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Marine conservation faces a tough reality: philanthropic grants are shrinking just as ocean crises accelerate. Drawing boundary lines only creates “paper parks” - marine protected areas lacking financial durability, enforcement, and authentic local ownership. In this episode of Ocean Collaborations, Jan Maisenbacher sits down with Angelique “Angie” Brathwaite, Director of Conservation and Science at Blue Alliance, to unpack what scalable, self-sustaining ocean protection looks like on the ground. With over two million hectares of coral reef under co-management across Indonesia, the Philippines, and Zanzibar, Blue Alliance bridges policy, science, and market realities. Angie outlines their pioneering model of “reef-positive enterprises” -initiatives like restorative sea cucumber aquaculture and regenerative ecotourism that generate commercial revenues to fund ongoing conservation, science monitoring, and local patrol teams. Thanks for reading - and listening! Subscribe for free to receive new posts Crucially, Angie details the human side of impact: hiring local leaders, listening deeply to artisanal fishers, and merging technical science with ancestral knowledge. For ocean changemakers, impact investors, and scientists seeking practical solutions beyond traditional donor cycles, this dialogue delivers an honest, pragmatic masterclass. Tune in now to discover how innovative enterprise and deep collaboration are regenerating our ocean for the long haul. Connect with Angie on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/angelique-brathwaite70 Blue Alliance Links: * Internet: https://bluealliance.earth/ * on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/blue-alliance-mpa/ Angie’s Voice of the Ocean Music: Listen to Natural Mystic from Bob Marley on youtube here (watch it on Substack) Podcast Ocean Collaborations is produced out of Switzerland by janmaisenbacher.com: https://janmaisenbacher.com/en/ocean-podcast/ Subscribe on Substack, Spotify or Apple Podcasts. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit janmaisenbacher.substack.com

We talk constantly about regenerating the ocean - but who is regenerating the people doing the work?In my very first solo episode, I step behind the mic to get honest about ocean conference exhaustion, superficial networking, and change leader burnout. How do we move from passive panels to transformative retreats and radical collaboration? Tune in to Episode 37 for an intimate reflection on creating sanctuaries for impact, inner resilience, and what’s next for Ocean Collaborations in 2027. If my collaboration invitation of this episode speaks to you, don’t hesitate to reach out: [email protected] Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/janmaisenbacher/ More information about me: https://janmaisenbacher.com/en/about-jan-maisenbacher This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit janmaisenbacher.substack.com

What if marine conservation began not with another boundary on a map, but with a question: who has lived with this ocean, and what do they already know? In this new episode of Ocean Collaborations, Jan Maisenbacher speaks with Ihirau Piton, a 23-year-old Tahitian anthropology student and Pacific youth leader. His starting point is disarmingly clear: “Protecting the ocean cannot come without protecting the people.” Ihirau takes us inside Tiaki Moana, a 2025 gathering that brought young people from across Oceania to French Polynesia to explore conservation beyond the usual marine protected area model. The conversations happened in an amphitheatre, on the beach, and long after the formal programme ended. The point was not only to exchange ideas, but to rebuild relationships across an ocean that connects communities often kept apart. You’ll hear about rāhui: a Polynesian practice of temporarily restricting the use of a resource so it can recover. It is not a conservation “toolkit” to copy and paste. It belongs to a living cultural context -and raises a bigger question for all of us working in ocean regeneration: can policies succeed when they treat local people as an afterthought? This is also an honest conversation about deep-sea mining, industrial fishing, colonial legacies, tourism, and the uneasy gap between protecting nature in principle and making a living in practice. For anyone trying to build collaboration that is courageous, locally grounded and more than blue blah blah, this episode offers a needed reset. Listen now - and stay with the question Ihirau leaves us with: what changes when we understand the ocean not as a place apart, but as part of who we are? This is the third episode resulting from the media partnership with “One Ocean Science Congress” which happened in Nice 2025. Here are the other two episodes:#27 Alice Guittard: Advancing a Sustainable Blue Economy in the Black Sea #24 Jorge Ramirez: Participatory Ocean Science on GalapagosYou are managing an ocean conference? Looking for a fitting media partner? Get in touch & let’s collaborate! [email protected] Linklist: * Ihirau Piton on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ihirau-piton-83827a285/ * Blue Cradle Projectpage: https://bluecradle.org/tiaki-moana * Tiaki Moana Report: https://bluecradle.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Tiaki-Moana-Report.pdf * Video Teaser (youtube): Guardians of the Ocean (watch it on Substack): * Longer cinema documentary: (n.a. currently) This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit janmaisenbacher.substack.com

