Episodes
In this final episode, we're looking to the future. The Oceans Treaty which was finally passed last year after decades of negotiations was momentous - but what actually is it? And will it do anything? Senior Policy Advisor Lisa Speer was at the UN HQ in New York when the announcement was made, and joins Hannah to break down what it means, why it's exciting - and what obstacles still stand in the way. Hannah speaks with Hawaiian community leader Uncle Sol about his island's relationship to...
Published 05/13/24
Published 05/13/24
Everyone knows the oceans are changing. Sea levels are rising, the water's heating up, coral is bleaching. But away from the scary stats, what do the changing oceans actually look like - what impact are they having on us now? Hannah is joined by climate activist Shaama Sandooyea, who explains how climate change is impacting her home nation of Mauritius, and grammy-nominated DJ and environmental toxicologist Jayda G travels to the studio to tell Hannah about her new CNN film, 'Blue...
Published 05/06/24
Hannah's been getting updates from onboard the Arctic Sunrise, one of Greenpeace's research ships, since the beginning of the series - from Panama where it set sail out into the Galápagos Islands marine reserve. We heard as it crossed the equator, and we've learnt about the pioneering research the scientists and volunteers have already done on seamounts in the area. And now, they've finally anchored and we're joining them onboard for an episode all about Galápagos. You'll meet Sophie Cooke,...
Published 04/29/24
Hollywood has a lot to answer for when it comes to how we view sharks. The Great White, we all know. But sharks have been around since before the dinosaurs, and in that time they've evolved into 538 different species of all different shapes and sizes - and counting. Sharks with glow-in-the-dark armpits, sharks that can fit in your pocket, sharks with spots, sharks with frills. Isla Hodgson joins Hannah in the studio, and she's got some astonishing shark facts up her sleeve. Also - you'll...
Published 04/15/24
3 billion people rely on the oceans for their livelihoods. But who are they? What are their stories? Hannah's moving away from the ocean's wild animals and meeting its humans instead. She's joined by lifelong fisherman Jerry Percy, and speaks with freediver and ocean advocate Hanli Prinsloo about who the oceans are for. Also - Frida Bengtsson, a researcher who focuses on fisheries, tells her success story of working with fisheries in the Barents Sea. Follow the show @oceanspod on IG, TikTok...
Published 04/08/24
They're like aliens from another planet. There are over 300 species and counting, from the size of your fingernail to 10 metres across. They live on the ocean's surface, and in its darkest depths. But how intelligent are they, really? How do they use tools? And what's it like to meet one in the wild? Eminent marine biologist and science communicator Helen Scales joins Hannah in the studio. Also - meet Gretchen Früh-Green, one of the scientists who discovered the Lost City, which some believe...
Published 04/01/24
Did you know that pretty much anything goes in international waters? Past a certain point somewhere beyond the coast, national jurisdiction ends and the Wild West begins. There's no police force for the ocean, so with rampant piracy, smuggling and illegal fishing - who's in charge? Maritime lawyer Richard Caddell joins Hannah in the studio. Also - we meet Steve Truluck, whose life changed when he started watching whales off the coast of Scotland. His work with Orca Watch brings that joy to...
Published 03/25/24
The world's longest mountain range is actually in the middle of the ocean - the mid-Atlantic ridge, at more than 40,000 miles long. But who knows about these mountains? How high are they? Where are they? What lives on them? Hannah is joined by South African actress and TV presenter Amanda Du Pont, who spent two weeks on a Greenpeace ship on a research expedition to Mount Vema in 2019. And she welcomes marine scientist Lucy Woodall back into the studio, who's led expeditions to seamounts all...
Published 03/18/24
Antarctica is one of the harshest environments you can imagine. Winds can reach 200mph and the lowest temperature ever recorded was -89 degrees Celsius. But the monochrome above the waves is matched by the explosion of colour beneath them. The Southern Ocean is home to more than 9000 species, many of which can only be found there. Hannah is joined by scientist Lucy Woodall, who led the first expedition to find Shackleton's ship Endurance, and Antarctic historian John Dudeney. Also - meet...
Published 03/11/24
Hannah's asking all the questions you ever wanted to know about whales. Did you know they have culture? She's joined by whale legend Hal Whitehead, whose close encounters with sperm whales and understanding of their culture has completely changed how we view these enormous animals. Also - we've had an update from the team onboard the Arctic Sunrise, the research ship that's on its way to the Galapagos Islands. Listen to Roger Payne's groundbreaking whale song recording here:...
Published 03/04/24
Hannah is joined by a submarine pilot to learn everything she ever wanted to know about what the ocean's floor looks and sounds like. And you'll meet Quack Pirihi, who explains why they can't be Maōri without the oceans. Follow us on IG, X and TikTok for bonus content and incredible submarine footage: @oceanspod. If you want to know more about the oceans and how to protect them, come and join us here: https://act.gp/life-under-water.
Published 02/26/24
Welcome to the oceans. Want to know how it feels to dive 65m under the waves in a single breath? Or why worms in coral reefs are so exciting? Wildlife filmmaker and broadcaster Hannah Stitfall is joined by freediving icon Daan Verhoeven, and esteemed marine biologist and science communicator Helen Scales explains why she's still optimistic about the oceans' future. Also - we'll be on board a ship setting sail from Panama to the Galapagos Islands, a journey we'll be following over the course...
Published 02/19/24
On February 19th comes this new podcast all about the oceans and the mind-blowing life within them, with wildlife filmmaker, broadcaster and zoologist Hannah Stitfall.
Published 02/06/24