Explore every episode of the podcast This is Marine Conservation | ocean science, stories, and solutions to protect our blue planet
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Ocean’s Biggest Win in Decades: The High Seas Treaty, Explained | 30 Jan 2026 | 00:21:40 | |
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 🌊 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!) 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 Conservationist’s toolkit at caseysnook.com/toolkit and start making waves in your career today 🌊 | |||
| What a Summer of Interviewing Recreational Fishers Taught Me About Conservation | 29 Jan 2026 | 00:30:18 | |
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. 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 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 Conservationist’s toolkit at caseysnook.com/toolkit and start making waves in your career today 🌊 | |||
| Why I Started a Marine Conservation Podcast (My Origin Story and Why This Podcast Exists) | 28 Jan 2026 | 00:23:08 | |
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. Episode Show Notes (click for all the links!) 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 Conservationist’s toolkit at caseysnook.com/toolkit and start making waves in your career today 🌊 | |||
| This is Marine Conservation with Casey Snook (Trailer) | 28 Jan 2026 | 00:00:57 | |
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. | |||
| Inside Fishing Gear Recovery & Marine Debris with “Ocean Garbage Fella” Fritz McGirr | 31 Jan 2026 | 00:53:04 | |
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 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 Conservationist’s toolkit at caseysnook.com/toolkit and start making waves in your career today 🌊 | |||
| Better Data, Better Fishing: Inside Rhode Island’s Recreational Fishing Survey with Fisheries Specialist Nate Andrews | 03 Feb 2026 | 00:56:45 | |
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!) 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 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 Conservationist’s toolkit at caseysnook.com/toolkit and start making waves in your career today 🌊 | |||
| 3 Things I’m Learning in Real Time About Building a Career in Marine Conservation | 17 Feb 2026 | 00:27:56 | |
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:
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!) 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 Conservationist’s toolkit at caseysnook.com/toolkit and start making waves in your career today 🌊 | |||
| Turtles, Trash, and Tourism on Gili Trawangan with Siân Williams of the Gili Eco Trust | 26 May 2026 | 01:15:05 | |
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 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 Conservationist’s toolkit at caseysnook.com/toolkit and start making waves in your career today 🌊 | |||
| How to Actually Break Into a Marine Conservation Career with "Conservation Queen" Camille Lasbleiz | 13 May 2026 | 01:08:18 | |
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 Book a 1-on-1 career mentoring call with Camille Join a marine conservation trip with Camille 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 Conservationist’s toolkit at caseysnook.com/toolkit and start making waves in your career today 🌊 | |||
| 5 Reasons You Should Learn to Scuba Dive If You Want to Work in Marine Science & Conservation | 07 Jun 2026 | 00:32:51 | |
Learning to dive was THE thing that jump-started my marine conservation career. But it taught me a lot more than just how to be a mermaid. I gained valuable skills and abilities that have boosted my resume, gotten me jobs, and kept me going in challenging times in my career. I'm here to convince you to get in the water! Learning to dive might be one of the single most transformative things you can do if you want to work in marine science and conservation, not because it's required (although for many roles, it actually is), but because of what happens to you when you finally get under the surface. I'm talking about why "becoming a fish" rewires the way you observe the natural world, how you learn tons without trying every time you get in the water, the field skills that quietly stack up on your resume, and why being underwater might be the single best antidote to burnout in this field. In this episode, I talk about:
EPISODE SHOW NOTES (click for all the links!) 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 Conservationist’s toolkit at caseysnook.com/toolkit and start making waves in your career today 🌊 | |||
| I Had a Terrible Marine Conservation Volunteering Experience. Here's How to Avoid my Mistakes. | 16 Jun 2026 | 00:43:34 | |
Earlier this year, I went to volunteer with a marine conservation organization in the Bali area of Indonesia... and within three days of arriving, I had quit. This episode is the story of what happened, and more importantly, what I learned from it, so you don't have to make the same mistakes I did. This episode is really about something bigger than any one organization. It's about how to vet a volunteering program before you commit your time and money, what red flags to actually take seriously, how to listen to your gut once you're there, and how to walk away when you need to. The marine conservation field needs more volunteers, but it needs you to be safe, supported, and treated with respect. Let's talk about how to make that more likely. In this episode, you'll learn:
Important note: I'm not naming the organization in this episode. I believe everyone trying to do marine conservation work has good intentions, even when execution falls short, and this isn't a podcast about tearing other people down. But if you're considering volunteering with a marine conservation program in the Bali area and you're worried it might be the one I'm describing, please reach out to me privately. DM me on Instagram or send an email, and I'll happily talk it through with you one-on-one. EPISODE SHOW NOTES (click for all the links!) 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 Conservationist’s toolkit at caseysnook.com/toolkit and start making waves in your career today 🌊 | |||
| Sustainable Seafood 101: 4 Simple Tips to Make Better Choices at the Seafood Counter | 30 Jun 2026 | 00:30:04 | |
Sustainable seafood sounds simple... until you're standing at the counter, staring at five kinds of white fish with zero idea what to buy. In this episode, I'm breaking down five low-effort, high-impact tips for making better seafood choices, no marine science degree required! In this episode, we chat about why eating local matters, what eating low on the food chain actually means, which eco-labels are worth trusting (and which to take with a grain of salt), why ocean plants deserve a spot on your plate, and one easy swap you can make as soon as this week. These changes are small, but they compound. You don't have to overhaul your whole diet to make a difference. By the end, you'll have at least one concrete habit to bring to the seafood counter next time you shop. EPISODE SHOW NOTES (click for all the links!) 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 Conservationist’s toolkit at caseysnook.com/toolkit and start making waves in your career today 🌊 | |||
| Meet the Special "Flonduran" Corals Thriving Against All Odds — and the Woman Championing Them, Juli Berwald | 22 Jun 2026 | 01:07:00 | |
What would you say if someone told you there was a thriving coral reef in a bay full of industrial pollution, sediment runoff, and unusually warm water — and that it had been there for many years? You'd probably say that's impossible. Juli Berwald said the same thing, and then she got on a plane to Honduras to see it for herself. Juli is an ocean scientist, award-winning author of Spineless and Life on the Rocks, and founder of the nonprofit Tela Coral. In this episode, we get into the mystery behind Tela Bay's improbable elkhorn coral population, the "Flonduran" coral hybrids that are making waves in Florida reef restoration, what it actually takes to build a biobank from scratch in a foreign country, and how a violinist helped raise $86,000 for coral conservation through the power of live music. We also talk about science writing — how Juli went from textbooks to National Geographic, why she writes memoir into her science books, and what she'd tell anyone who wants to do what she does. This one genuinely made me want to book a flight to Honduras. I think you'll feel the same way. EPISODE SHOW NOTES (click for all the links!) Juli's website: JuliBerwald.com Follow Juli: @JuliBerwald Juli's nonprofit, Tela Coral: TelaCoral.org Follow Tela Coral: @TelaCoral Preorder Juli's newest book!! The Shell Seeker: Encounters with 30 Seashells comes out July 7, 2026 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 Conservationist’s toolkit at caseysnook.com/toolkit and start making waves in your career today 🌊 | |||