Ocean Pod

In this episode of Ocean Pod, join Nina and Bronwyn for a relaxed chat all about scuba diving! We share our first experiences underwater, how we got our dive licences, how you can get your own dive licence, and why we love exploring the ocean beneath the surface.
Whether you’re a seasoned diver, dreaming of getting certified, or just curious about what lies beneath the waves, this episode is for you. 🌊🤿
In this weeks tide talk, Bronwyn speaks about reef life survey - you can read more here: https://reeflifesurvey.com
Nina talks about humpback whale migration using citizen science photos - the paper can be found here: https://doi.org/10.1098/rsos.260251

Have you ever wondered who helps make marine science happen behind the scenes?
In this episode of Ocean Pod, we’re joined by marine research assistant Rhiannon Van Eck to explore what it's really like to work behind the scenes in a marine science laboratory. From seafood fraud and fish ageing to microplastics, science outreach, and graphic design, Rhiannon's role spans an incredible variety of projects that keep research moving forward.
We discuss what a research assistant actually does, what a typical day looks like, and how the role differs from that of a PhD student or academic researcher. Rhiannon also shares how her background in graphic design has become a valuable part of communicating science, and why creativity and communication are just as important as technical skills.
Join us as we go behind the science and discover the people who help turn ideas into research!
Nina's tide talk this week spoke about a recent study that used eDNA to find traces of the giant squid in Ningaloo reef - read it here: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/edn3.70261
Bronwyn spoke about a new Aboriginal-led south coast sea urchin enterprise: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-05-17/nsw-government-grant-aboriginal-led-sea-urchin-enterprise/106627704

In this episode of Ocean Pod, we’re diving into the fascinating world of cephalopods – the incredible group of marine animals that includes octopus, squid, nautilus and cuttlefish. Known for their remarkable intelligence, rapid colour-changing abilities, and extraordinary behaviours, cephalopods are some of the ocean’s most captivating creatures. We explore what makes them so unique, how they are responding to our changing oceans, and why they are becoming increasingly important for fisheries around the world.
We’re joined by marine ecologist Dr Zoe Doubleday from Adelaide University, whose research spans marine ecology, fisheries, and animal biology. Zoe shares her passion for cephalopods, discusses the science behind their fascinating behaviours, explains their role in sustainable seafood and food security, and highlights why communicating science beyond academia is so important.

In this episode of Ocean Pod, we take a journey to one of the most remote and extreme environments on Earth - Antarctica.
We’re joined by Dr Tess Cole, who shares her firsthand experiences working in this chilly (literally) environment. From the logistics of living and working on the frozen continent to the incredible wildlife that live there, Tess gives us a glimpse into what it’s really like to conduct research at the bottom of the world.
We explore the unique challenges of Antarctic fieldwork, including extreme weather, isolation, and the complexities of conducting science in such a fragile environment. Tess also discusses the importance of Antarctic research in understanding global climate systems, ocean processes, and the impacts of environmental change.
If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to live and work in one of the most untouched places on the planet, this episode offers a fascinating insight into science at the edge of the world.
In this weeks episode of tide talk Nina spoke about using old cans of fish to look at parasites in salmon - https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.11043

In this episode of Ocean Pod, we are talking about oyster reefs - one of Australia’s most important, yet often overlooked, marine ecosystems. Once widespread along our coastlines, oyster reefs supported incredible biodiversity, improved water quality, and provided vital habitat for marine life. Today, however, they are largely gone.
We’re joined by marine ecologist Dr Dominic McAfee from Adelaide University, who is leading large-scale oyster reef restoration efforts across South Australia through the 25 Reefs Project. Dom shares insights into what we’ve lost, why oyster reefs matter, and how scientists, communities, and industry are working together to bring them back.
In this episode's tide talk Bronwyn talks about the recent Ghoti paper in Fish and Fisheries on aquaculture feed, you can read it here: https://doi.org/10.1111/faf.70080.
Nina talks about baby corals in the Great Barrier Reef, which you can read more about here: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-03-30/thousands-of-baby-corals-transplanted-onto-great-barrier-reef/106502008