Ocean Currents Radio Program

Show host Jennifer Stock provides a brief update about Ocean Currents program on pause due to COVID.

While solutions and efforts to reduce carbon emissions continue to build and expand, they are primarily land based. Guest Mansi Konar of the World Resource Institute shares how the High Level Panel for a Sustainable Ocean Economy analyzed ocean based solutions to contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and reducing the "emissions gap" while at the same time providing co-benefits for sustainable development goals.

1st half of show: Dr. Jarrod Santora of NOAA of the Southwest Fisheries Science Center talks about the cascading effects of a marine heatwave on whale prey, whale feeding, Dungeness crab season and whale entanglements and discusses new tools and collaborations to proactively address future marine heatwaves to minimize negative impacts to species. On the 2nd half of the show Dr. Melinda Connors, a conservation ecologist at SUNY Stony Brook discusses the amazing information bio loggers placed on albatrosses can tell us about not only their lives, but about activities on the high seas. Could they be defacto law enforcement on the high seas?

Recorded live from the E/V Nautilus, hear from marine scientists/explorers while at sea on an exploration mission of Cordell Bank and Greater Farallones national marine sanctuaries. What were they studying? finding?

January in Point Reyes means elephant seals are on the beaches in Point Reyes. Marine mammals that spend months away from shore and sometimes in our local CA national marine sanctuaries, but as far away as Russia and Hawaii make their way back annually to pup and breed. Dr. Sarah Allen shares some updates and new science about these amazing deep divers.

Two part show, 1st half, Dr. Steven Haddock of MBARI talks about the mysterious and alien world of jellies, specifically "By the Wind Sailors" that wash ashore in mass in spring time on the west coast. 2nd half of the show, Geoff Shester of Oceana talks about protecting forage fish (sardines) in CA and whats happening with conservation and management of these commercially valuable but ocean food web valuable species.

Recycling and reducing waste is a significant way to reduce the threat of marine debris and reduce carbon dioxide emissions that contribute to a warming planet.

With an unprecedented loss of kelp coverage on the Marin/Sonoma coast, the State Fish and Wildlife and Greater Farallones National Marine Sanctuary worked with experts to create a plan to understand the issue more and look to ways to protect and restore this vital habitat to the best of our abilities.

Lets hear it for Sex! Its the one thing that needs to happen to sustain our ocean and Dr. Marah J Hardt tells us some wild tales from beneath the waves. Deep sea worms, argonauts and more! (biological terms, but clean language!)

The Honorable Dr. Jane Lubchenco gave a lecture titled Hope for People and the Ocean at the SF State Estuary and Ocean Science Center in November, 2018. Listen in to hear about how policies have worked to bring overfished fisheries back and how new collaborations bring natural and social scientists together to focus on problems facing the ocean. Positively Ocean at the end focuses on how elephant seals have rebounded and how the Point Reyes National Seashore is working to protect them and humans from their presence on beaches.

Guests: Dr. Denise Hardesty of Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO) and Lisa Kaas Boyle Learn about the latest research about the accumulating marine debris problem in our global ocean. Do open ocean cleanup efforts effectively address the issue? On the second half of the show, learn about the new Straw law in California.

Part one: Dr. Craig Downs of the Haereticus Environmental Laboratory talks about the devastating findings about coral reef loss and the contribution of sunscreen chemicals to that loss, find out what these chemicals are and how to avoid them when protecting yourself from the sun. Part two: Marin/Sonoma beaches are among the finest in the world with beauty, ruggedness and biological diversity! Dr. Karina Nielsen of the Estuary and Ocean Science Center at SF State University shares her knowledge about what most of us don't notice on beaches.

Hear highlights from the 2018 Slowfish conference hosted by SlowFood San Francisco, bringing fishermen, buyers and chefs together to move towards "good, clean and fair fish" practices. On the 2nd half of the show hear about an amazing journey down the CA Coastal Trail with three UCSB Bren School of Environmental Science and Management graduates who took up the cause of raising awareness about the CA Coastal Trail and identifying whats needed to complete it by hiking the entire thing!

Meet a few of the Heirs to our Oceans who are a rising tide of young leaders who are taking on ocean conservation through education and activism.

Terry Sawyer, co-owner of Hog Island Oyster Company, board foundation member of the Tomales Bay Watershed Council and elected board member to the Marin Resource Conservation District talks about what projects are happening to address the health of Tomales Bay. As a stakeholder and oyster farmer, the health of the bay is of utmost importance, learn about upstream conservation actions and downstream monitoring activity that are helping all stakeholders learn more about this incredible body of water that is stewarded by NOAA/Greater Farallones National Marine Sanctuary, Point Reyes National Seashore, CA State Parks and others.

Harbor porpoise disappeared from San Francisco Bay in the 1960's and 70's and in recent years have returned heartily. Biologist Bill Keener from the Golden Gate Cetacean Society talks about their return and filmmakers Jim Sugar and Jessica Sison talk about the film The Return of the Harbor Porpoise to San Francisco Bay, a award winning film that documents the history and good news story of the return of the porpoises to the once periled waters of the bay.