If you’ve spent any time in the corporate or NGO world, you know the “incremental” trap. We celebrate 2% gains while the system we’re trying to save is heading South at 100mph. My guest Clare Brook reached that breaking point in 2014. After 24 years in sustainable finance-pioneering ESG before it was a buzzword - she realized that moving the dial “gradually” through investor engagement wasn’t just slow; it was running out of time. She didn’t just want to nudge the needle; she wanted to change the instrument. Today, as CEO of Blue Marine Foundation, she leads one of Europe’s most ambitious marine conservation groups. In the latest episode of the Ocean Collaborations podcast, Clare breaks down what it actually looks like to lead transformational - not just incremental- change in our waters. Subscribe for free to receive new episodes of ocean collaborations podcast We often talk about the goal: 30% of the ocean protected by 2030 (the “30x30”). But Clare focuses on the how. At Blue Marine, they use what she calls the “Octopus” model. It’s a structure where the body drives projects across 30 countries, while eight distinct “tentacles” - from investigations and legal action to economics and media -work simultaneously to unlock systemic change. One of the fascinating parts of our conversation was the “Regeneration Generation” initiative in the Caribbean. We often see conservation as a cost, but Clare is reframing Marine-Protected Areas (MPAs) as a virtuous cycle. It’s about solving “brain drain” by creating high-tech, purpose-driven livelihoods for the next generation - drone operators, data scientists, and educators - built on the foundation of a healthy reef. The job topic in MPA’s reminded me of the episode #33 I had around social entrepeneurship with Wietse Van Der Werf from Sea Ranger Service (listen here). If you’re frustrated by political apathy or the David vs. Goliath reality of standing up to industrial overfishing, this episode is the shot of courage you need. Clare discusses the short-termism of political cycles and why we need a “social contract with nature” that outlasts the next election. Curious about how to build a change coalition that actually moves the needle? Listen to the full episode on Substack (Spotify, or Apple Podcasts). Here’s the link to the mentioned youtube video:“The Bottom Line with Stephen Fry and Theo James” Jan met Clare Brook in Nice 2025 during the 3rd United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3) Add-on about the social contract with nature : We talked how we can get back in touch with nature and ways how to interact with animals. As mentioned from Jan here are two links to recent solutions that decode animal voices: Project CETI: https://listen.projectceti.org/ Earth Species Project: https://earthspecies.org/ Clare Brook on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/clarebluemarine/ Blue Marine Foundation Webpage: https://www.bluemarinefoundation.com/ On Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/bluemarinefoundation This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit janmaisenbacher.substack.com

I grew up in a small german village, deeply rooted in the rituals of the Roman Catholic Church. For around ten years in my childhood the church wasn’t just a building; it was the heartbeat of our community - a place where faith translated into collective action and a shared moral compass. Fast forward to my first major ocean conference in Nice in June 2025. Amidst the sterile policy halls and the data-heavy slides, I stumbled upon a movement that connected those childhood roots to my current mission: the campaign Faiths for Oceans and their multifaith declaration on ocean protection. It was a “lightbulb” moment. I realized that if we are to save 70% of our planet, we can’t just rely on cold data and multilateralism; we need a theory of change that touches the human heart and soul. In this week’s episode of Ocean Collaborations, I sit down with a man who has lived this intersection for over five decades: Arthur Dahl. At 84, Arthur is a living bridge between the scientific and the spiritual. A marine biologist who dove the world’s most pristine reefs in the 1970s, he became a titan of UN environmental governance, contributing to every major summit from Stockholm (1972) to Rio (1992). But Arthur isn’t here to talk about the “good old days.” He is here to tell us why the UN, in its current form, is failing the ocean. A radical “Second UN Charter” to avoid institutional breakdown Arthur knows the UN system inside out, and his diagnosis is bold. He argues we are stuck in a “Sovereignty Trap.” The UN is built on national borders, but the ocean knows none. While politicians remain trapped in economic frameworks that prioritize short-term GDP, the biological foundations of our world - like the coral reefs Arthur spent his life studying - are collapsing. His solution? A radical “Second UN Charter” that moves beyond voluntary agreements toward true global accountability. Thanks for reading! This post is public so feel free to share it. Faith as a Theory of Change for Ocean Collaboration Arthur’s secret to resilience is what he calls the harmony of science and religion. As President of the International Environment Forum and a member of the Baha’i faith, he views the ocean as a system reflecting a higher human purpose. He shares profound stories from the Pacific, where indigenous wisdom and spiritual logic created “perfect fisheries management” long before global policy existed. If you are a professional frustrated by institutional inertia, this episode is your antidote. We explore how faith can be the “connecting pin” between science, politics, and the bold, courageous collaborations required for ocean regeneration. Listen to the full episode to hear why Arthur believes the “cries of the ocean” will finally force our institutions to transform - and how you can be part of that shift. Learn more about his amazing ocean life in this article he wrote in the news magazine of the International Coral Reef Society: From Reef Science to Reef Actionhttps://coralreefs.