REEF Roundup: 🪸Coral Reefs🐠 and 🐙Marine Conservation🦈

• Virgil Zetterlind of Protected Seas: Mapping Ocean Protections and Closing the Enforcement Gap | S4E4

  In this episode, we sit down with Virgil Zetterlind, Director of Protected Seas, to discuss the critical difference between declaring a Marine Protected Area (MPA) and it actually leading to the intended positive outcomes we hope to achieve. It's a more complex topic than we often cover, but incredibly important. So grab a cup of coffee, perhaps a notepad, and a comfortable seat before you dive in.While global targets like 30x30 and the High Seas Treaty dominate the headlines, the reality on the ocean is that much of it is often a Wild West of overlapping regulations and limited visibility. Virgil walks us through how Protected Seas is solving this knowlege and data gap by mapping the global regulatory landscape with their Navigator tool and deploying autonomous radar systems (M2) to monitor compliance in real-time.In this episode, you’ll hear about:Visualizing the Invisible – How the Navigator tool standardizes complex, layered legal texts into a "Level of Fishing Protection" score, allowing users to see exactly what activities are allowed in any patch of ocean.Closing the Enforcement Gap – The transition from "paper parks", areas that are protected by law, but not in reality, to protected waters using M2 (Marine Monitor), a non-cooperative radar technology that tracks near-shore vessel movement without relying on AIS signals.The Economics of Protection – Data from Mexico and beyond proving that scuba divers are willing to pay a premium to visit fully protected areas, making a clear economic case for strict no-take zones.Data Over Intuition – A case study from California where radar data disproved the assumption that poaching happens at night, revealing that most illegal fishing occurred in broad daylight which shifted enforcement strategies.High Seas & 30x30 – The logistical challenges of implementing the new High Seas Treaty and the difficulty of tracking "Other Effective Conservation Measures" (OECMs) without standardized metrics.Protected SeasProtected Seas is a team of data scientists, mariners, and conservationists dedicated to bridging the gap between ocean policy and reality. Their open-access tools, including the Navigator map and M2 radar systems, empower governments, NGOs, and ocean users to understand regulations and improve compliance.Website: https://protectedseas.netNavigator Map: https://map.navigatemap.orgM2 Marine Monitor: https://m2marinemonitor.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/protected-seasMentioned Organizations & ToolsMapping & Navigation AppsSavvy Navvy (Boating App)Website: https://www.savvy-navvy.comDeckee (Boating Safety App)Website: https://deckee.comGoogle EarthWebsite: https://earth.google.comGoogle MapsWebsite: https://maps.google.comConservation Technology & EnforcementGlobal Fishing WatchWebsite: https://globalfishingwatch.orgSkylight (Maritime Intelligence)Website: https://www.skylight.globalEarthRanger (Protected Area Management - Note: Referred to as "Earth Rangers" in transcript)Website: https://www.earthranger.comConserve.ioWebsite: https://conserve.ioWhale AlertWebsite: https://www.whalealert.orgFuruno (Marine Radar Hardware)Website: https://www.furuno.comConservation NGOs & GovernmentWildAidWebsite: https://wildaid.orgInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/wildaidGlobal ConservationWebsite: https://globalconservation.orgInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/globalconservationNOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration)Website: https://www.noaa.govInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/noaaDave Wiley (Research Coordinator, Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary)Profile: https://stellwagen.noaa.gov/science/dave-wiley.htmlREEF Roundup & REEF ScubaREEF Roundup – Marine conservation podcast (this show)Website: https://www.reefroundup.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/reefroundupREEF Scuba – Nonprofit behind REEF RoundupWebsite: https://www.reefscuba.org

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• Tré Packard of PangeaSeed: Using Art to Make Marine Conservation Visible | S4E3

  In this episode, we sit down with Tré Packard, founder and Executive Director of PangeaSeed Foundation, to explore how public art can turn abstract ocean science into something people can see, feel, and act on. From shark fin markets in Asia to large-scale mural festivals and fine art print releases, Tré walks through how PangeaSeed built a global model that funds conservation work, supports artists, and brings the ocean into city streets. In this episode, you’ll hear about:Art as a gateway to empathy – why emotional connection is as important as scientific literacy for driving change, especially for people who will never put on a mask or scuba tank. The origin of Sea Walls – how the uncovering of the largest shark finning operation in the world and a mural in a Sri Lanka sparked the idea of using large-scale public art as a democratic, free platform for ocean stories. Printed Oceans and the “business of conservation” – how limited-edition fine art prints create a circular economy that funds programs, supports artists, and brings conservation narratives into homes, schools, and workplaces. Cross-sector collaborations – examples of working with dive agencies, city governments, brands, and international institutions to align communications, funding, and science around local ocean threats. Longevity and resilience in ocean advocacy – lessons from 15+ years in the field, including burnout, hope, and how to keep going when the problems are heavy and long-term. PangeaSeed Foundation is a nonprofit working at the intersection of art, science, and education to advance ocean conservation. Through programs like Sea Walls: Artists for Oceans, Printed Oceans, and their Impact and Commissioned Programs, PangeaSeed connects scientists and communities with a global network of artists to turn complex marine issues into accessible visual stories. Their work addresses priority ocean challenges such as overfishing, plastic pollution, and climate impacts worldwide. PangeaSeed FoundationWebsite: https://www.pangeaseed.org Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pangeaseed Sea Walls: Artists for Oceans (PangeaSeed public art program)Website: https://www.seawalls.org Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/seawallsPrinted Oceans (fine art print program)Program page: https://pangeaseed.org/printed-oceans/ Tré Packard – Photography PortfolioInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/abovebelowphoto/ Other Mentioned OrganizationsProtect BlueProtect BlueWebsite: https://protect.blue Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/protect.blue Application / program pagesUndercurrent (program page with application): https://protect.blue/undercurrent Blue Campus (community & program hub): https://protect.blue/campus PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors)Website: https://www.padi.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/paditv United Nations & UN Ocean ConferenceUN Ocean Conference (information page): https://www.un.org/en/conferences/ocean2025 United Nations – main organizationWebsite: https://www.un.org Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unitednations Influencer DatabaseIUCN – International Union for Conservation of NatureWebsite: https://www.iucn.org Instagram (IUCN Congress): https://www.instagram.com/iucn_congressREEF Roundup & REEF ScubaREEF Roundup – Marine conservation podcast (this show)Website: ⁠https://reef-roundup.com⁠ ⁠Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/reefroundup⁠ REEF Scuba – Nonprofit behind REEF RoundupWebsite: ⁠https://www.reef-scuba.org⁠ ⁠

