NOAA Ocean Podcast

Harmful algal blooms occur when an overgrowth of algae produces toxins in a body of water, affecting fish, shellfish, marine mammals, birds, and even people. Ecological forecasting is an important tool for protection from these blooms. Join this coastal conversation with Steve Kibler, an oceanographer with the National Ocean Service, and Kasey Jo Wright, an environmental technician with the Kodiak Area Native Association, as they discuss harmful algal bloom forecasting in Alaska and its effects on shellfish harvesting within Indigenous communities. NOAA Ocean Podcast: Episode 82 - Coastal Conversation: Harmful algal bloom forecasting in Alaska

Attention beachgoers! Don’t let ocean and shoreline hazards keep you from enjoying your time at the beach this summer; instead, boost your “Blue IQ” through this episode. Listen to ocean and coastal safety expert Bruckner Chase discuss common beach hazards and best practices to keep you and your loved ones safe in the surf. NOAA Ocean Podcast: Episode 81 - Boost Your Blue IQ

Fifteen years ago, NOAA played a critical role in the initial response, assessment, and development of a restoration plan following the Deepwater Horizon oil spill — the largest offshore oil spill in U.S. history. In this episode, we’re joined by experts Doug Helton and Lisa DiPinto from the National Ocean Service’s Office of Response and Restoration to discuss the earliest moments of the response, and the progress made over the past 15 years to advance oil spill science and technologies. NOAA Ocean Podcast: Episode 80 - Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill: 15 Years of Advancing Science

Since 2007, NOAA’s National Ocean Service has been working to update the National Spatial Reference System. This huge project will modernize the system for measuring the horizontal positions and vertical elevations of the United States and its territories. During the course of this work, NOAA scientists realized that the heights of Colorado’s famous “Fourteeners” — or mountains with peak elevations of at least 14,000 feet — had been overestimated. In this episode, we learn why this occurred, how this impacts the status of these mountains, and what benefits this project will have for the nation. Our featured expert is Derek van Westrum, physicist with NOAA’s National Geodetic Survey. NOAA Ocean Podcast: Episode 79 -Moving Mountains

Marine debris is a large and global problem. Plastics, metals, rubber, fishing gear, and other lost and discarded items enter our ocean, Great Lakes, waterways, and coastal areas every day. This challenging problem can cause negative impacts to wildlife, the environment, and the economy. In this episode, we chat with our expert, Sophie Maginnes, communication specialist with NOAA’s Marine Debris Program. NOAA Ocean Podcast: Episode 78 - Marine Debris - Talking Trash

Rising waters can spell trouble for coastal areas. The impacts of high tide flooding can range from longer commute times to business closures and construction delays. NOAA plays a vital role in helping communities prepare for and respond to flooding threats. This episode features a panel of experts from NOAA’s Center for Operational Oceanographic Products and Services. We’re joined by oceanographers Analise Keeney and Karen Kavanaugh and chief scientist Greg Dusek, Ph.D. NOAA Ocean Podcast: Episode 77 -High Tide Flooding

In this episode, we travel to Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary. Boasting rugged coastlines and encompassing over 3,000 square miles, this special place is home to a rich abundance of marine mammals, seabirds, fish, and invertebrate communities. We explore this area’s origins, maritime culture, and historical legacy, as well as ways you can dive into all our sanctuaries. Our featured expert is Chris Butler-Minor, a community engagement specialist with NOAA’s Office of National Marine Sanctuaries. NOAA Ocean Podcast: Episode 76 -Sanctuary Spotlight: Olympic Coast

Not all reefs in the ocean are naturally occurring. Artificial reefs are human-made structures that come in a variety of shapes and sizes. In this episode, we learn about what they are, the benefits they provide, and how the first study was conducted to calculate how much of the seafloor is covered by these reefs. Episode permanent link, transcript, and show notes

Hurricanes are powerful storms that can threaten life and property. We revisit an episode with our podcast hosts as they discuss the roles of the National Ocean Service in hurricane preparedness, response, and recovery and how you can prepare for this year’s hurricane season. Episode permanent link, transcript, and show notes

With origins tracing back more than 200 years, NOAA’s National Geodetic Survey is in the business of "knowing where things are." In this episode, we go behind the scenes with NGS Director Juliana Blackwell to get an insider perspective on NGS’s history and mission. She also shares her personal experience as the office’s first female director. Episode permanent link, transcript, and show notes

In this episode, we explore how scientists across the National Estuarine Research Reserve System conducted the first-ever North American wildlife inventory of these habitats. We chat with Dr. Kenny Raposa, research coordinator at Rhode Island’s Narragansett Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve and lead scientist for the study. Episode permanent link, transcript, and show notes

When temperatures rise, coral bleaching can occur. In this episode, we explore what happens during bleaching events, how corals are affected, and how we can help protect these important ecosystems. We’re joined by coral expert Dana Wusinich-Mendez, Atlantic and Caribbean team lead, and Florida management liaison for NOAA's Coral Reef Conservation Program. Episode permanent link, transcript, and show notes

In this episode, we revisit a previous podcast on these storm-fueled waves and discuss how they differ from tsunamis. We're joined by Dr. Gregory Dusek, senior scientist with NOAA's National Ocean Service, to discuss his study on meteotsunamis.<

When it comes to oil spills and their impacts on marine environments, water and oil don’t mix. In this episode, we chat with an oil spill response expert and share some weird facts about oil and oil contamination. Episode permanent link, transcript, and show notes

In this episode, we're heading to the Florida Keys, the only place in the continental United States with shallow water coral reefs. But these corals are not the only thing that make the Keys special. We're joined by Brenda Altmeier, maritime heritage coordinator for Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary to tell us the story of the Florida Keys through maritime history to give you just a taste of why this place is unlike anywhere else in the nation. Episode permanent link, transcript, and show notes

In this podcast, we dig into the science behind sand: the ways it’s formed, the benefits it provides ecosystems, and the protection it offers coastal communities. We’re joined by Dr. Matt Kendall, marine biologist with NOAA’s National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science. Episode permanent link, transcript, and show notes

Rip currents pose a threat to those that spend time in the ocean or Great Lakes. In this episode, Dr. Gregory Dusek, senior scientist with NOAA’s National Ocean Service, talks with us about rip currents, NOAA’s national rip current forecast model, and ways to protect yourself and others from this public safety risk. Episode permanent link, transcript, and show notes

Gliders are autonomous, uncrewed, underwater vehicles that collect data — providing scientists with a more complete picture of what is happening in the ocean and the Great Lakes. In this episode, we dive deep with Kathleen Bailey, glider program manager with NOAA’s U.S. Integrated Ocean Observing System, to learn more about these versatile vehicles.

In this episode, we present a podcast from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) called Engineering with Nature®. The show features a panel of experts discussing their research on how blue carbon is helping to address climate change.

Seagrasses are plants that grow in semi salty water to full seawater in the intertidal and subtidal zones of the ocean. As one of the most productive ecosystems in the world, seagrasses offer myriad benefits to both humans and the organisms that call them home. In this episode, we explore some of the ecosystem services they offer. Episode permanent link, transcript, and show notes