Ocean Doctor | Ocean Doctor | Ocean Conservation in Action

Why Dolphins Must be Freed — A Plea from Ric O’Barry (“The Cove”)

November 14, 2011 By Ocean Doctor

November 14, 2011: He was the former trainer of the most famous dolphin of them all, Flipper. There were actually five “Flippers” in all, and when the most well-known of them all, Kathy, died in Ric O’Barry’s arms, he made the profound transition from training dolphins in captivity to combating the captivity industry. His work was featured in the Academy Award-winning film, The Cove (2009), which used covert techniques to expose the brutal dolphin hunt that persists in Taiji, Japan. Ric shares his powerful message with us. Also: What would you do if your nation was going to disappear off the face of the Earth? We get a dramatic answer from ten warrior dancers of the tiny Pacific coral atoll nation of Tokelau.

The Ocean Doctor airs weekly on WebTalkRadio.net. Want to listen on your iPod, iPhone or mp3 player? Download the mp3 file or subscribe on iTunes and don’t miss a single episode. Or listen to us on your iPhone, Android phone, WebOS phone, BlackBerry or tablet, including the iPad, with the free Stitcher SmartRadio app. See the complete list of episodes. Follow The Ocean Doctor on Twitter — Become a Fan on Facebook! Submit a question and I’ll try to answer it on the air. Even better, record your question or comment on our special message line and I might play it on the air. Call: (805) 619-9194. You can also leave questions and comments for this episode below. Like the show? Learn how to become a sponsor. [Read more...]

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Filed Under: Podcast Tagged With: dolphin, dolphins, Earth Island Institute, Flipper, global warming, Japan, Lincoln O'Barry, Ric O'Barry, Save Japan Dolphins, Taiji, The Cove, Tuvalu, Water is Rising

Protected: Jardines de la Reina Video

October 25, 2011 By Ocean Doctor

Filed Under: Cuba, Cuba Research & Conservation

Cuba Offshore Oil Drilling: Why We’re Not Ready

October 23, 2011 By Ocean Doctor

The 53,000-ton the Italian-owned, Chinese-built Scarabeo 9 is a state-of-the-art, semi-submersible ultra-deepwater drilling platform capable of working in up to 12,000 feet of water depth with a 50,000 foot (9.5 miles) drilling depth capacity. The platform has accommodations for full-time support of up to 200 workers. (Source: “Background on Scarabeo 9” in CubaStandard.com by Jorge Piñon,)

As I write this, a massive offshore oil platform makes its way around the southern tip of the African continent on its journey from Singapore to its final destination within 50 miles of some of our nation’s most environmentally sensitive waters. By year’s end, it will be in operation to drill the first exploratory well more than a mile deep in Cuban waters.

Shortly after Cuba’s discovery of offshore oil more than six years ago, I met with my colleagues at the University of Havana who had just been briefed by the state-run oil company, Cupet (Cubapetroleo). Models predicted that 90 percent of oil from a blowout would be transported northward to the Keys and up along Florida’s East Coast, impacting Miami, Ft. Lauderdale and beyond. The question is, of course, are we ready to deal with such a catastrophe? [Read more...]

Filed Under: Cuba, Featured, Ocean Doctor's Reflections Tagged With: Bill Riley, bp, Cuba, Dan Whittle, deepwater horizon, environmental defense fund, florida, florida keys, Governor Jeb Bush, Jorge Piñon, offshore oil drilling, oil, Scarabeo 9, Senator Bob Corker, Senator Bob Graham, Senator Lisa Murkowski, The Ocean Foundation

The Secret River in the Nation’s Capital

October 17, 2011 By Ocean Doctor

October 17, 2011: Just 18 blocks from the Capitol dome, a river teeming with American history and spectacular wildlife winds gently southward. But it’s not the well-known Potomac River that’s the subject of today’s show. This week, we dedicate our entire episode to a very special journey by boat down the secret river in the nation’s capital, a river called the Anacostia. Plying its waters is an eye-opening journey through our nation’s history and natural heritage. Our guide is James Foster, Executive Director of the Anacostia Watershed Society, a group whose leadership is pioneering the way for restoring this neglected river and providing hope for the other great rivers across the country.