Hear some salty stories about sea foraging/fishing on the Northern CA coast as written about by expert sea forager/educator/fish monger Kirk Lombard.

Guest Dr. Aurora Torres of the German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research talks about the growing crisis of sand mining. Overexploitation of global supplies of sand is damaging the environment, endangering communities, causing shortages and promoting violent conflict. Learn how an international team is looking at this issue through a systems integration approach.

Guest Cyndi Dawson a lead policy advisor on the Marine Protected Area Network in CA to the CA Ocean Protection Council, part of the CA Natural Resources Agency talks about the status of the entire state network of MPA’s, what baseline monitoring, education/outreach, enforcement and ongoing community partnerships are doing to help better manage and plan for the best possible outcomes for improving biomass in and outside of MPAs.

Author Marah J. Hardt shares stories from her book Sex in the Sea: Our Intimate Connection with Sex- Changing Fish, Romantic Lobsters, Kinky Squid, and Other Salty Erotica of the Deep (book title)

Ecologists from Oikonos Ecosystem Knowledge partnered with a mix of collaborators including ceramacists to help breeding seabirds that were losing habitat to erosion. On the 2nd half of the show, learn about how the California Academy of Sciences is mobilizing coastal visitors to "bioblitz" and share observations with photographs and I naturalist to track changing species ranges.

"If it smells like food, and looks like food, it must be food right?" New research highlights how plastics may take on the smells of typical food that seabirds like to eat. Learn more about this recent research with marine ecologist and UC Davis graduate Dr. Matt Savoca.

Learn about a new method for ocean farming designed to restore ocean ecosystems, mitigate climate change, and create blue-green jobs for fisherman. Bren Smith of Greenware shares how he left the field of commercial fishing to look for a sustainable model to continue to put food on people's plates.

The Pacific Fisheries Management Council instituted Rockfish Conservation Areas in 2002 in response to several species of valuable rockfish being designated "overfished." Learn about what they are, and what has changed in 14 years since the closure went into effect and what the future may hold for these long lived and tasty fish.

Krill are a keystone species, many animals in the food web depend on the success of this critical prey item. Jeff Dorman of the Farallon Institute talks what research and modeling tells us about the dynamics of krill. Some natural history, some research and regional conservation initiatives are discussed.

While efforts move forward to figure out ways to reduce global greenhouse gases and carbon emissions, efforts are also moving forward to figure out ways to sequester carbon. All along we've known marshes and coastal wetlands were good for habitat and fisheries and storm buffering and carbon storage, but the amount these blue/green edges can pull carbon out of the atmosphere, store it and provide a multitude of ecosystem services is a win win for the environment. Learn about how agencies and organizations are working to advance restoration of wetlands through local and national efforts.

California Seamount Coalition director, Samantha Murray shares the latest campaign to add protections to significant seafloor features off the California coast. Also, in later August the E/V Nautilus will be exploring in the Greater Farallones NMS deploying its deep sea ROV's in deep sea coral habitats and shipwreck regions. Learn how everyone can explore real time via telepresence. Also learn about some coastal maritime archeology efforts happening along the Sonoma coast at Fort Ross Historic Park.

A short update from Greater Farallones NMS about the current scoping period regarding Coast Guard discharge exemptions from sanctuary regulations. Also an update on whale entanglements and harbor seal pupping season.

A new proposal was initiated to protect seamounts and other significant seafloor features in California and throughout the EEZ. The California Seamount Coalition Director Samantha Murray shares the latest. The E/V Nautilus, a ship equipped with remotely operated vehicles that go deep and conduct telepresence is visiting the Greater Farallones National Marine Sanctuary in later August. Learn about the upcoming explorations, how to explore real time with scientists and about coastal maritime archeology explorations

White abalone were once prolific in southern CA waters, but over harvesting, reproductive failure and infections have diminished this species to become the first invertebrate to make the endangered species list. NOAA has been working on a restoration action plan that includes culturing individuals in aquaculture laboratories. Meet Melissa Neuman of NOAA and Kristin Aquilino of UC Davis Bodega Marine Lab to hear the latest.

Dr. David Freestone shares information about the UN Convention of the Law of the Sea and how international waters are managed. Learn about the Sargasso Sea Commission that is advancing intentions of the UN Convention of the Law of the Sea towards international collaboration for conservation.

Hear an update on the widespread harmful algal bloom that started in the Pacific in 2015, where is at now? What have the impacts of the lack of Dungeness crab season been for Bodega Bay Fishing families? On the 2nd half we learn about toxic fog. Recent studies show low levels of mercury in fog. What are the implications and where does it come from?

New studies sampling fish in markets in CA and Indonesia reveal plastic fibers in the guts of fish. What does this mean? Should consumers be worried? Dr. Rochman discusses the findings and situation at hand. On the 2nd half, Jeff Kirschner of Litterati tells us the vision behind Litterati, how it works and what its meant to do to help clean up litter and keep it off the ground.

