Ologies with Alie Ward Oceanology (THE OCEAN) with Ayana Johnson: Encore Presentation
Aug 18, 2020
Ocean and policy expert, Dr. Ayana Johnson, discusses the wonders and challenges of the ocean. From weird ocean trivia to the sad stuff like ocean health, climate change, acidification, and pollution, she provides tools and information to help understand and save our friend, the World Ocean. Topics include coral reefs, sustainable seafood choices, scuba diving vs. snorkeling, the impact of plastic waste, and a garbage gobbling machine called the Trash Wheel.
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Coral Reef Epiphany
- At age five, Ayana Johnson saw a coral reef for the first time while on a glass-bottom boat in the Florida Keys.
- This sparked her lifelong fascination with the ocean and led her to pursue a career in marine biology.
Ocean Conservation Puzzle
- Ocean conservation requires a holistic, interdisciplinary approach, encompassing science, policy, communication, law, and economics.
- Human actions are the primary drivers of ocean challenges, not the ocean itself.
Fish Trap Redesign
- Dr. Johnson's research led to the redesign of fish traps in Curaçao, reducing bycatch by 80% without impacting fishermen's income.
- This involved a simple, low-tech solution: adding escape gaps to existing traps, demonstrating the effectiveness of practical interventions.