philippines. This is an incredible adventure with world-class diving in the heart of the coral triangle. Check out the travel, resorts and diving in this part of the world.
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| 28. Can REUSE be a solution to plastic pollution? | 09 Oct 2025 | 00:12:32 | |
Plastic pollution is yet another critical peril impacting the oceans around the world. To solve this problem it is going to take a concentrated effort to implement solutions that stop the production of more plastic, improve recycling and disposal efforts and implement solutions that allow for reuse of items to replace the single-use plastic items that are so prolific. Recently, Senator Jeff Merkley from Oregon introduced a bill – REUSE Act of 2025. REUSE stands for Research for Environmental Use and Sustainable Economies. The bill authorizes the Environmental Protection Agency to prepare a report on reuse and refill systems. Given the current disfunction with the legislative process, there is little hope that this bill will move forward. We need legislation like the Farewell to Foam Act 2025, or the REUSE Act of 2025 and implementation of the National Strategy to Prevent Plastic Pollution to be set in motion. It might be worth asking those who are asking for your vote where they stand or do they think climate change, and the plastic pollution problem are con jobs. | |||
| 32. Wrapping up 2025 and Plans for the Future | 18 Dec 2025 | 00:14:38 | |
We are only a few days from wrapping up 2025 and while we are making plans for the new year, it is always worth taking a look back at a very busy and productive year. January started with a new administration in the U.S. – stewardship for the planet came under attack. We however continued on with our mission. In January we announced our 2025 Ocean Steward Scholarships for both open water and advanced open water training. In March we headed to the Boston Sea Rovers Show in Danvers, MA. By May it was time to get back in the water with a quick trip to Key Largo for a few days of diving as a tune up for our Dive Pirates trip to Cayman Brac in June. In July, SEA-CT partnered with Scuba Shack and attended the Newington Extravaganza to get our message out to the local community. October saw us heading to the Far East for a three week trip to Indonesia and the Philippines. A week after getting back from the coral triangle, I headed to Orlando for the DEMA Show 2025. We wrapped up the year by sponsoring a Marine Ecosystem and Coral Awareness course in partnership with Scuba Shack and announced our year end Board of Directors Challenge – we will match all donations made in December dollar-for-dollar. Still time to donate. Now it is time to wrap up Scuba Educational Alliance Ocean Podcast. It has been fun and rewarding but now it is time to move on from podcasting. Thanks to all who have listened to the show. Wishing everyone a happy and healthy new year. Goodbye. | |||
| 31. We Don’t Need to Expand Offshore Drilling | 04 Dec 2025 | 00:13:43 | |
The US Department of Interior recently issued an order that significantly looks to expand oil and gas leases in the Gulf of Mexico, and off the coast of Alaska and California. This expansion covers 1.27 billion acres of ocean. Additionally, the Interior Department plans to sell more leases in 80 million acres in the Gulf of Mexico on December 10, 2025. A lawsuit has been filed to stop this sale stating that it violates the National Environmental Protection Act. We need to protect the ocean, and expanding offshore oil and gas production is not going to do that. | |||