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/REEF-ENCOUNTER-APRIL-2026-FINAL_lores.pdf Arthur Dahl on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/arthurdahl International Environment Forum: https://iefworld.org/ Faiths for the Oceans campaign: https://www.oceans.faith/ Get in touch with Jan Maisenbacher to heart/brain/soulstorm how Faith as a theory of change could become a practice of change for ocean collaborations. Book your slot with Jan on calendly here: https://www.calendly.com/janmaisenbacher This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit janmaisenbacher.substack.com

Are you tired of attending yet another high-level environmental summit only to walk away feeling like you just witnessed another round of “blue blue blah blah”? For those of us working towards blue regenerative societies the gap between ambitious political declarations and real-world execution can be a source of frustration. We know what needs to be done, yet institutional inertia (and non- collaborative dialogue) continue to slow our progress. In episode #33 host and experienced conference designer Jan Maisenbacher sits down with Meaghan Cuddy, manager of the Our Ocean Conference secretariat at the World Resources Institute. Together, they pull back the curtain on how to design a high-stakes global forum for actual impact, rather than empty rhetoric. Having organized conferences himself, Jan brings a unique conference-design lens to the conversation, questioning why commitments are not more deeply integrated into the actual panel setups and session agendas to break the passive “panel talk” bubble. Unlike standard UN processes, the Our Ocean Conference is an invite-only platform designed without diplomatic negotiations. Its sole objective is mobilising and tracking concrete conservation pledges. Subscribe for free on Substack to receive episodes of Jan Maisenbacher’s Ocean Collaboration Podcast! This brings us to the core impact piece: what happens after the applause fades? Meaghan shares the rigorous “detective work” her small team conducts year-round to track every single commitment. Listeners will discover the surprising data behind these pledges, including the reality of the eighty percent that are completed or in progress, and the systemic challenges behind the twenty percent that fail to launch. From Kenya’s historic one-billion-dollar commitment to transboundary marine protection, to the grassroots power of the Mombasa Declaration on fisheries transparency, this episode is a blueprint for impactful change. If you are ready to explore how strategic meeting design can bridge the gap between policy and execution, while learning how to build resilient leadership that avoids burnout, this conversation is for you. Tune in to discover how we can break our sector’s echo chamber, engage critical decision-makers in finance and trade, and turn empty talk into measurable ocean action. Connect with Meaghan Cuddy on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/meaghancuddy/ Links:Our Ocean Conference (OOC) Kenya: https://ouroceankenya.com/ OOC Commitment Tracker: https://commitments.ouroceanconference.org/login/World Ressources Institute Ocean Program:https://www.wri.org/ocean Learn how Jan Maisenbacher can help to make your conference more impactful, collaborative and regenerative : https://janmaisenbacher.com/en/magicprojects/ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit janmaisenbacher.substack.com

Arthur is Executive Director of the Western Indian Ocean Marine Science Association (WIOMSA) and brings more than two decades of experience in marine conservation and marine protected area management. If you work in ocean conservation, marine policy, philanthropy, impact, or the blue economy, you probably know this feeling: there is no shortage of ambition. More targets. More declarations. More conferences. More language about transformation. And yet the hardest questions remain: * Who is actually managing marine protected areas? * How do we move from protection on paper to protection in practice? * And what kind of leadership does this moment really require? These are exactly the questions that make this Ocean Collaborations episode with Arthur Tuda worth your time. What makes this conversation so compelling is that it is not abstract. It is rooted in the reality of governing ocean systems in a region where collaboration is essential, resources are stretched, and communities depend directly on the sea. One of the clearest insights from the episode is this: declaring protected areas is the easy part. Managing them well is the hard part. That distinction matters. A marine protected area (MPA) is not successful because it exists on a map. It matters when it is funded, staffed, enforced, understood locally, and supported by institutions that can hold the work over time. Otherwise, it risks becoming what many practitioners know too well: a paper park. Arthur also brings a refreshingly honest view on innovation. Yes, technology helps. Better data, AI, and surveillance tools can improve efficiency. But technology does not build trust with fishing communities, mentor young practitioners, or translate science into policy through human relationships. In his words, ocean protection still depends on people. That is where Blue Leadership comes in. Thanks for reading and listening to Ocean Collaborations! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work. In this episode, leadership is not about status or title. It is about building the capacity to work between science and policy, communities and institutions, ambition and implementation. It is about training people, retaining them, and reforming the organizations they work in. One especially powerful idea that emerges in the conversation is the vision for a future ‘Blue Academy’ in the Western Indian Ocean: a place where practitioners could learn in and from real marine protected areas, exchange knowledge across countries, and strengthen the leadership needed to make conservation actually work. That idea alone should make you curious. Because this episode is not just about the challenges of Blue Leadership. It is about a bigger possibility: what if ocean collaboration had a real home where people could practice it, not just talk about it? If you are frustrated by slow change, interested in marine protected areas beyond the headlines, or looking for grounded and inspiring examples of collaborative ocean governance, this conversation is for you. Listen for the hard truths.Listen for the leadership challenge.And listen for the ‘Blue Academy’ idea that could shape what comes next. See you at the Our Ocean Conference in Mombasa soon! Are you there and want to talk further ideas? Drop me an email and let’s talk to co-create ocean collaboration (like the Blue Academy) together: [email protected] I am in Kenya from 12 to 27 June. Don’t hesitate to join the subscriber chat here on Substack where Jan shares his insights and learnings from his first trip to Africa (or ping Jan to follow the live posts on Telegram). And of course don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast on Substack, Spotify or Apple Podcast. Arthur Tuda on LInkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/arthur-tuda-435544b/ Western Indian Ocean Marine Science Association (WIOMSA): https://www.wiomsa.org/ 11th Our Ocean Conference in Kenya: https://ouroceankenya.com/ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit janmaisenbacher.substack.com

Dennis Fritsch from Oceano Azul Foundation talks with host Jan Maisenbacher about the recently launched longterm initiative ‘Re+Valuing Blue Natural Capital’ of the London School of Economics and Oceano Azul Foundation. Because the real systemic challenge is how our world counts value. Our current economic system rewards “extraction” - taking things out of nature until it breaks. A dead fish at a market has a price, but a living fish keeping the sea healthy is worth zero in our books. This makes protecting the ocean look like a “cost” instead of the most important investment we could ever make. To fix this, the new ‘Re+Valuing Blue Natural Capital’ initiative is a bold team-up between the London School of Economics and the Oceano Azul Foundation. Listen in to learn more how they are collaborating together to: * Create a roadmap to make the ocean’s health visible in the laws and financial rules that run our world. * Launch a two-year “intellectual compass” that will start “speedboat” projects to show how these new ideas work in the real world. Dennis also shared his honest take on the Blue Economy and Finance Forum in Monaco he will be visiting again soon for the second edition. While he was glad to see world leaders attending, he is worried about the “elephant in the room”. Listen to the episode and learn more about their “elephant and speedboat” reflections. Thanks for reading and listening! Subscribe for free on Substack to receive new ocean collaboration podcasts episode via email This episode is for impatient ocean change-makers who want learn to move past simple awareness and start finding examples of real, actionable solutions for ocean regeneration. This talk is an invitation to join a diverse community of ‘experts’. ‘Experts of all shades’ who aren’t afraid of big questions and visionary longterm transformation dreams. To maybe crack the toughest nut of ocean collaboration for the next generation: our economic paradigm. Dennis Fritsch on LinkedIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-dennis-fritsch-52909511bOceano Azul Foundation: * Web: https://oceanoazulfoundation.org/ * Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/oceano-azul-foundation * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oceanoazulfoundation/ * Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/oceanoazulfoundation * Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCojAEyOe5duzVXrprx8_vWw This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit janmaisenbacher.substack.com

The Missing Link: Can We Save the Ocean Without China? We all feel the urgency, but let’s be honest: are we just talking to ourselves? As ocean collaboration change agents, we often treat China like a “blackbox” - too big to ignore, yet too complex to reach. If you’ve feel isolated in your efforts to scale impact this episode is your “energizer”. We’re crossing the bridge to meet Songlin Wang, an “ocean-dadpreneur” who has spent 20 years building trust where others only saw walls. Thanks for reading! This post is public so feel free to share it. Songlin’s story is a masterclass in why “how” we collaborate matters more than “what” we fund. He shares the raw reality of starting the Qingdao Marine Conservation Society while raising a toddler, proving that true change starts with personal courage. Here is what we discovered: * The Bird that Stopped