Unchatted Waters
Setting sail on a voyage of discovery across Unchatted Waters…
Welcome to Cefas' podcast series, Unchatted Waters. Join our host, Kirsty Bradley, Fisheries Scientist and Science Communicator, as she talks to the people behind the science. The Unchatted Waters podcast aims to share some of the big science themes that affect us all, including marine biodiversity, food security, ecosystems, aquatic animal and human health. We talk about innovation, big topics, personal stories as well as fun facts. By breaking down the complexity of the topics, we hope to inspire and engage our listeners. All you need is to be curious about science! Find the first 6 episodes below or on your usual podcast provider, and keep a look out for more episodes, including episodes covering climate change, water quality and marine protected areas. If you need a transcript for any of the episodes, please contact us. Alternatively, the episodes are available on YouTube and a transcript option can be used there.
Episode 1
One health
Guests: Grant Stentiford, Chief Scientist and Julie Bremner, Principal Marine Ecologist.
In this episode, we will be talking about aquatic food production. So if you are hungry for a discussion on seafood, this episode is for you. We discuss catching and farming our seafood, as well as feeding global appetites both now and in the future. So, grab your knife and fork as we tuck into this delicious topic.
This episode is also available on YouTube and a transcript option can be used there.
Episode 2
Seaweed
Guests: Elisa Capuzzo, Ecosystem Scientist and Keith Jeffery, Principal Aquaculture Scientist.
In this episode, we'll be exploring the fascinating world of farming our seafood both across time and across the globe. We will get a taste of how seaweed is becoming a versatile ingredient in this growing sector. As usual our jargon alarm will make sure we explain any technical information. We recommend this episode features on everyone's menu.
This episode is also available on YouTube and a transcript option can be used there.
Episode 3
Surveys
Guests: Jeroen van der Kooij, Principal Fisheries Scientist and Sam Barnett, Fisheries Scientist.
In this episode, we’ll be donning our lifejackets, putting on our wellies and exploring how we carry out scientific surveys at sea. We’ll discuss how we sample across the entire food web from the smallest phytoplankton to the largest fin whales. During our voyage we will talk about the people and technology that help us understand the ocean’s ecosystem … so welcome onboard.
This episode is also available on YouTube and a transcript option can be used there.
Episode 4
Human health
Guests: Craig Baker-Austin, Senior Bacteriologist Scientist and Andy Powell, Microbiologist.
In this episode, we will be talking about the microscopic world of pathogens, bacteria and viruses, but most importantly how to keep our seafood safe to eat, considering human health now and in the future. So make sure you pop the cork on that champagne, get your oysters ready, as we peel back the shell into this fascinating topic.
This episode is also available on YouTube and a transcript option can be used there.
Episode 5
Animal health
Guests: David Verner-Jeffreys, Senior Microbiologist Scientist and Chris Evans, Head of the Fish Health Inspectorate.
In this episode, we talk about preventing disease outbreaks to ensure we can farm our seafood successfully. We learn about the work of our Fish Health Inspectors as they travel across England and Wales, as well as laboratory testing to uncover where diseases come from and how to stop their spread. If you love a jigsaw puzzle, then this is the episode for you.
This episode is also available on YouTube and a transcript option can be used there.
Episode 6
Tags
Guests: Serena Wright, Fisheries Scientists and Jim Ellis, Fisheries Ecologist.
In this episode, we’ll serve up a twist on the British classic. We will explore what the electronic microchips used in our fish tags can tell us about where fish go, helping to give an insight into population movements and migration. So grab your salt and vinegar and let’s take a bite into this fascinating topic about fish and chips.
This episode is also available on YouTube and a transcript option can be used there.
Episode 7
Oceanography
Guests: Piyali Chowdhury, Senior Coastal Scientist and Stephen Dye, Principal Marine Climate Scientist
In this episode we explore how our ocean moves, from waves crashing on the seashore to the ocean conveyor belt moving across the globe. If you find yourself looking out at the sea and want to understand more of its secrets, join this episode… and you may just uncover a treasure trove of information, hidden in a message in a bottle.
This episode is also available on YouTube and a transcript option can be used there.
Episode 8
climate change
Guests: John Pinnegar, World Leading Climate Scientist and Susana Lincoln, Senior Climate Change Scientist
In this episode we talk about one of the greatest challenges of our generation, climate change. More specifically we learn about how temperature changes impact the ocean, and how we can come together to adapt to the changes we’re seeing now, to protect our future. If you’d like to learn more and hear interesting stories on how we can tackle this challenge, then this is the episode for you.
This episode is also available on YouTube and a transcript option can be used there.
Episode 9
ocean sounds
Guests: Nathan Merchant, Principal Scientist and Rosalyn Putland, Senior Scientist
In this episode, we dip our ears into the ocean and listen to the amazing soundscape beneath the waves. We discuss what we can hear underwater, from earth, animals and humans that contribute to the instruments, players and composition of a symphony. So submerge yourself in this episode as we open your ears to the magic of the ocean's orchestra, and a 1, 2, 3, 4 ...
This episode is also available on YouTube and a transcript option can be used there.
Episode 10
marine litter
Guests: Briony Silburn, Marine Litter Scientist and Holly Nel, Marine Litter Scientist
In this episode, we talk about marine litter. So, if you’re at your bathroom sink daydreaming about your day ahead, this episode talks about where that toothbrush might end up when you’ve finished using it. We talk about marine litter monitoring and how changing our behaviour and attitude can bring about positive change, making sure humans only leave footprints for future generations.
This episode is also available on YouTube and a transcript option can be used there.
episode 11
pollution
Guests: Michelle Devlin Principal Pollution Scientist and Andy Smith Principal Ecotoxocologist
In this episode we talk about “the colour of pollution”, we discuss the sources of marine pollution, from the chemicals found to some of the impacts on systems such as food webs. We explore detection, monitoring, indicators and global objectives that contribute to prioritising where we can take action to reduce harm to our ocean.
This episode is also available on YouTube and a transcript option can be used there.
episode 12
biodiversity
Guests: Peter Barry Marine Benthic Taxonomist and Murray Thompson Biodveristy & Foodweb Specialist
In this episode we talk about biodiversity in a changing world, from what contributes defining biodiversity, to the past, present and future approaches used to discover new species. So, if you are curious about evolution, food webs or even tree of life, and how we untangle these complex topics, then this is the episode for you.
This episode is also available on YouTube and a transcript option can be used there.
episode 13
marine protected areas
Guests: Alison Pettafor Seabed Scientist and Oliver Hogg Southern Ocean Scientist
In this episode we explore Marine Protected Areas, from mapping uncharted areas of the seafloor, to understanding how plants and animals use habitats across the globe. So if you’re interested in exploring the many threads of information behind that patchwork quilt of MPAs, then join us as we get in the zone!
This episode is also available on YouTube and a transcript option can be used there.
episode 14
blue carbon
Guests: Lisa Benson Marine Scientist and Ruth Parker Biogeochemist
In this episode we discuss blue carbon, a key tool in the climate change toolbox. We explore how marine habitats can lock away atmospheric carbon, from our coasts to the distant seafloor, both locally and globally. Most importantly though, we discuss the importance of partnering up with nature, to “top up” how we tackle climate change.
This episode is also available on YouTube and a transcript option can be used there.