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• Dr. Jamie Craggs: Scientific Breakthroughs in Coral Spawning to Supercharge Reef Restoration | S4E2

  In this episode of REEF Roundup we sit down with world renowned Dr. Jamie Craggs to learn about the fascinating topic of coral reproduction and how controlled coral spawning is increasingly becoming a go-to restoration tool. Jamie walks through the progression from his groundbreaking work at the Horniman Museum & Gardens — Project Coral to wider collaborations with Coral Spawning International, SECORE International, Tropical Marine Centre (BioCSL), and his work as Senior Marine Science Officer at MARS Sustainable Solutions — Building Coral. We also discuss a field project documented with Canon and Nature Seychelles, connecting science and public storytelling.Explore & follow the organizations mentioned:Horniman Museum & Gardens — Project Coral — Website: https://www.horniman.ac.uk/project/project-coral/ • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hornimanmuseumgardens/Coral Spawning International — Website: https://www.coralspawninginternational.com/SECORE International — Website: https://www.secore.org • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/secore.international/Tropical Marine Centre (BioCSL) — Website: https://tropicalmarinecentre.com • BioCSL: https://tropicalmarinecentre.com/uk/sector-bio-csl-coral-spawning-labs • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tropicalmarinecentre/MARS Sustainable Solutions — Building Coral — Website: https://www.buildingcoral.com Canon (World Unseen: Coral Matchmaking) — Feature: https://www.canon-europe.com/view/world-unseen-coral-matchmaking-episode-1/ Nature Seychelles — Website: https://natureseychelles.org • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/naturesey/Learn more about the show and follow us at REEF Roundup — https://reef-roundup.com • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reefroundup/

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• Rose Huizenga: Creating a New Generation of Coral Superwomen | S4E1

  In this episode, we’re honored to feature Rose Huizenga, founder of Coral Catch and co-founder of Gili Shark Conservation. Originally from the Netherlands, Rose has spent the past decade on Gili Air, Indonesia, transforming a dream to restore her island’s reefs into a powerful movement for ocean conservation and women’s empowerment.Through Coral Catch, Rose has built a sisterhood of local women—known as the Coral Catch Superwomen—who are trained as certified divers, reef restoration experts, and community leaders. These women are not only reviving reefs across Indonesia but also sparking ripple effects of change in their communities, proving that empowering women is a catalyst for stronger ecosystems and societies.For Rose, this mission is deeply personal. Every time she takes her daughters into the ocean, she’s reminded why she began: so the next generation can inherit a living, thriving ocean. Her vision is bold yet tangible—to empower 100 women to pursue conservation careers and 100 more to learn how to swim, ensuring a brighter future for both people and reefs.If you’re looking for a powerful story of how one person’s dream can ignite lasting change, this episode is a must-listen. Follow the journeys of the Coral Catch Superwomen on Instagram @coralcatch, and support their work at coralcatch.org/donate.

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• Rebecca Daniel of The Marine Diaries: Navigating Ocean Advocacy | S3E7

  In this episode we are featuring Rebecca Daniel @rebecca_saltysea, the visionary Director of @themarinediaries. Rebecca’s journey from a young ocean enthusiast to a leading marine conservationist storyteller is nothing short of extraordinary. We'll explore how The Marine Diaries is making waves in ocean conservation, from educating the public on marine ecosystems to launching powerful campaigns and creating an ocean community through events and experiences. Discover their visually stunning short films on YouTube, such as "The Big Blue", which takes you deep into the heart of the ocean, and get a taste of adventure with their annual "Great African Seaforest Adventure", showcasing the wonders of Cape Town’s underwater world. Whether you’re passionate about marine science, eager to learn how you can help protect our ocean, or simply love a good story, this episode is packed with insights that will leave you inspired and ready to take action! Make sure to visit The Marine Diaries at www.themarinediaries.com and follow them on Instagram @themarinediaries to stay updated on their latest initiatives.

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