Best Plasticpollution Podcasts (2025)

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Coral reefs suffering from climate change: scientists warn we’ve crossed a tipping point 14:06

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2h ago14:06

14:06

Coral reefs suffering from climate change are no longer a warning for the future, they are happening now. A landmark scientific report reveals that warm-water reefs have already passed a tipping threshold due to global heating, leading to widespread die-offs and threatening the biodiversity and coastal protection they provide. For the millions of p…

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Madagascar Environment and Shark Science with Dr. David Ebert 50:57

3d ago50:57

50:57

Madagascar Environment is at the center of this engaging conversation with Dr. David Ebert, a world-renowned shark scientist and co-host of Beyond Jaws. In this episode, we uncover the unique challenges and opportunities that Madagascar’s marine ecosystems face, from biodiversity conservation to the pressures of unsustainable fishing. Shark science…

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Vaquita warns us about sharks: lessons for the ocean’s future 13:52

5d ago13:52

13:52

Vaquita stands as one of the rarest marine mammals on Earth, with fewer than 20 left in the wild. In this episode, we explore what the near-extinction of the vaquita teaches us about the future of sharks and why their survival is critical to the health of the ocean. Sharks play an essential role in keeping marine ecosystems balanced, yet they face …

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Marineland Beluga Whales: What’s Next for Canada’s Captive Cetaceans 18:50

7d ago18:50

18:50

Marineland beluga whales remain at the center of a heated national debate after Canada’s Department of Fisheries and Oceans denied the park’s request to export 30 whales to a marine theme park in China. In this episode, Andrew Lewin explores the unfolding crisis, from the park’s claims of financial hardship to the legal, ethical, and political ques…

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All The Sharks, filming, science, and stories from the field 1:29:07

10d ago1:29:07

1:29:07

Shark conservation: All The Sharks brings you into the water with filmmakers and scientists, exploring how camera choices, site selection, and safety shape close encounters with tiger sharks, hammerheads, white sharks, and whale sharks. You will hear candid stories about reading shark behavior, managing lighting on fast passes from silky sharks, an…

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Marineland Beluga Export Denied: What Happens Next for Canada’s Captive Whales 14:12

12d ago14:12

14:12

By Andrew Lewin - Marine Biologist & Science Communicator

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Sustainability Business: Lee Stewart on Building Real Ocean Impact Through Smarter Operations 50:22

14d ago50:22

50:22

Sustainability business: In this episode of How to Protect the Ocean, Andrew Lewin talks with Lee Stewart about how businesses can make sustainability a practical, measurable part of their operations. They explore how carbon tracking, waste reduction, packaging design, and supply chain improvements can build resilience while cutting costs. Ocean li…

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Mentors: Climate Change is Hopeless? Here’s Why You Should Still Fight 18:23

17d ago18:23

18:23

Mentors: climate change is hopeless—at least, that’s the message many young scientists are hearing from the people they were told to admire. But what if giving up isn’t the only option? In this episode, I respond to a heartfelt email from a marine science student who refuses to stay silent, even when senior scientists tell her that solutions to cli…

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Jane Goodall: How One Woman Changed Conservation Forever 23:51

18d ago23:51

23:51

Jane Goodall transformed the way we understand animals, conservation, and our place in nature. In this special tribute episode of How to Protect the Ocean, I reflect on Dr. Goodall’s incredible legacy and what her life’s work teaches us about empathy, science, and hope. From living with chimpanzees in Gombe to influencing ocean storytelling today, …

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Explore the Ocean Floor: Why Mapping the Deep Matters and How You Can Get Involved 44:40

21d ago44:40

44:40

Explore the ocean floor is more than a scientific ambition, it is a global necessity. In this episode of How to Protect the Ocean, Andrew Lewin speaks with Tim Kearns, Executive Director of Map the Gaps, about the upcoming Ocean Floor Explorer conference in Victoria, BC. They discuss why mapping the seabed is vital for science, conservation, and so…

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Fighting overfishing with AI: Satellites Expose Illegal Fishing in Marine Protected Areas 19:16

