This is Marine Conservation | ocean science, stories, and solutions to protect our blue planet – Details, episodes & analysis

What is the High Seas Treaty, and why is it being called one of the biggest ocean conservation wins in decades? In this beginner-friendly episode of This Is Marine Conservation, I break down the High Seas Treaty (also known as the UN agreement on biodiversity beyond national jurisdiction) and explain what it means for the future of the ocean.

You’ll learn what the high seas are, why they’ve been so difficult to protect, how this treaty makes large-scale marine protected areas possible, and why protecting the high seas matters to everyone, even if you live far from the coast. I also explain what treaty ratification means, when the agreement became legally binding, what happens next, and how you can take action to support high seas protection.

Looking to break into the world of marine conservation, but don’t know where to start? I’ve got you! Download my free resource, the Aspiring Marine Conservationists toolkit, by clicking here and start making waves in your career today 🌊

Episode Show Notes

Learn more about the United Nations BBNJ Agreement

Send a message to your country's government urging them to ratify the High Seas Treaty (takes literally 2 minutes!)

Podcast website

Casey's Instagram - @caseysnook_

Podcast Instagram - @thisismarineconservation

Say hello! Contact Casey here.

SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW

If you loved this episode, it’d mean the world if you took a moment to subscribe and leave a review and/or rating wherever you’re listening! Your support helps this podcast reach more ocean lovers and aspiring marine conservationists just like you. Thank you! 

Looking to break into the world of marine conservation, but don’t know where to start? I’ve got you! Download my free resource, the Aspiring Marine Conservationists toolkit, by clicking here and start making waves in your career today 🌊

What does conservation actually look like in everyday life — beyond policies, protests, and headlines?

In this episode, I’m sharing what I learned during a summer working in the field interviewing recreational saltwater fishers in Rhode Island. What began as a straightforward data collection job with the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management quickly turned into an unexpected masterclass in conservation, stewardship, and the power of paying attention.

I talk about how recreational fishers often act as unofficial data collectors, why people protect the places they feel connected to, and how conservation values are passed down through stories, habits, and generations. I also explore why stewardship is often quiet and habitual, and how joy, routine, and emotional connection to nature can be some of the most powerful drivers of conservation action.

Whether you’re a fisher, diver, beachgoer, or simply someone who loves the natural world, this episode is an invitation to rethink what conservation really looks like, and why noticing, connecting, and finding joy in nature might be where it truly begins.

Looking to break into the world of marine conservation, but don’t know where to start? I’ve got you! Download my free resource, the Aspiring Marine Conservationists toolkit, by clicking here and start making waves in your career today 🌊

Episode Show Notes (click here for all the links!)

Learn more about the RI APAIS program - https://dem.ri.gov/natural-resources-bureau/marine-fisheries/recreational-saltwater-fishing/apais-program

Podcast website

Casey's Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/caseysnook_/ 

Podcast Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/thisismarineconservation/

Say hello! Contact Casey here.

SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW

If you loved this episode, it’d mean the world if you took a moment to subscribe and leave a review and/or rating wherever you’re listening! Your support helps this podcast reach more ocean lovers and aspiring marine conservationists just like you. Thank you! 

Looking to break into the world of marine conservation, but don’t know where to start? I’ve got you! Download my free resource, the Aspiring Marine Conservationists toolkit, by clicking here and start making waves in your career today 🌊

This Is Marine Conservation is a podcast for anyone who loves the ocean and wants to protect it—without feeling overwhelmed or hopeless.

Hosted by marine conservationist and field scientist Casey Snook, this show explores the science, stories, and solutions behind protecting our oceans. Through solo episodes and conversations with experts, you’ll learn how marine conservation really works, what careers in ocean science look like, and how everyday people can take meaningful action for a healthier planet.

Whether you’re a marine professional, a student, or simply someone who cares deeply about the sea, this podcast is here to educate, inspire optimism, and build a community committed to ocean conservation. Because protecting the ocean starts with understanding it.

Looking to break into the world of marine conservation, but don’t know where to start? I’ve got you! Download my free resource, the Aspiring Marine Conservationists toolkit, by clicking here and start making waves in your career today 🌊

Episode Show Notes (click for all the links!)

Podcast website

Casey's Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/caseysnook_/ 

Podcast Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/thisismarineconservation/

Say hello! Contact Casey here.

SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW

If you loved this episode, it’d mean the world if you took a moment to subscribe and leave a review and/or rating wherever you’re listening! Your support helps this podcast reach more ocean lovers and aspiring marine conservationists just like you. Thank you! 

