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Ocean Protect Podcast
Every fortnight, Brad Dalrymple (Environmental Engineer with Ocean Protect) hosts a variety of guests, including scientists, engineers, and activists – to discuss the key issues affecting the health of our oceans – and what can be done about it.
Latest episode
8. Chelsea Golding on the High Seas Treaty & why ocean governance matters
34:51||Season 8, Ep. 8Chelsea Golding is an emerging ocean policy professional working at the intersection of marine science, climate policy and international governance. In this chat, we dive into the fascinating world of ocean governance - exploring who is responsible for protecting our oceans, what happens beyond national borders, and why international cooperation is so important for ocean health. We discuss Australia's recent ratification of the High Seas Treaty, the challenges of enforcing international agreements, the role of economic penalties in tackling illegal fishing, and the disturbing links between illegal fishing and modern-day slavery at sea. Plus, we discuss what the treaty could mean for offshore activities such as deep-sea mining, the ongoing challenge of plastic pollution, and the lessons ocean governance can offer other global environmental issues, including climate change. It's a fascinating conversation about the systems, collaboration and accountability needed to protect our shared ocean — and a reminder that good science only goes so far if it isn't translated into action.Useful links:Chelsea on LinkedIn (here)UN World Ocean Assessment - Global overview of ocean governance (here):United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030) (here) Agreement on Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ Agreement) (overview)For further information about Ocean Protect, check us out at www.oceanprotect.com.au
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7. Australian Sea Lions: A race against the clock with Dirk Holman
44:02||Season 8, Ep. 7Dirk Holman is a Threatened Species Researcher with Sea Shepherd Australia, working on research, monitoring and conservation efforts for Australia's endemic Australian sea lion. Dirk returns to the Ocean Protect Podcast for his second appearance — this time for a wide-ranging conversation about the growing pressures facing one of Australia's most vulnerable marine mammals. In this chat, we discuss the alarming decline in Australian sea lion populations, the devastating impact of the recent harmful algal bloom, the arrival of H5N1 bird flu in Australia and the potential risks it poses to sea lion colonies.Dirk also shares an update on the innovative pup shelter project, which is providing much-needed shade and protection for pups on islands where natural vegetation has been lost. Plus, we hear about some of the sea lion rescues Dirk and the Sea Shepherd team have undertaken after animals became entangled in fishing and other marine debris, and explore the less visible pressures facing these animals — from pollution and disease to changes in food availability and their broader marine habitat. It's a fascinating look at the science, challenges and hands-on conservation work involved in protecting Australia's sea lions — and why collaboration is becoming increasingly important.Useful links:Sea Shepherd Australia's Sea Lion Defence Campaign (here)Protecting Australian Sea Lions with Dirk Holman — Ocean Protect Podcast, Season 7, Episode 15 (here)Dirk on LinkedIn (here)For further information about Ocean Protect, check us out at www.oceanprotect.com.au
6. Dr Jennifer Lavers on what long-term data shows about population impacts of ocean plastic pollution
47:50||Season 8, Ep. 6Dr Jennifer Lavers is a marine eco-toxicologist, seabird and island conservation expert, and researcher at Adrift Lab - and returns for her second appearance on the Ocean Protect Podcast. In this chat, we delve into recent ground-breaking research on plastic pollution impacts on seabirds at Lord Howe Island - and discuss the findings from over 15 years of data, and what key actions we can take to beat plastic pollution.Useful links:Dr Jennifer Lavers on Linkedin (here)AdriftlabDr Jennifer Lavers on the plastic in seabirds (Ocean Protect Podcast, Season 2, Episode 15, June 2020) (here)AdriftLab article (August 2026) The Birds That Never Came Home: Long-Term Data Reveal