the Bulldozers: How do you stop a superpower from reclaiming 60% of its wetlands? Songlin reveals how his team used tiny migratory birds as “indicators” to speak a language the government couldn’t ignore, leading to a historic national ban in 2018. * Beyond the Blame Game: We keep hearing about the “fishing dilemma,” but what if the industry and NGOs actually shared a mission? Songlin explains why blaming one fleet fails and how building a “mycelium” of trust between scientists and fishers is the only way to tackle illegal fishing. * The Dadpreneur’s Secret: From commuting between Qingdao and Hong Kong to dreaming of a family trip to the Galapagos, Songlin shows us that balancing professional ambition with family life is the ultimate training for a change agent. Are you ready to move past the geopolitical noise and see the real people driving the blue economy from the inside? This isn’t just another interview; it’s a rare look at the hidden networks of collaboration already woven into the water. Let’s stop talking about “different” oceans and start working for the one that connects us all. Listen now to hear how we can build a regenerative ocean future, together. You like this episode? You know other ‘ocean collaboration bubble breakers’ that move the needle beyond blue-blue-bla-bla and dare to go in the edgy inbetween spaces? Don’t hesitate to message [email protected] to get in touch if! 王松林 Songlin Wang on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/%E6%9D%BE%E6%9E%97-%E7%8E%8B-360ab1a8/ Linklist Stories for coastal wetland conservation: https://www.paulsoninstitute.org/conservation/wetlands-conservation/blueprint-of-coastal-wetland-conservation-and-management-in-china/ https://dialogue.earth/en/ocean/12251-tiaozini-wetlands-world-heritage-site-conservation/ Here are some of Qingdao Marine Conservation Society projects and our thinkings: https://www.oceanoutcomes.org/news/national-fisheries-institute-O2-CAPPMA-O2-launch-crab-seafood-project-china/ https://www.oceanoutcomes.org/news/conservation-china-eelgrass-pew-yellow-sea-small-scale-fishing/ https://impact.economist.com/ocean/biodiversity-ecosystems-and-resources/boosting-global-food-security-with-blue-food Links about regional collaboration: https://times.seafoodlegacy.com/en/wang_songlin_1/ https://www.linkedin.com/posts/seafoodlegacy_sakura-activity-7444884986786373633-3UTj/ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit janmaisenbacher.substack.com

Join Birgit Liodden and Jan Maisenbacher on an inspiring ocean collaboration ride. 🔥 Why you shouldn’t miss this episode: * A rare insider view (and new moratorium initiative!) on the fight against deep sea mining * Concrete pathways toward regenerative blue economy solutions * A glimpse into how community + technology can unlock system change (like the Female Founder & Owners Initiative, Guardians of the Arctic, 1000 Ocean Start-up Initiative ) * And a deeply human reminder: 👉 The future of the ocean will not be decided by extraction - but by collaboration. 💥 At the heart of the episode is a bold truth: We are on the verge of industrializing the least understood ecosystem on Earth. And yet, we don’t have the science to understand the consequences. Birgit shares how she and her collaborators are working to mobilize global business leaders, investors, and entrepreneurs to support a moratorium on deep sea mining -not just by saying “no,” but by building real alternatives. 🌱 That’s where it gets exciting for every ocean changemaker:Through the OCEAN OPPORTUNITY LAB, her team is launching a global, open-source “toolbox” of regenerative solutions - mapping innovations that could make seabed mining obsolete before it even begins. 🧠This episode goes beyond one issue. It taps directly into a core pain point many in the various ocean change making ‘bubbles’ feel: How can we accelarate innovation, change and collaboration in ocean regeneration? Enter TOOL (Ocean Opportunity Lab) 🧩Not just another platform - but a living infrastructure for collaboration. Birgit describes it beautifully as the “mycelium of the ocean ecosystem” 🍄→ connecting innovators, scientists, investors, NGOs, and rebels across 130+ countries→ breaking silos that keep good ideas stuck→ helping you find your people, your partners, and your next stepAnother mycelium example: Birgit is bridging the gap for female founders, scaling visibility from 100 to 1,000 - now aiming for 10,000 (via TOOL 🚀). It’s not just about gender; it’s about “reef mentality” 🪸 - replacing silos with feminine traits like ecosystem thinking and regenerative collaboration to heal the ocean. 🤝✨ If you’ve ever felt: * isolated in your mission * frustrated by fragmented efforts * or searching for meaningful collaboration TOOL might just be the ecosystem you’ve been looking for! This podcast & post is public so feel free to share it. The Ocean Opportunity Lab as a go-to-place for ocean collaboration impact: → LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/theoceanopportunitylab→ Insta: https://www.instagram.com/oceanopportunitylab→ REGISTER on the Web and contribute: https://community.toolspawn.com/ Follow & connect Birgit Liodden → on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/birgitliodden→ on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shippingsocialist Mentioned projects and initiatives:→ Guardians of the Arctic: https://guardians-arc.org→ Female Founder & Owners Initiative: Wavemakers Podcast (besides TOOL also available on Spotify): Wavemakers Podcast on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@theoceanopportunitylab8182 Check-out the amazing line-up of their podcast guests (and connect with female Founders on LinkedIn). Somehow TOOL Wavemakers Podcast slipped through our research we did for the one anniversary episode #22 in February 2026 (relisten/re-read here). → 1000 Ocean Start-up Initiative: https://www.1000oceanstartups.org Thanks for listening to Ocean Collaborations! Subscribe for free to receive new posts directly in your inbox: This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit janmaisenbacher.substack.com

