After nearly two decades of negotiations, the world has finally agreed on a framework to protect the high seas - that vast expanse of ocean beyond any nation's control that covers nearly half our planet's surface. On January 17th, 2026, the BBNJ Agreement (Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction), commonly known as the High Seas Treaty, officially enters into force, becoming international law.

Join us as we explore this historic moment with two experts at the heart of the effort. Jeremy Raguain, who works with the Alliance of Small Island States, shares insights on Africa's leadership in the negotiations and what meaningful capacity building looks like for developing nations. Rebecca Hubbard, Director of the High Seas Alliance, takes us through the coalition-building journey from 2002 to today, explaining the treaty's four pillars: marine protected areas, equitable benefit-sharing from marine genetic resources, environmental impact assessments, and capacity building.

This isn't just another international agreement - it's the missing piece that could finally allow us to protect 30% of the ocean by 2030, ensure that benefits from ocean resources flow equitably to all nations, and shift away from "parachute science" toward true partnerships. From small island nations reclaiming their identity as "big ocean states" to the complex work of enforcing protections in the world's most remote waters, this episode explores what becomes possible when the world comes together to protect what belongs to us all.

Whether you live on a coast or in a landlocked country, half the oxygen you breathe comes from the ocean. Its health is humanity's health. Discover why this treaty matters for everyone, and what you can do to support its implementation.

Featured Guests:

• Jeremy Raguain, AOSIS Fellowship Director & Ocean Governance Specialist
• Rebecca Hubbard, Director of the High Seas Alliance

Episode Length: 35-40 minutes

What happens when you combine marine biology expertise with immersive art? You get the world's only cartoon aquarium—and it's right here in Portland.

Join us as we explore the Portland Aquarium, an innovative art installation that's reimagining ocean education. Artist Mike Bennett and marine biologist Chanel Hason have created an experience featuring over 100 hand-painted marine species across six biomes—with zero live animals and maximum imagination.

Discover how this unique collaboration addresses real challenges in science communication: How do you show people a blue whale or giant squid when you can't keep them in captivity? How do you bring ocean education to communities without access to traditional aquariums? And how can art become a gateway to marine conservation?

From the technical details of getting sea otter tails scientifically accurate to the emotional power of painted seagulls with flapping wings, Mike and Chanel share the story of transforming a vacant downtown Portland space into a hub of creativity, education, and community connection—complete with support for real conservation work through the Elakha Alliance's sea otter reintroduction efforts.

Mike Bennett - Portland-based artist and creator of immersive educational installations including the Portland Aquarium

Chanel Hason - Marine biologist and Director of Outreach & Community Relations at Elakha Alliance

• The intersection of art and marine science education
• Advantages of artistic representations versus traditional aquariums
• Scientific accuracy in creative work (yes, sea otter tail length matters!)
• Bringing ocean education to landlocked communities
• Creating community spaces through immersive art
• Supporting marine conservation through creative collaboration
• The Elakha Alliance's work to reintroduce sea otters to Oregon

• Why Portland's cartoon aquarium features species you'd never see in a traditional aquarium—like blue whales and giant squid
• How Mike's childhood visits to the Baltimore Aquarium inspired a career in immersive animal education
• The viral success of Mike's pandemic-era "A, B, Sea" installation that attracted 1,000+ visitors to his front yard
• Chanel's emotional connection to seeing the first footage of a living giant squid
• How the installation transformed a downtown corner from "graffiti and cigarette butts" to "sidewalk chalk and bubbles"
• The truth about blobfish: why they look so different at the surface versus the deep sea
• Creating animatronic seagulls and working with composer RAC to bring the installation to life
• Plans for a portable version to bring ocean education to schools in landlocked states

Organizations:

• Elakha Alliance - Working to reintroduce sea otters to the Oregon coast
• Big Fish Lab at Oregon State University
• Imaginary Planet - Portland animation studio

The Portland Aquarium

• Location: Broadway & Alder, Downtown Portland, Oregon
• Open 7 days a week
• Instagram: @theportlandaquarium
• General admission: $14 | Children 2-12: $10 | Under 2: Free

Coming Soon: Zoo Aquarium Podcast - Mike and Chanel's upcoming show answering kids' questions about animals

"It's the only cartoon aquarium in the world, which I think is really special. And there's a blue whale in the aquarium and some wild deep sea critters that couldn't be held in captivity no matter how you tried." - Chanel Hason

The Portland Aquarium demonstrates how creative collaboration between artists and scientists can solve real problems in science communication and conservation outreach. By making ocean education accessible, affordable, and imaginative, Mike and Chanel are proving that wonder—and learning—can come in many forms.

Ocean Science Radio brings you the latest, greatest, and sometimes deepest stories in the ocean. Hosted by Andrew Kornblatt and Dr. Frances Farabaugh.

What happens after you flush? Most of us don't think about it—but maybe we should. In this eye-opening episode, we dive into one of the ocean's biggest but least discussed threats: wastewater pollution.

Join us as we talk with Jos Hill, Program Director for The Nature Conservancy's Wastewater Pollution Program and creator of the groundbreaking podcast "waste(d)water." Jos reveals the shocking scale of this crisis: 80% of wastewater worldwide is inadequately treated, 58% of coral reefs are exposed to wastewater pollution, and wastewater accounts for a staggering 40% of coastal nutrient pollution—nearly as much as agriculture.

Discover how even highly treated wastewater can devastate marine ecosystems, why coral disease outbreaks in the Florida Keys have been traced back to human gut pathogens, and how nutrient-rich wastewater is making coral reefs more vulnerable to marine heat waves and climate change.

But this isn't just doom and gloom—Jos shares inspiring recovery stories from Kaneohe Bay in Hawaii and Tampa Bay in Florida, proving that when pollution is addressed, ecosystems can bounce back. Learn about innovative nature-based solutions, including treatment gardens that clean water while growing food for coastal communities.

From the intersection of wastewater pollution and social justice to practical steps you can take in your own community, this conversation breaks the taboo around a topic that affects every person on the planet. As Jos reminds us: everyone goes to the toilet, so this issue is relevant to everyone.

It's time to start talking about the dirty secret of ocean pollution—because we can't solve problems we won't discuss.

Featured Guest: Jos Hill, Program Director, Wastewater Pollution Program, The Nature Conservancy

Learn more: Check out the waste(d)water podcast and follow @wastedwaterpod wherever you listen to podcasts.