Looking to break into the world of marine conservation, but don’t know where to start? I’ve got you! Download my free resource, the Aspiring Marine Conservationists toolkit, by clicking here and start making waves in your career today 🌊

Welcome to This Is Marine Conservation, the podcast dedicated to ocean protection, marine science, and the stories that bring our blue planet to life. I'm your host, Casey Snook—a marine scientist, environmental optimist, and lifelong ocean nerd.

This podcast is your go-to space for marine conservation, ocean discovery, marine biology, science communication, activism, and plenty of salty adventure. Here, you’ll learn real, practical ways to help the ocean no matter where you live. My guests and I explore the science, stories, and solutions shaping the future of our seas, making big topics feel accessible, inspiring, and actionable for everyone.

Whether you're a current or aspiring marine professional, a scuba diver, a student, or simply someone who loves the big blue and wants to make a difference, you’ll discover how to support a healthier, more vibrant ocean one episode at a time.

The ocean needs you, and this is where your impact starts.

What happens to fishing gear when it’s lost at sea? And how does it impact whales, fisheries, and our oceans?

In this episode, I’m joined by Fritz McGirr, a former touring percussionist turned marine biologist and self-proclaimed “ocean garbage fella.” Fritz works with the Center for Coastal Studies in Provincetown, Massachusetts, where he helps recover ghost gear (ALDFG: Abandoned, Lost, or Otherwise Discarded Fishing Gear).

We talk about how derelict gear is located (from fisherman intel to sonar and grappling grids), what researchers record when gear is pulled up, how this work connects to North Atlantic right whale protection, and why “recycling” isn’t as simple as we’ve been told. Fritz also shares small, realistic ways to reduce plastic—and a hopeful ocean win tied to Boston Harbor.

Looking to break into the world of marine conservation, but don’t know where to start? I’ve got you! Download my free resource, the Aspiring Marine Conservationists toolkit, by clicking here and start making waves in your career today 🌊

Episode Show Notes (click for all the links!)

Fritz's Instagram - @FritzMcGirr

Check out the Center for Coastal Studies and its Marine Debris and Plastics Program

Learn to freedive with Fritz at East Coast Divers

Podcast website

Casey's Instagram - @caseysnook_

Podcast Instagram - @thisismarineconservation

Say hello! Contact Casey here.

SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW

If you loved this episode, it’d mean the world if you took a moment to subscribe and leave a review and/or rating wherever you’re listening! Your support helps this podcast reach more ocean lovers and aspiring marine conservationists just like you. Thank you! 

Looking to break into the world of marine conservation, but don’t know where to start? I’ve got you! Download my free resource, the Aspiring Marine Conservationists toolkit, by clicking here and start making waves in your career today 🌊

In this episode, I sit down with Nate Andrews, my boss and mentor at the RI DEM Division of Marine Fisheries. We chat about his original inspiration to be a scientist and the career path that led him to DEM.

Nate now works on the Access Point Angler Intercept Survey (APAIS), a program that studies recreational fishers and uses data to make important management decisions. We chat about how data collected from everyday anglers feeds into NOAA’s Marine Recreational Information Program (MRIP), and why accurate catch and effort data is essential for sustainable fishing. Nate explains complex concepts like catch per unit effort in a way that actually makes sense, and shows how small data points can influence big management decisions.

Our conversation also dives into fish identification, stewardship, and the human side of fisheries science. Nate shares his personal passion for the ocean, what it’s like working directly with fishing communities, and why participation and trust are just as important as numbers and statistics when it comes to protecting the ocean.

Whether you’re an angler, a science nerd, or someone who simply loves the ocean, this episode will give you a whole new appreciation for the data behind every cast— and how better data truly leads to better fishing.

Episode Show Notes (click for all the links!)

Learn more about APAIS

Apply to work with us on the APAIS Program!

Learn more about the Division of Marine Fisheries and the RI Marine Fisheries Council

Check out Nate's fish print art

Podcast website

Casey's Instagram - @caseysnook_

Podcast Instagram - @thisismarineconservation

Say hello! Contact Casey here.

SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW

If you loved this episode, it’d mean the world if you took a moment to subscribe and leave a review and/or rating wherever you’re listening! Your support helps this podcast reach more ocean lovers and aspiring marine conservationists just like you. Thank you! 

Looking to break into the world of marine conservation, but don’t know where to start? I’ve got you! Download my free resource, the Aspiring Marine Conservationists toolkit, by clicking here and start making waves in your career today 🌊

If you’ve ever dreamed of working in marine conservation or becoming a marine scientist, especially in hands-on, field-based roles, this episode is for you.

In this honest and unfiltered solo episode, I’m sharing three things I’m learning in real time about building a career in marine science. This isn’t advice from someone who has “made it.” It’s perspective from someone in the messy middle: balancing seasonal field work, bartending shifts, continuing education, networking attempts, and ocean-sized dreams.

