Lauren Blickley: Ocean Plastics Scientist and Policy Activist
Podcast Episode #63
Lauren is a Marine Scientist based on Maui, creating waves of change when it comes to single-use plastic pollution. She is at the forefront of ocean plastics research on Maui, and also plays a vital role in advocating for regulations on plastic materials like polystyrene (styrofoam). She is an all around ocean-lover creating positive change for the ocean through science, policy, and education!
Follow along with Lauren’s research and activism on Instagram @oneswelllife, and visit her website swellinitiative.org to learn more.
Dr. Andrea Marshall: The Queen of Mantas
Podcast Episode #62
Andrea is the co-founder of Marine Megafauna Foundation, studying manta ray populations worldwide in order to protect and conserve these ocean giants. She was the first person to ever study manta rays for her PhD, discovered an entirely new species of manta, created a manta ray photo database encouraging citizen science, and has been highly influential in getting the need for manta conservation recognized globally. She is truly the Queen of Mantas!
Follow Andrea on Instagram, visit Marine Megafauna Foundation’s website to learn more about her work, visit Ray of Hope Expedition’s website to join her on expedition, and contribute manta ID photos to Manta Matcher.
This Ocean Allison Podcast episode is brought to you by Kraken Sports, high quality scuba diving photo and video equipment. Visit www.krakensports.ca to learn more.
Martina De Marcos: Plastic Pollution Educator on Tour
Podcast Episode #61
Martina is a marine scientist currently traveling from Tijuana to Patagonia on an 8 month tour educating as many people as possible on the issues and solutions to plastic pollution. At the same time she is earning her masters degree in environmental management with a focus on waste management strategies in remote coastal areas. In this episode we talk about her childhood in Argentina, her experience working in Panama with the United Nations Environment Program to ban single-use plastic bags, and her optimistic outlook on the future of how we interact with plastics.
Follow Martina on Facebook and Instagram to follow her journey and check out her Indigogo campaign if you want to support her efforts.
Francesca Page: Conservation Artist
Podcast Episode #60
Francesca is a London-based artist using her incredible paintings to communicate science and conservation topics to the world, most recently highlighting the beauty and importance of sharks in response to the global decline of shark populations. In this episode we discuss how her experiences as a scuba diver and her connection to the natural word have inspired her art to focus on painting ocean animals to start important conversations and how along the way she’s even been inspired to make lifestyle changes including eating a vegan diet.
Visit Francesca’s website to see her conservation-inspired art, check out her Etsy shop, and follow her on Instagram!
Alex Martinez: Ocean Allison Podcast Listener
Podcast Episode #59
Alex, just like all of you, is an Ocean Allison Podcast listener, now on his way to becoming a Marine Biologist. After listening to almost every episode while on deployments with the Navy, Alex was inspired to make a career change and pursue his interest in ocean science and conservation.
After listening to Alex’s inspiring story, you can follow him on Instagram @alex_oceans to learn more. Big thank you to all you ocean-loving listeners out there, your stories inspire me greatly!