24d ago19:16

19:16

Fighting overfishing with AI is transforming how we protect the ocean. A new study revealed that nearly half of all coastal marine protected areas (MPAs) showed fishing vessel presence, with many ships operating “dark” without AIS tracking. This means that even in places meant to be safe havens for biodiversity, industrial fishing has been creeping…

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Indigenous Relationships and the Ocean: Stories of Connection and Conservation with ONC 59:18

26d ago59:18

59:18

Indigenous relationships with the ocean reveal powerful ways of understanding stewardship, culture, and conservation. This episode highlights how Indigenous communities have long held knowledge that connects people with marine ecosystems, guiding sustainable practices and deep respect for biodiversity. Indigenous relationships are also about resili…

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Fisheries Subsidies Agreement Explained with Oceana's Dan Skerritt 57:29

28d ago57:29

57:29

Fisheries subsidies are at the heart of one of the most important global trade agreements for the ocean. In this episode, I sit down with Dan Skeritt to break down the World Trade Organization’s new Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies, discuss why it matters, and explore its implications for countries around the world. We explore how harmful subsidies…

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Ocean Book You Need to Read: Amanda Leland’s Vision for a Sea Change 1:03:46

1M ago1:03:46

1:03:46

Ocean Book you need to read introduces listeners to Sea Change by Amanda Leland, a powerful and hopeful exploration of how individuals and communities can unite to protect our oceans. Amanda draws from her expertise and experience to highlight the urgency of tackling climate change, overfishing, and pollution, while also showcasing the innovative s…

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Great White Shark Populations Have Interesting DNA 13:14

1M ago13:14

13:14

Great white shark DNA is one of the most puzzling mysteries in marine biology. Recent research has revealed that despite being one species, great whites have split into three distinct genetic groups across the globe. What’s even stranger: their nuclear DNA and mitochondrial DNA tell conflicting stories, leaving scientists scratching their heads. Sh…

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How Scientists Can Become Advocates 20:52

1M ago20:52

20:52

Advocacy for scientists is a skill that can transform how research impacts the real world. In this episode of How to Protect the Ocean, host Andrew Lewin reflects on an article by Melissa Varga from the Union of Concerned Scientists that encourages scientists to step into advocacy roles. Andrew shares why many researchers hesitate to speak out, the…

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Sustainable Fashion with Courtney Barriger: Protecting the Ocean Through Clothing Choices 52:55

1M ago52:55

52:55

Sustainable fashion is more than a trend, it is a movement that connects what we wear to the health of our planet. In this episode, Andrew Lewin speaks with Courtney Barriger, CEO of Holding Court Inc., about how clothing design can reduce waste, prevent microplastic pollution, and empower people to make responsible choices. The discussion reveals …

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Terracycle: Recycling Everything from Plastics to Global Waste Solutions 1:10:59

2M ago1:10:59

1:10:59

Terracycle is proving that almost anything can be recycled, from cigarette butts to ocean plastics, transforming how the world thinks about waste. In this episode of How to Protect the Ocean, Andrew Lewin speaks with Tom Szaky, the founder and CEO of TerraCycle, to explore how his company is creating global recycling programs that redefine sustaina…

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Shark Meat Fed To Students: Brazil’s Hidden School Lunch Scandal 1:05:31

2M ago1:05:31

1:05:31

Shark Meat Fed To Students in Brazil’s public institutions has sparked outrage after Mongabay uncovered thousands of tons of mislabeled shark meat, including endangered species like angelsharks, being served in schools, hospitals, prisons, and elderly care centers. Labeled as “cação” or “angel fish,” these meals were consumed by thousands of unsusp…

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Oceana Working to Protect Endangered Species: How Legal Action Safeguards Whales and Sea Turtles 50:56

2M ago50:56

50:56

Oceana, working to protect endangered species, is at the heart of this powerful episode featuring Tara Brock, an environmental lawyer advocating for ocean life. Tara unpacks how the Endangered Species Act is used to protect humpback whales and sea turtles, and how legal tools like this remain essential to ocean conservation. As threats like ship st…

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Starting an Environmental Nonprofit: The Balean Founders Story with Bart Oor and Sander Brienen 55:20