Together we'll chat about:

• Why you probably won’t find your dream marine conservation job on Indeed
• Why passion alone doesn’t pay the bills (but still matters deeply)
• Why non-linear, zigzag career paths are actually the norm in this field

This isn’t polished advice. This is my lived experience.

If you're navigating the scrappy season of marine conservation, trust me, you've got this. This one is for you.

Looking to break into the world of marine conservation, but don’t know where to start? I’ve got you! Download my free resource, the Aspiring Marine Conservationists toolkit, by clicking here and start making waves in your career today 🌊

Episode Show Notes (click for all the links!)

Podcast website

Casey's Instagram - @caseysnook_

Podcast Instagram - @thisismarineconservation

Say hello! Contact Casey here.

SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW

If you loved this episode, it’d mean the world if you took a moment to subscribe and leave a review and/or rating wherever you’re listening! Your support helps this podcast reach more ocean lovers and aspiring marine conservationists just like you. Thank you! 

Looking to break into the world of marine conservation, but don’t know where to start? I’ve got you! Download my free resource, the Aspiring Marine Conservationists toolkit, by clicking here and start making waves in your career today 🌊

What does it actually look like to build a conservation life on a tiny tropical island?

Siân Williams came to Gili Trawangan for six weeks in 2012, and thirteen years later, she's built an amazing career at the Gili Eco Trust. 

From running coral propagation projects using natural micro-fragmentation, leading Proyek Penyu (the only all-female turtle ranger team in Indonesia), and hosting Debris Free Friday, a weekly beach clean that's been going for over a decade... Siân is a powerhouse.

In this episode, we talk about:

- the dark side of paradise tourism

- why head-starting baby turtles in tanks usually fails

- the realities of conservation salaries and side hustles

- how the little island handles waste (hint: it's a growing landfill 5 minutes from the sea)

- what's giving Siân hope in this challenging day and age

- and so much more 🌊

EPISODE SHOW NOTES (click for all the links!)

Follow Siân on Instagram - @siangilieco

Gili Eco Trust - visit their website and follow on Instagram

Debris Free Friday - Every Friday at 5 pm on Gili Trawangan! Follow them on Instagram for the announcement of beach clean locations each week. 

Proyek Penyu - Learn all about turtle conservation efforts here

Podcast website

Casey's Instagram - @caseysnook_

Podcast Instagram - @thisismarineconservation

Say hello! Contact Casey here.

SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW

If you loved this episode, it’d mean the world if you took a moment to subscribe and leave a review and/or rating wherever you’re listening! Your support helps this podcast reach more ocean lovers and aspiring marine conservationists just like you. Thank you!

Looking to break into the world of marine conservation, but don’t know where to start? I’ve got you! Download my free resource, the Aspiring Marine Conservationists toolkit, by clicking here and start making waves in your career today 🌊

What does it actually look like to build a career in marine conservation? In this episode, I sit down with Camille Lasbleiz (aka the Conservation Queen) on Gili Air, Indonesia, after we randomly realized on Instagram that we were two islands away from each other. (The universe really does deliver.)

Camille's story is so good. She went from wanting to be a dolphin trainer as a kid, to working with primates in the jungle, to a five-month "visa run" in Panama that turned her into a divemaster, to working as a snorkel guide in the Maldives. Now she's running 1:1 career mentoring calls and leading coral restoration trips in Indonesia. How's that for a cool and crazy career path?!

We get into: 

- how to actually break into marine conservation (without a marine biology PhD)

- why "be realistic" is the worst advice anyone ever gave us 

-how non-science backgrounds can be a superpower in this field

- why community-led conservation is the model

- what's giving us hope for the ocean right now

...and so much more.

If you've ever felt called to ocean work but had no idea where to start, this one's for you.

EPISODE SHOW NOTES (click for all the links!)

Camille's Instagram - @camille.lasbleiz

Check out Camille's website

Book a 1-on-1 career mentoring call with Camille

Join a marine conservation trip with Camille

Podcast website

Casey's Instagram - @caseysnook_

Podcast Instagram - @thisismarineconservation

Say hello! Contact Casey here.

SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW

If you loved this episode, it’d mean the world if you took a moment to subscribe and leave a review and/or rating wherever you’re listening! Your support helps this podcast reach more ocean lovers and aspiring marine conservationists just like you. Thank you! 

Looking to break into the world of marine conservation, but don’t know where to start? I’ve got you! Download my free resource, the Aspiring Marine Conservationists toolkit, by clicking here and start making waves in your career today 🌊