Denise is the Founder and Research Director of The Wild Dolphin Project, a non-profit research initiative studying the behavior, social structure, and communication of Atlantic spotted dolphins in the wild for more than three decades. Learn more about the longest running underwater dolphin research project in the world, their hands-off approach to learning about these marine mammals, and their cutting edge attempts at two-way communication. In this episode we also discuss ways to get involved with Wild Dolphin Project through membership, Bahamas field-work participation, internships, and events. Follow Wild Dolphin Project on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Wild.Dolphin.Project Follow Wild Dolphin Project on Instagram: www.instagram.com/wilddolphinproject Follow Wild Dolphin Project on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/wdolphinp Visit their website: www.wilddolphinproject.org Photo By: Bethany Augliere

Paul is a shark bite survivor now passionately advocating for the conservation of sharks worldwide through public speaking, writing, and TV presenting on programs like Discovery Channel's Shark Week. In this episode we discuss how even after losing two limbs to a bull shark in 2009 as a Navy Clearance Diver, Paul has come to realize that sharks are truly incredible animals that need respect and protection. Paul also shares why he chooses to eat a plant-based diet and how his profound relationship with the ocean inspires him to care for all life above and below the water. Follow Paul on Instagram: www.instagram.com/pauldegelder Follow Paul on Twitter: www.twitter.com/PauldeGelder Visit Paul's website: www.pauldegelder.com Photo By: Ian Kasnoff

Ando is the co-founder and Chief Technology Officer of Ballast Technologies, the world's first aquatic virtual reality company. Inspired by his love for the ocean and his desire to increase empathy, Ando is applying his skills in developing technologies to help connect humans with the ocean in a fully immersive experience. In this episode we discuss Ando's childhood in India that included an extreme fear of water, a profound experience diving with whales in Mozambique, his views on the true value of virtual reality, and so much more. Visit Ballast's website: www.ballastvr.com Follow Ando on Instagram: www.instagram.com/andoshah Visit Ando's personal website: www.ando.xyz

Jack is the Community Conservation Officer at Project AWARE (sister non-profit to PADI, the world's leading scuba training organization). Through his incredible passion for the underwater world, his knowledge of ecotourism, and his skills in scuba diving, Jack is inspiring ocean lovers around the world to become involved in ocean conservation efforts. Whether you're a diver, a snorkeler, or simply a beach-goer, this episode will provide you with lots of ways to get more involved in ocean conservation initiatives like Dive Against Debris surveys, REEF fish ID surveys, and AWARE Week events. Follow Jack on Instagram: www.instagram.com/jackfish44 Find an AWARE Week event: www.padi.com/aware-week/join Visit Project AWARE's website: www.projectaware.org Follow Project AWARE on Instagram: www.instagram.com/projectaware Follow PADI on Instagram: www.instagram.com/paditv This Ocean Allison Podcast episode is brought to you by Kraken Sports, high quality scuba diving photo and video equipment. Visit www.krakensports.ca to learn more.

Lauren is a Marine Scientist based on Maui, creating waves of change when it comes to single-use plastic pollution. She is at the forefront of ocean plastics research on Maui, and also plays a vital role in advocating for regulations on plastic materials like polystyrene (styrofoam). She is an all around ocean-lover creating positive change for the ocean through science, policy, and education! Follow Lauren on Instagram: www.instagram.com/oneswelllife Visit her website: www.swellinitiative.org

Andrea is the co-founder of Marine Megafauna Foundation, studying manta ray populations worldwide in order to protect and conserve these ocean giants. Andrea was the first person to ever study manta rays for her PhD, discovered an entirely new species of manta, created a manta ray photo database encouraging citizen science, and has been highly influential in getting the need for manta conservation recognized globally. She is truly the Queen of Mantas! Follow Andrea on Instagram: www.instagram.com/queenofmantas/?hl=en Visit Marine Megafauna Foundation's website: www.marinemegafaunafoundation.org Visit Ray of Hope Expedition's website: www.queenofmantas.com/ray-of-hope-expeditions Contribute to Manta Matcher: www.mantamatcher.org This Ocean Allison Podcast episode is brought to you by Kraken Sports, high quality scuba diving photo and video equipment. Visit www.krakensports.ca to learn more.

Martina is a marine scientist currently traveling from Tijuana to Patagonia on an 8 month tour educating as many people as possible on the issues and solutions to plastic pollution. At the same time she is earning her masters degree in environmental management with a focus on waste management strategies in remote coastal areas. In this episode we talk about her childhood in Argentina, her experience working in Panama with the United Nations Environment Program to ban single-use plastic bags, and her optimistic outlook on the future of how we interact with plastics. Follow Martina on Facebook: www.facebook.com/nimisvara Follow Martina on Instagram: www.instagram.com/martinademarcos Check out her Indigogo campaign: www.indiegogo.com/projects/dona-x-menos-basura-plastica-en-america-latina-grx-love-water#

Francesca is a London-based artist using her incredible paintings to communicate science and conservation topics to the world, most recently highlighting the beauty and importance of sharks in response to the global decline of shark populations. In this episode we discuss how her experiences as a scuba diver and her connection to the natural word have inspired her art to focus on painting ocean animals to start important conversations and how along the way she's even been inspired to make lifestyle changes including eating a vegan diet. Visit her website: www.francescapageart.com Visit her Etsy shop: www.etsy.com/shop/Francescaapage Follow her on Instagram: www.instagram.com/francescaapage

Alex, just like all of you, is an Ocean Allison Podcast listener, now on his way to becoming a Marine Biologist. After listening to almost every episode while on deployments with the Navy, Alex was inspired to make a career change and pursue his interest in ocean science and conservation. After listening to Alex's inspiring story, you can follow him on Instagam to learn more: www.instagram.com/alex_oceans. Big thank you to all you ocean-loving listeners out there, your stories inspire me greatly!

Christine is the co-founder of Blueye Robotics, a Norway-based technology start-up developing underwater drones that can allow you to explore nearly 500 feet beneath the ocean's surface and live stream to any device all at the same time! In this episode, Christine and I chat about her experiences that led her to Blueye, the fundamental ethos of exploration Blueye Robotics has, and the importance of connecting people with our blue planet. Visit the Blueye website: https://www.blueyerobotics.com/ Watch the Blueye YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWwdmVZ7uvHdf69nnWCCIKA Follow Blueye on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/blueyerobotics/ Follow Blueye on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blueyepioneer/ Follow Christine on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chspiten/

Anastasia is the founder of the Miami-based startup Lean Orb, using agricultural byproducts to create plant-based food service products and packaging that can actually be easily composted as opposed to tricky alternatives like bioplastics. Inspired by her connection to and appreciation of nature, her interest in the circular economy, and her desire to make a positive impact as an entrepreneur, she is making products to replace the single-use plastic and styrofoam items we wastefully and dangerously use, that often end up in the ocean. Visit Lean Orb's website: http://leanorb.com Follow Lean Orb on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/leanorb Follow Lean Orb on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lean_orb Visit Miami is not Plastic website: https://www.miamiisnotplastic.org