2M ago55:20

55:20

Starting an environmental nonprofit often begins with a vision and the determination to make a difference, but it also comes with challenges in funding, community support, and long-term sustainability. In this episode of How to Protect the Ocean, Bart Oor and Sander Brienen share the story of how they created Balean, a platform designed to help ind…

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Pacific Islands Marine Monument Rollback and Court Reversal Explained 59:44

2M ago59:44

59:44

Pacific Islands Heritage Marine National Monument: For over a decade, these waters stood as one of the largest no-take zones on Earth, safeguarding corals, fish, and migratory species. But on day one of his presidency, Donald Trump erased the U.S. commitment to 30x30 and soon after issued Proclamation 10918, opening parts of the monument to commerc…

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Less than 400 Left: How Media Coverage Shapes the Fate of North Atlantic Right Whales 1:07:57

2M ago1:07:57

1:07:57

Less than 400 left — that’s how many North Atlantic right whales remain in the world. These critically endangered whales are at the center of an urgent conservation story, but how the media communicates about them plays a powerful role in shaping public awareness and action. In this episode of How to Protect the Ocean, Andrew Lewin sits down with D…

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Managing Fishing Vessels: Uncovering the Hidden Ownership of Industrial Fleets 59:43

2M ago59:43

59:43

Managing fishing vessels goes far beyond tracking where a boat is registered. In this episode, we dive into Oceana’s Beyond the Flag report to explore how large-scale fishing vessels are often flagged in one country but owned in another, creating dangerous loopholes that allow illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing to thrive. This legal…

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Plastic pollution in the ocean: How the Global Treaty Could Change Everything 19:33

2M ago19:33

19:33

Plastic pollution in the ocean is no longer just an environmental issue—it’s a public health crisis and an economic threat. In this episode, I break down the latest updates from the UN negotiations on a global plastics treaty, explaining why the talks in Geneva this month could set the course for the next generation’s relationship with plastic. Fro…

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How 5 billion sea stars died and what we can do to save them 8:35

2M ago8:35

8:35

How 5 billion sea stars died is a story that shook marine ecosystems along North America’s Pacific coast. This episode dives into the groundbreaking discovery of the bacterium Vibrio pectenicida, the pathogen responsible for sea star wasting disease, which decimated up to 90% of sunflower sea stars. We explore how the loss of these predators caused…

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Scientist Identifies New Manta Ray Species: Dr. Andrea Marshall’s Discovery of the Atlantic Manta 8:43

2M ago8:43

8:43

Scientist Identifies New Manta Ray Species—the Atlantic Manta Ray, Mobula yarae—in a groundbreaking announcement from Dr. Andrea Marshall and her team at the Marine Megafauna Foundation. In this episode, Andrew Lewin shares the story of how Dr. Marshall, already renowned for identifying two distinct manta species in 2009, confirmed a long-suspected…

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Climate Crisis and Capitalism: David Suzuki on Why We Must Rethink Everything 36:07

3M ago36:07

36:07

Climate Crisis and Capitalism are at the heart of David Suzuki’s powerful message in this episode. In a candid and impassioned reflection, Suzuki warns that if we continue to prioritize politics and the economy over protecting the environment, we may as well give up on climate action. He challenges the cultural obsession with perpetual economic gro…

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Map the Deep Sea: How Ocean Mapping Drives Conservation, Equity, and Innovation 46:24

3M ago46:24

46:24

Map the Deep Sea to protect what we don’t yet understand. In this episode, Andrew Lewin speaks with Tim Kearns from Map the Gaps, a global initiative working to close the knowledge gap beneath the waves. With over 75% of the seafloor still unmapped in high resolution, the ocean remains Earth’s final frontier—and unlocking its secrets is essential f…

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Ocean Books and Solarpunk Stories: Todd Medema’s Climate Heist Novel to Inspire Action 43:54

3M ago43:54

43:54

Ocean Books can do more than entertain—they can inspire action, hope, and a fresh way of thinking about climate change. In this episode, Todd Medema introduces his new novel, How to Surf a Hurricane, a solarpunk heist that imagines a near-future world adapting to climate change. Todd and Andrew Lewin explore how fiction can shift the narrative from…

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Coffee and the Environment: The Hidden Cost of Your Daily Brew 1:07:55

