“All things are part of one single system called nature; the individual life is good when its in harmony with nature”
— Zeno of Citium, Founder of Stoic Philosophy
Image: © Underwater Earth/XL Catlin Seaview Survey/Lynton BurgerStoa Scleractinia Podcast
Ep 1 - Dr. Owen O’Shea.
Dr Owen O’Shea is the founder and head of The Centre for Ocean Research and Education (CORE) in Gregory Town, Eleuthera Island, The Bahamas. One dive in Indonesia during his early twenties, led Dr. O’Shea down a path of discovery to live more harmoniously with nature. He has never looked back since.
Dr. O’Shea started his marine biology career at James Cook University in Townsville, Australia, and went on to do his PhD at Murdoch University in Perth, Australia. Now, he is a well established marine scientist and passionate educator of marine ecosystems for young people in the Bahamas.
Dr. O’Shea’s main research focus is on the ecology of sharks and rays, but through CORE and the “out of sight, out of mind project” he is highly engaged in helping his local community protect their “Saltwater Backyard” in the Bahamas.
In this podcast, Dr. O’Shea talks about his journey into marine science, the importance of local communities in protecting coastal ecosystems, how he started CORE, the scientific publication process, and problems with marine plastics.
Access his research on his google scholar page. Dr. O’Shea is more than happy to share his research with those interested.
Support Dr. O’Shea and his work at CORE by donating here.
Ep 2 - Jason Neptune
Jason Neptune is a dedicated marine conservationist, musician and surfer who has a degree in Marine Conservation with Honours from the Australian Maritime College in Tasmania, Australia. After finishing his studies, Jason decided to use his band “The Lost Thylacines” as a mechanism to educate and solve the problem of marine plastic debris around the world through their Crystal Land Tours.
Jason and his team have a hands on approach to marine conservation. Driven by the desire to give back to the places and people that give them fond memories of the ocean, Jason and his band effectively mobilise hundreds of people into doing beach clean ups just by leading by example. Jason and his band mates live by their philosophy that there is a serious problem with marine plastic debris in the ocean and it needs to be fixed. Today.
Learn more about Jason’s journey and the work of the Crystal Land Tours by supporting the music from Lost Thylacines here.
Stoa Scleractinia Podcast
Ep 3 - Tom Bowling
Tom Bowling is a marine conservationist and aquarist. Growing up in South America, Tom had a fascination with understanding how small animals he found transformed in tanks. He bought his first car from selling fish he cultivated in his tanks, and expanded his scientific knowledge by undertaking a Marine Biology and Aquaculture degree at James Cook University, Australia. He used this knowledge to develop innovative techniques for rearing fish in the Aquaculture industry and has experience in Australia and the Pacific Ocean. In 2012, he moved to Palau and started BIOTA.
BIOTA is an aquaculture company with a goal to protect and enhance the marine environment. They have developed innovative ways to raise captive coral reef organisms, ensuring nothing sold comes from the wild. Furthermore, BIOTA have come up with multiple innovations in the industry, which include the first to close the life Cycle of the Bumphead Parrotfish (Bolbometopon muricatum) and the captive breeding the Mandarin Fish (Synchiropus splendidus). BIOTA not only educate people and communities about the importance of the coral reefs through the creation of the world's easiest salt water aquarium , but they also use the company as an opportunity to restock overfished reef fish populations in Palau.