Population-Level Impacts of Ocean Plastic Pollution (here)J.L. Lavers, H. Worthington, & A.L. Bond, Ingested plastics reduce recruitment and survival of an Australian seabird, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 123 (34) e2613782123, https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2613782123 (2026). https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2613782123 Lavers, J. L., de Jersey, A. M., Rivers-Auty, J., & Bond, A. L. (2026). Abrupt recent increases in plastic ingestion by Sable Shearwaters (Ardenna carneipes). Earth's Future, 14, e2026EF008572. https://doi.org/10.1029/2026EF008572 Ingrid L. Pollet, William M. Connelly, Michelle L. Feenstra, Alix M. de Jersey, Alexander L. Bond, Jennifer L. Lavers, Jack Rivers-Auty, Plastic ingestion alters stomach anatomy and biomechanics in sable shearwaters (Ardenna carneipes), Journal of Hazardous Materials: Plastics, Volume 5, 2026, 100080, ISSN 3051-0600, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hazmp.2026.100080 For further information about Ocean Protect, check us out at www.oceanprotect.com.au
5. Lottie Dalziel with 365+ Ways to Save the Planet & Your Money at the Same Time
39:33||Season 8, Ep. 5Lottie Dalziel is on a mission to make sustainability simple, accessible, and impactful - returning for her second appearance on the podcast. In this chat, we hear all about BRAD (the Banish Recycling And Disposal Program) and get some insights into her debut book "365+ Ways to Save the Planet and Your Money at the Same Time". Useful links:Lottie on LinkedIn (here)"365+ Ways to Save the Planet and Your Money at the Same Time" (here)BRAD (Banish Recycling And Disposal Program): https://banish.com.au/pages/recycling-programhttps://banish.com.au/For further information about Ocean Protect, check us out at www.oceanprotect.com.au
4. Kal Glanznig on turning the tide on The Plastic Country
39:27||Season 8, Ep. 4Kal Glanznig is a filmmaker, ocean advocate and Sutherland Shire Councillor. In this chat, we discuss Kal's latest film, "The Plastic Country" - a confronting, timely and deeply personal Australian documentary that challenges how we think about plastic, our health, our ocean and the systems that shape the world around us. From remote beaches and stormwater drains to supermarket shelves, scientific laboratories and the halls of Parliament, this powerful documentary asks a difficult question: how did Australia become one of the world’s biggest plastic waste producers per person, and what will it take to turn the tide?Useful links:"The Plastic Country" (here)Kal Glanznig on Linkedin (here)Kal's website (here)Blue Minds (here)"Kal Glanznig on youth, plastics, politics, & Rising Up for a better world" (Ocean Protect Podcast, Season 7, Episode 18) For further information about Ocean Protect, check us out at www.oceanprotect.com.au
3. Dr Amelia Harry on the Plastic Exposure Reduction Transforms Health (PERTH) Trial
42:16||Season 8, Ep. 3Dr Amelia Harry is an experienced Advanced Accredited Practising Dietitian, Accredited Nutritionist, and plastics, diet & human health researcher. In this chat, we discuss the latest publication (in Nature Medicine) that Dr Amelia co-authored on the results of the Plastic Exposure Reduction Transforms Health (PERTH) Trial - which assessed phthalates and bisphenols in humans and what impact a change in diet had. We discuss the methodology, results (it's good news !!) and how you can minimise plastic ingestion in your own life (and why you should).Useful links:Dr Amelia on LinkedIn (here)eatsustainably.com.auJournal paper, Low-plastic diet and urinary levels of plastic-associated phthalates and bisphenols: the randomized controlled PERTH Trial (here)
2. Harry Maher on how much does bioretention cost ?
43:26||Season 8, Ep. 2Harry Maher is a Water Engineer at Optimal Stormwater, with several years experience in the stormwater industry in Australia as both a consultant and with Council. In this chat, we discuss Harry's recent study compiling and assessing "real world" life cycle cost data for bioretention systems in Australia, and how stormwater professionals and asset managers can reduce the costs of bioretention and improve their stormwater treatment function.Useful links:Harry on LinkedIn (here)Report, How much does bioretention cost? A review of life cycle costs for conventional bioretention systems in Australia (here)