We’re thrilled to launch the very first Ocean Collaborations Reflections Episode - our new quarterly deep dive into ocean truths amid 2026’s chaos! Your hosts: Jan from Switzerland (almost 50, ocean newbie 😊) and Peter Neill (85-year ocean vet from the US 🗽). Peter built the World Ocean Observatory from scratch decades ago, shifting museums from dusty past to urgent ocean future. Jan started his podcast in Feburary 2025 - now we’re talking below the surface about should-could-must collaboration action! Thanks for listening! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work. We tackle tough stuff and talk straight: * Why ocean conferences repeat existing paradigms? * ‘Paper’ Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) with zero enforcement? * Wars bombing desalination plants? 😩 But we spark hope - relentless ocean literacy, ethical investing (Peter’s portfolio beats the market! 💰), and YOU 🫵 as the dove’s wings for peace (shoutout Camus 🕊️). Frustrated by slow ocean impact change and the state of the (ocean) world? Then LISTEN to the full audio podcast - your wings matter too! Join our chat for real talk on transforming capitalism, water wars, and building coalitions - and don’t hesitate to share with us what reflection topics interest you for the next episode in July (when Jan is back from the Our Ocean Conference). Write us at [email protected] Peter Neill on Social Media: On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/peter-neill-7b131713 Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/WorldOceanObservatorySubstack: This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit janmaisenbacher.substack.com

🌊🎙️ What does collaboration look like when the ocean itself becomes a frontline? In Episode 27 we are joined by research scientist Alice Guittard. Set against the backdrop of the Black Sea - a region shaped by both ecological richness and geopolitical tension - this episode brings you into the heart of the now-concluded BRIDGE Black Sea project. And what emerges is not just a story of research, but of resilience… In this special, first-ever crossover between Ocean Collaborations and Reef Roundup Podcast, something quietly radical happens: two podcasts, one shared ocean, and a conversation that refuses to accept fragmentation - of ecosystems, of communities, or of hope. 🤝 Graham Patterson is ‘diving the talk’ with Jan Maisenbacher in courageous, transformative ocean collaboration. If you are looking for actionable ways to build cross-sector coalitions in a zone that is suffering from war, this episode is for you. Here are a few collaboration insights: 🛠️ The Power of “Living Labs” for Systemic Change: * Breaking silos by uniting public, private, academia, and civil society around shared sustainability challenges. * Building deep trust and understanding among diverse stakeholders who rarely meet but share common end goals. * Co-designing actionable strategies rather than just talking, turning local needs into concrete blue economy solutions. 💡 Innovative Tools & Ecosystems for the Sustainable Blue Economy: * Developing the Black Sea Digital Twin of the Ocean to predict future scenarios and empower local decision-makers. * Launching accelerator programs that connect young blue economy entrepreneurs with vital resources and networks. * Bridging the critical gap between available private sustainability funding and local, on-the-ground implementation. Thanks for reading and listening! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support ocean collaborations podcast But what makes this episode truly stand out is its timing - and its courage. While wars rage across multiple waters, this conversation doesn’t look away. It acknowledges the unseen casualties: marine life silenced by pollution, coastal economies collapsing, scientific collaboration disrupted. And yet, it insists on something else too - that collaboration is still possible, even now. From Ukrainian researchers continuing their work under fire, to local actors finding common ground across divided shores, this episode is a reminder: the ocean connects where politics divides. 🕊️ This episode became possible thanks to the media partnership of Podcast Ocean Collaborations at the One Ocean Science Congress in Nice in June 2025 organised from Ifremer & CNRS. Alice Guittard on LinkedIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aliceguittard/ Research project BRIDGE Black Sea: Advancing knowledge, delivering research, empowering citizens for sustainable and climate-neutral Black Sea: https://bridgeblacksea.org Living Lab Methodology: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Living_lab Graham Patterson on LinkedIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/grahampatterson REEF Roundup Podcast: https://www.reef-roundup.com Thanks for reading and listening! This post is public so feel free to share it (on Substack) This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit janmaisenbacher.substack.com