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Filed Under: Podcast, Washington, DC Tagged With: Anacostia River, Anacostia Watershed Society, bays, Chesapeake Bay, Civil War, DC, estuaries, James Foster, rivers, Washington

The state of the world’s oceans with David Guggenheim | Radio Times with Marty Moss-Coane | WHYY/NPR Philadelphia

October 7, 2011 By Ocean Doctor

WHYY's Marty Moss-Coane prepares to interview Dr. David E. Guggenheim

October 4, 2011: During a visit to his home town of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania as part of the Ocean Doctor’s 50 Years – 50 States – 50 Speeches Expedition, Dr. David E. Guggenheim is interviewed on Radio Times with Marty Moss-Coane, WHYY/NPR about the state of the world’s oceans.

The state of the world’s oceans with David Guggenheim | Radio Times with Marty Moss-Coane | WHYY/NPR Philadelphia

Filed Under: Featured

VIDEO: Ocean Doctor’s Birthday Message 2011

October 6, 2011 By Ocean Doctor

Filed Under: 50 States Expedition, Featured, Ocean Doctor's Reflections

Ecology Radio Debuts! The Ocean Doctor Interviews Dr. Sylvia A. Earle

October 3, 2011 By Ocean Doctor

Ecology Global Network It’s new and it’s now LIVE! Ecology Radio is a new, hour-long Internet radio magazine featuring the latest, cutting-edge environmental topics. Each month, Dr. David E. Guggenheim, host of The Ocean Doctor Radio Show show, brings an ocean-related segment to Ecology Radio, debuting with a very special guest: “Her Deepness,” Dr. Sylvia A. Earle.

Dr. Sylvia A. Earle at the helm of the Deep Rover submersible (Photo: David E. Guggenheim)

Ecology Radio is a service of the ECOLOGY Global Network™, a service of ecology.com, the nexus of the Worldwide Web, international television, international radio and personal data delivery systems regarding all facets of ecology and the environment… all delivered on ecology.com with plans to expand to other media delivery platforms.

The ECOLOGY Global Network™ mission is to use the modern tools of information and communication to inform, educate and inspire the global community to respect, restore and protect our natural and human world, and to encourage all people to become stewards of the environment in which we live.

Filed Under: Featured, News & Announcements Tagged With: Deep Rover, Dr. Sylvia Earle, Ecology Global Network, Ecology Radio, ecology.com, submarine, submersible, The Ocean Doctor Radio Show

Have We Saved the Whales?

September 25, 2011 By Ocean Doctor

September 26, 2011: It was a battle cry in the ‘60s and ‘70s — “Save the Whales” bumper stickers reflected a burgeoning green movement and deep concern about the decimation of the world’s whale populations. But decades later, do the whales still need saving? The important answer and much more about whales – including his dramatic rescue of humpback whale, “Valentina” – from Michael Fishbach, co-founder and co-director of The Great Whale Conservancy. Also: The planet’s missing heat may be found; why you should NOT eat a ray to save the bay; and Happy Birthday, Greenpeace!

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Filed Under: Podcast Tagged With: blue whales, Earth Island Institute, Gershon Cohen, greenpeace, humpback whales, Michael Fishbach, Save the Whales, The Great Whale Conservancy, Valentina, whales

Eating Our Way Out of the Ocean’s Problems — A Chef’s Perspective

August 14, 2011 By Ocean Doctor

August 15, 2011: Our special guest is National Geographic Fellow and acclaimed chef, author, and speaker Barton Seaver, who seeks to restore our relationship with the ocean, the land, and with each other through dinner. His new book is For Cod and Country: Simple, Delicious, Sustainable Cooking. If you’re not hungry, you will be by the end of this show! Also: A giant sea monster discovered in the UK and a close encounter with the largest animal that’s ever lived.

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Filed Under: Podcast, Sustainable Aquaculture, Washington, DC Tagged With: aquaculture, Barton Seaver, blue whales, bp, bp deepwater horizon, bp oil spill, Gulf of Mexico, Mote Marine Laboratory, national geographic, National Geographic Society, oil spill, Sustainable Aquaculture, sustainable seafood, whales

VIDEO: Viet Village Urban Farm Sustainable Aquaculture Park

August 11, 2011 By Ocean Doctor

This video was produced especially for and shown at the Blue Vision Summit 2011 in Washington, DC for the panel, “Voices from the Gulf,” May 21, 2011.