3M ago1:07:55

1:07:55

Coffee and the environment are deeply intertwined, yet few consumers realize just how damaging the coffee industry can be. In this episode, Etelle Higonnet, a Yale-trained human rights lawyer and founder of Coffee Watch, joins Andrew to explore the environmental and human rights crises associated with global coffee production. From deforestation an…

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Plastic Pollution in the Ocean: Why It’s Time to Ban Styrofoam for Good 1:00:22

3M ago1:00:22

1:00:22

Plastic foam pollution continues to be a widespread and dangerous threat to ocean health. In this episode of How to Protect the Ocean, Oceana’s Christy Leavitt breaks down their 2025 report exposing the true environmental cost of expanded polystyrene foam (EPS) used in foodware across the US. With shocking statistics and real-life examples, Christy…

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Shark Week 2025 Why Shark Week’s “Dancing With Sharks” Episode Got It So Wrong 12:52

3M ago12:52

12:52

Shark Week 2025 opened with a spectacle that left many conservationists and shark advocates frustrated. The premiere episode, Dancing With Sharks, featured handlers hugging, hand-feeding, and even riding sharks—behaviors that distort shark biology and promote a dangerous misunderstanding of these wild animals. In this episode, we examine how the us…

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How to Protect Sharks: What Actually Works (and What Doesn’t) 7:46

3M ago7:46

7:46

How to Protect Sharks isn’t just about banning shark finning or posting awareness videos. It’s about understanding what really works—supporting science-based policies, enforcing marine protected areas, backing local researchers, and stopping the spread of misinformation. In this episode, we clear up the confusion around shark conservation and focus…

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How Marine Conservation Works: From Community Action to Global Policy 18:06

3M ago18:06

18:06

How Marine Conservation Works is the foundation for protecting our oceans, but it’s often misunderstood. In this episode, we break down how marine conservation really happens—from grassroots community efforts and local fisheries management to scientific input and national policies. You’ll learn why effective conservation requires more than just goo…

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Texas Flood 2025: Smarter Tools Needed To Save Lives 53:03

3M ago53:03

53:03

Texas Flood 2025 revealed just how urgently we need smarter tools in disaster response. In this episode, Dave Jones, founder of StormCenter Communications, explains how his team used satellite imagery and real-time mapping to support emergency responders during the catastrophic floods. Their data helped identify stranded residents, blocked roads, a…

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Conservation Is About Collaboration And Balean Is All About Collaboration 56:28

3M ago56:28

56:28

Conservation is about collaboration, and collaboration is what we are discussing today. Ocean collaboration is at the heart of many conservation success stories, but what happens when it breaks down? In this episode of the How to Protect the Ocean podcast, host Andrew Lewin talks with Bart Oor, the founder of Balean, a platform created to support i…

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Orca Allokelping: Newly Documented Mutual Grooming Tool Use in Marine Mammals 14:40

3M ago14:40

14:40

Orca Allokelping is the newly documented behavior where southern resident killer whales use bull kelp as a tool to rub against each other—possibly to remove dead skin and soothe irritation. Captured via drone, this social spa-like behavior, known as allokelping, reveals a rare example of cooperative tool use in the wild. Scientists believe it serve…

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All The Sharks Netflix Review: It's A Must Watch 17:56

3M ago17:56

17:56

All The Sharks Netflix finally delivers what ocean lovers and science communicators have been asking for: a show that gets shark science right. In this episode, Andrew breaks down how the new game show sets itself apart from misleading content like SeaSpiracy and Shark Whisperer, and instead showcases real marine scientists, environmental journalis…

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Ocean Networks Canada: What It’s Really Like to Work in the Deep Sea 1:04:14

3M ago1:04:14

1:04:14

Ocean careers are often imagined as adventurous and exciting, but what does it actually mean to work in the ocean every day, especially in the deep sea? In this episode of the How to Protect the Ocean podcast, Andrew speaks with Megan Paulson from Ocean Networks Canada, Josh Tedarenko from Campac Marine Services, and Dirk, who all work in partnersh…

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Ocean Ramsay's Shark Whisperer, A Review of the Conservation Claims and Controversies 25:58

