In this episode, I sit down with Nate Andrews, my boss and mentor at the RI DEM Division of Marine Fisheries. We chat about his original inspiration to be a scientist and the career path that led him to DEM.

Nate now works on the Access Point Angler Intercept Survey (APAIS), a program that studies recreational fishers and uses data to make important management decisions. We chat about how data collected from everyday anglers feeds into NOAA’s Marine Recreational Information Program (MRIP), and why accurate catch and effort data is essential for sustainable fishing. Nate explains complex concepts like catch per unit effort in a way that actually makes sense, and shows how small data points can influence big management decisions.

Our conversation also dives into fish identification, stewardship, and the human side of fisheries science. Nate shares his personal passion for the ocean, what it’s like working directly with fishing communities, and why participation and trust are just as important as numbers and statistics when it comes to protecting the ocean.

Whether you’re an angler, a science nerd, or someone who simply loves the ocean, this episode will give you a whole new appreciation for the data behind every cast— and how better data truly leads to better fishing.

Episode Show Notes (click for all the links!)

Learn more about APAIS

Apply to work with us on the APAIS Program!

Learn more about the Division of Marine Fisheries and the RI Marine Fisheries Council

Check out Nate's fish print art

Casey's Instagram - @caseysnook_

Podcast Instagram - @thisismarineconservation

Say hello! - casey@caseysnook.com

What happens to fishing gear when it’s lost at sea? And how does it impact whales, fisheries, and our oceans?

In this episode, I’m joined by Fritz McGirr, a former touring percussionist turned marine biologist and self-proclaimed “ocean garbage fella.” Fritz works with the Center for Coastal Studies in Provincetown, Massachusetts, where he helps recover ghost gear (ALDFG: Abandoned, Lost, or Otherwise Discarded Fishing Gear).

We talk about how derelict gear is located (from fisherman intel to sonar and grappling grids), what researchers record when gear is pulled up, how this work connects to North Atlantic right whale protection, and why “recycling” isn’t as simple as we’ve been told. Fritz also shares small, realistic ways to reduce plastic—and a hopeful ocean win tied to Boston Harbor.

Episode Show Notes

Fritz's Instagram - @FritzMcGirr

Check out the Center for Coastal Studies and its Marine Debris and Plastics Program

Learn to freedive with Fritz at East Coast Divers

Casey's Instagram - @caseysnook_

Podcast Instagram - @thisismarineconservation

Say hello! - casey@caseysnook.com

What is the High Seas Treaty, and why is it being called one of the biggest ocean conservation wins in decades? In this beginner-friendly episode of This Is Marine Conservation, I break down the High Seas Treaty (also known as the UN agreement on biodiversity beyond national jurisdiction) and explain what it means for the future of the ocean.

You’ll learn what the high seas are, why they’ve been so difficult to protect, how this treaty makes large-scale marine protected areas possible, and why protecting the high seas matters to everyone, even if you live far from the coast. I also explain what treaty ratification means, when the agreement became legally binding, what happens next, and how you can take action to support high seas protection.

Episode Show Notes

Learn more about the United Nations BBNJ Agreement

Send a message to your country's government urging them to ratify the High Seas Treaty (takes literally 2 minutes!)

Casey's Instagram - @caseysnook_

Podcast Instagram - @thisismarineconservation

Say hello! - casey@caseysnook.com