How can we protect our ocean while also helping our coastal communities? In our latest episode of Ocean Collaborations, Jan Maisenbacher talks with Wietse van der Werf. He is the founder of the Sea Ranger Service, a bold social enterprise that is changing how we think about marine conservation. 🚢 10 (!) years of ocean impact: Sea Ranger Service Wietse believes that to save our seas, we must move beyond traditional charity. His “impact business model” treats ocean health as a service that creates real jobs. By using a business structure, he can scale faster and stay independent. This approach shows that doing good for the planet can also be a sustainable way to run a company. Key topics of this episode * SeaRanger Service’s impact on ocean restoration and youth employment * Innovative funding models for marine conservation * Cross-sector partnerships with navy, industry, and government * Seagrass restoration as a climate and biodiversity solution * The role of social entrepreneurship in ocean health Why social entrepreneurship works for the ocean * It creates a steady flow of money that does not depend only on grants or donations. * It allows for faster growth by using proven business tools like franchising and global scaling. * It focuses on clear results that balance nature restoration with economic success for people. Thanks for reading and listening! This post is public so feel free to share it. How social (ocean) entrepreneurs are restoring the ocean and creating jobs The “how” is just as inspiring as the “why.” The Sea Ranger Service builds its own sailing work ships to keep a low carbon footprint. They run boot camps where navy veterans train unemployed youth to become the next generation of ocean guardians. This creates a powerful cycle of social and environmental impact. 🤝 How this model helps coastal communities: * It offers purpose-driven careers to young people who may feel left behind by the economy. * It uses the skills of veterans to provide high-quality training and mentorship in maritime roles. * It helps nations manage Marine Protected Areas that would otherwise be left unmonitored. Wietse’s story is one of courage and innovation. He shows us that we don’t have to choose between a healthy ocean and a strong economy. We can have both if we are brave enough to build new systems. 🌟 Join the ocean collaborations change maker community and keep on learning how you can apply the tools and processes discovered in the podcast to your own work. In 2026 we are building a diverse ecosystem of professionals who are ready to transform the blue economy. Let’s move from awareness to action - together. 🌍 If you are interested to learn more, simply subsribe to the Substack chat: Linklist * Sea Ranger Service website: https://searangers.org/ * Sea Ranger Bootcamp (how they train youth): https://searangers.org/bootcamp/ * Sea Ranger Webshop: https://searangers.org/shop/ * Sumthing, platform for public contributions: https://www.sumthing.org/projects/SR-001/restoring-seagrass-in-the-eastern-scheldt#evaluation * Sea Ranger franchising model: https://searangers.org/academy/ * Seagrass restoration: https://searangers.org/nature-restoration/ * For more personal approach, you can find Sea Ranger stories here: https://searangers.org/blog/ LinkedIn: * Connect with Wietse Van Der Werf: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wietsevdwerf/ * Follow the company page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/searangersorg Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/searangersorg/ Ashoka Social Entrepreneurship Network: https://www.ashoka.org/en The other two mentioned ocean social entrepreneurs: Bren Smith (US west coast): building a blue-green economy centered on a 3D ocean farm that will restore oceans and re-invent the fishing profession.Hanli Prinsloo (South Africa): founded the I am Water Foundation to create safe, immersive experiences that reconnect young people to the world beneath the waves. Subscribe on substack with your mailadress to receive the next inspiring episode free to your inbox This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit janmaisenbacher.substack.com

In this special “premiere collaboration” episode of Ocean Collaborations, Jan Maisenbacher speaks with veteran ocean podcaster and marine conservationist Andrew Lewin (host of How to Protect the Ocean). Join us as we reflect on the 13th World Ocean Summit from the Economist with Andrew sharing insights from his experiences having been at the summit. We are exploring ocean conservation, international collaboration, and the power of podcasting to inspire change. And: We developed a courageous conference idea! The conversation is both a reflection on why long-form audio can move people to act - and a sense-making debrief of the 13th World Ocean Summit which was held in Montréal. The episode ultimately lands on a pragmatic, hopeful premise: collaboration isn’t only a value - it’s a practice built through convening, shared language, and the willingness to meet across disciplines (science, policy, finance, rights holders, and industry). The invitation is clear: let’s move from announcements to execution - and build the spaces where implementation becomes the main event.And: Stay tuned for more sense-making ocean collaboration dialogues of Andrew and Jan! This is just an podcast collaboration beginning… let us know how you liked it! Subscribe to Andrews Podcasts here:Podcast “How To Protect The Ocean”: https://www.speakupforblue.com/show/speak-up-for-the-ocean-blue/ Podcast “Beyond Jaws”: https://www.speakupforblue.com/show/beyond-jaws/ Connect with Andrew Lewin on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lewinandrew Thanks for reading and listening! Feel free to share it… This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit janmaisenbacher.substack.com