4M ago25:58

25:58

Ocean Ramsay's new documentary, called Shark Whisperer, is out on Netflix, and this is my review. This episode investigates Ocean Ramsey’s viral shark interactions, including her approach of touching and redirecting sharks in open water. We explore how these encounters influence shark behavior and why marine scientists warn about potential stress, …

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Ocean Conservation Disconnect with People: Straws, Sharks, and Science Barriers 21:39

4M ago21:39

21:39

Ocean Conservation Disconnect defines the state of ocean conservation today, where public enthusiasm rarely translates into real impact. The viral plastic straw campaign proved that a simple symbol could spark global conversations, yet it shifted focus away from the systemic changes needed to reduce ocean plastic. Swapping plastic for metal straws …

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Tuna Sustainability and The Work of the International Seafood Sustainability Foundation 1:22:46

4M ago1:22:46

1:22:46

Tuna sustainability is more than a buzzword—it’s a complex challenge tackled head-on by the International Seafood Sustainability Foundation (ISSF). In this episode, Susan Jackson, ISSF President, joins host Andrew Lewin to unpack their groundbreaking 2024 Annual Report. From developing biodegradable jelly-FADs to advancing electronic monitoring sta…

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How French Polynesia Protected 4.8 Million km² of Ocean: The World’s Largest MPA 10:46

4M ago10:46

10:46

French Polynesia marine protected area is now the largest in the world, covering nearly 4.8 million square kilometers of ocean. This groundbreaking conservation effort was announced during the United Nations Ocean Conference and includes large no-take zones near the Society and Gambier Islands, along with expansive areas that restrict harmful activ…

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The Problem with Seaweed Aquaculture: Hidden Threats to Marine Life 10:43

4M ago10:43

10:43

The problem with seaweed aquaculture is that it’s not always as ocean-friendly as it seems. While seaweed farming is often praised as a climate solution—able to sequester carbon, improve water quality, and support sustainable food systems—scientists are now warning that its rapid, unregulated expansion could be damaging vital marine ecosystems. In …

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UN Ocean Conference 2025: Big Promises, Global Funding, and the Push for Ocean Protection 10:48

4M ago10:48

10:48

UNOC 2025 brought major headlines in ocean conservation—from billions pledged to protect biodiversity, to significant movement on the High Seas Treaty. In this episode, Andrew Lewin returns from the UN Ocean Conference in Nice, France, with a firsthand account of what was announced, what was promised, and what might actually happen. Ocean finance w…

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Why Cayman Islanders Voted to Stop a Cruise Ship Pier and Save Their Reef 11:44

4M ago11:44

11:44

Why Cayman Islanders Voted against a massive cruise ship pier is a rare and powerful story of reef protection over profit. In this episode of How to Protect the Ocean, Andrew Lewin unpacks the bold decision by Cayman citizens to reject a development project that would have severely damaged their coral reef ecosystem. The vote sent a clear message: …

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How US Climate Policy Affects Renewable Energy and Ocean Conservation 55:14

4M ago55:14

55:14

Climate policy in the U.S. has taken a wild ride in recent years. In this episode of How to Protect the Ocean, I speak with Chris Moyer, founder of Echo Communication Advisors, about the turbulent shifts in federal policy—especially during the Trump and Biden administrations, and how these shifts have disrupted progress in renewable energy. We exam…

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Oceans Day: A Message of Hope and Action for Ocean Conservation 25:18

4M ago25:18

25:18

Oceans Day is more than a date on the calendar—it’s a moment to reflect on the state of our blue planet and our role in protecting it. In this heartfelt episode, Andrew Lewin shares a personal message for Oceans Day 2025 (and any day after), speaking directly to those who feel overwhelmed by climate anxiety and unsure of their place in ocean conser…

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Surfacing Secrets: Mavericks and Visionaries 1:11:55

5M ago1:11:55

1:11:55

Ocean Networks Canada (ONC) began as a bold idea—to create a real-time, always-on listening system for the ocean. In this episode, Surfacing Secrets: Mavericks and Visionaries, we go behind the scenes with the people who made that idea real. From laying cables deep in the Pacific to building trust with research institutions and government partners,…