Dr. Jim Delgado of the Office of National Marine Sanctuaries Maritime Heritage program talks about some significant findings in the "graveyard off the Golden Gate" and white sharks have returned to the "red triangle" between Ano Nuevo, Farallon Islands and Tomales Point with lots of sightings near the coast. David McGuire of Shark Stewards shares an update.

The west coast of the US has been in severe drought and is tracking the promise of rain that El Nino may bring to the western states during winter 2015/2016.

What does science tell us about how the ocean affects us physically and cognitively. Authors Wallace J. Nichols, Author of Blue Mind: The Surprising Science that Shows How Being Near, In, On or Under Water Can Make You Happier, Healthier, More Connected, and Better at What You Do; and James Nestor, Author of Deep: Freediving, Renegade Science, and What the Ocean Tells Us about Ourselves

Dr. Sarah Moffitt discusses the research she conducted that looks at past climate events through ocean floor core samples to better understand what is currently happening in the modern climate system.

On the first half, Cea Higgins of Sonoma Coast Surfrider talks about the proposal by the state of CA to install fee collections stations at currently free Sonoma Coast beaches. On the 2nd half of the show Lisa Boyle of 5 Gyres Institute discusses 5 Gyres Institute's most recent work discovering microbeads mighty impact on the ocean and efforts to ban the bead.

While CA faces the worst drought on record, cities throughout the state are considering desalination plants to produce some water. What projects are in the works in CA? What are the impacts on the ocean environment?

Guest Doug Karpa of the Turtle Island Restoration Network (seaturtles.org) shares what the latest issues are with the CA Drift Gillnet Fishery particularly focused in Southern California. What are drift gill nets and how and when have they been used in California waters, phased out in many areas due to the extreme by catch, they are still active in southern CA targeting swordfish. Learn the latest here.

Guest John R Gillis, professor emeritus at Rutgers University, "bi-coastal" author discusses the many ways we have viewed the coast / shoreline in history. This significant feature on our planet has affected civilization and is in jeopardy.

Some speed interviews highlighting various topics: Seabird Die off on the West Coast of the US, the creation of the largest marine protected area in the world in the Pacific Ocean, and an update on seastar wasting disease. (Guests: Russ Bradley, Point Blue Conservation Science, Lance Morgan, Marine Conservation Institute, and Pete Raimondi, UC Santa Cruz)

Sonoma Coast resident and avid abalone diver talks about the history and pressures on abalone in CA.

Ocean Wonders Ocean Wellness is an installation at the Bolinas Museum in West Marin, CA. This show provides an overview of the exhibit and we talk with artists Chris Jordan and Isabella Kirkland who have works in the show.

The Whale Entanglement Team (W.E.T) is authorized by NOAA's National Marine Fisheries service to disentangle whales. Guest Pieter Folkens talks about how its done. 2nd half of show shares highlights from the July sanctuary research collaboration Applied California Current Ecosystem Studies effort in the Cordell Bank and Gulf of the Farallones National Marine Sanctuaries.

Learn about the fascinating science behind free diving and how divers can stay underwater for minutes at a time. Discover the benefits to free diving and varying levels of the recreational and competitive sport. Towards the end of the show we learn about the progression of El Nino for the later part of 2014 months.

The coast of California has one of the most spectacular coastlines in the world. The rocks and islands along the coast have a special designation and level of protection by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM)'s California Coastal National Monument . This episode focuses on the history, ecology, value, and recent additions to the CA Coastal National Monument.

3 years after the tragic earthquake in Japan and following meltdown of the Fukushima Daiici Nuclear Power plant scientists and the public are curious as to how this is reaching the west coast of the United States. Kelpwatch 2014 is a campaign to determine the uptake of radiation in kelp up and down the west coast of the US.

3 topics: Amy Trainer of the Environmental Action Committee of West Marin talks about the efforts to monitor the usage/compliance with the state marine protected areas that went into place. Dr. Pete Raimondi talks about the sea star wasting event happening on the entire western seaboard, and 2014's San Francisco International Ocean Film Festival highlights

Tune in to hear about the Bay Area Underwater Explorers as they planned and executed a successful technical diving mission on Cordell Bank in October 2013. Cordell Bank is a rocky reef about 20 miles west of Point Reyes and its shallowest peak at 115 feet. Surrounded by strong currents and deep depths, Cordell Bank is typically not a SCUBA diving destination, but for this strong group of technical divers, it was truly an accomplishment with the thrill of witnessing unmatched beauty and abundance elsewhere.

The arts influence us in a multitude of ways. The arts have certainly expanded our understanding, appreciation, and awareness and knowledge about the ocean. I talk with 4 artists who have helped advance our understanding of the ocean through their work. Guests: Jim Toomey, Larry Graff, Cleo Vilett, Jodi Lomask