Our 2nd episode from South America is out! AND: it is a milestone jewel in ocean collaboration… This episode became possible thanks to the media partnership of Podcast Ocean Collaborations at the One Ocean Science Congress in Nice in June 2025 organised from Ifremer & CNRS. From the heart of the Pacific Ocean, a brilliant beacon of hope is shining for all of us: Listen to the magical work of Jorge Ramírez, Co-Principal Investigator in Sustainable Fisheries at the Charles Darwin Foundation in the Galapagos Islands. Jorge and his interdisciplinary team are proving that the key to saving our oceans isn’t just about understanding the fish - it’s about understanding the people. For decades, ocean science has often operated top-down. Scientists gather data, governments make rules, and local communities are expected to comply. But Jorge realized early on that this model is fundamentally flawed. “The sea will still be the sea, the species will still be species,” Jorge reminds us. “But who has the power to destroy, and also to restore, is the humans.” 🌍The results are nothing short of miraculous. Take the sea cucumber - a highly valuable resource that has been overexploited globally. In the Galapagos, it was on the brink of collapse. But through courageous, transparent dialogue, all stakeholders agreed to close the fishery for five years. When it was time to reassess, Jorge’s team didn’t just hand down a scientific verdict. They translated complex mathematical models into accessible, visual language. In a breakthrough moment, a local fisher stood up, took the floor, and explained the scientific model to his peers. The new management plan was unanimously approved. Today, the Galapagos is the only place in the world where the sea cucumber population has successfully recovered! They’ve also seen the recovery of two species of spiny lobster using these exact same inclusive approaches. Is this is the transformational change and paradigm shift needed to leapfrog ocean regeneration? It proves that when we balance power and validate the knowledge of local communities alongside rigorous science, we can overcome resistance and achieve unprecedented ecological and social returns. Those “social technologies” in use on the Galapagos can be a scalable blueprint for Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) worldwide.💙Listen to this episode, be inspired and go to ‘cook’ yourself with delicious ‘social technologies’ in your ocean regeneration projects. 🛠️ The Social Technologies Driving Deep Change 🤝 How do you get historically opposed groups to collaborate effectively? For Jorge (and Jan too), the answer lies in “Social Technologies.” To manage the human dimension of the socio-ecological system, his team employs powerful frameworks to build trust and collective intelligence. First is the Art of Hosting, a practice of participatory leadership. It creates “brave spaces” where power dynamics are neutralized. The traditional hierarchy is dismantled; the voice and traditional knowledge of a fisher carry the exact same weight as the data of a marine biologist or a government official. Second, they utilize Theory U (from MIT), a change management framework guiding stakeholders through co-sensing and co-creating emerging futures. It requires participants to show up with an open mind, heart, and will. Using Theory U, Jorge’s team facilitated a six-month process involving fishers, chefs, and authorities to co-develop a unified vision for the Galapagos seafood system. They also integrate Circles of Peace and deep listening exercises to build profound empathy before tackling contentious issues like marine zoning. Crucially, they aligned this vision with the Four Returns methodology from the NGO Common Land. Adapted for seascapes, it focuses on four key restoration outcomes: economic returns, social returns for the community, environmental returns (biodiversity), and inspirational returns for future generations. Combining Theory U with the Four Returns, they co-created 16 collective statements guiding the entire seafood system. By blending rigorous science with these (and many other) qualitative social technologies, we can transform conflicts into collaborative action. Please share this story of courage and innovation with your fellow change-makers! ✨ And why not Adopt a Species? Check out the program from Charles Darwin Foundation which supports conservation efforts: https://www.darwinfoundation.org/en/get-involved/sponsor-a-species/ The Charles Darwin Foundation for the Galápagos Islands (CDF) is an international non-profit organization that has operated in Galapagos since 1959 under a special agreement with the Government of Ecuador. Its mission, and that of its Research Station, is to address the greatest threats and challenges facing Galapagos through scientific research and conservation actions, to protect one of the world’s most important natural treasures. Today CDF supports more than 25 research, conservation, and education projects across land and sea, and is the custodian of over 137,000 specimens in its Natural History Collections. Its diverse team of more than 140 scientists, educators, and support staff is composed primarily of Ecuadorian citizens, with over 60% from Galápagos. For more information, please visit: www.darwinfoundation.org Jorge Ramírez on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jorge-ramirez-gonzalez/But actually he is not so often on Linkedin, it is easier to reach him via email: jorge.ramirez(A.T.)fcdarwin.org.ec This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit janmaisenbacher.substack.com