Oceans: Life Under Water

May 12 2024 13 ep. 80

Oceans: Life Under Water Podcast artwork

What does it sound like at the bottom of the ocean? How does it feel to swim with a humpback whale and her calf? What does an octopus' tentacle feel like when it wraps itself around you? Come and find out in this 12-part series.

Wildlife filmmaker, zoologist and broadcaster Hannah Stitfall wants to take you to the world beneath the waves. Over 12 episodes, she'll be meeting freedivers, submarine pilots, whale experts, ship captains, marine biologists, and more, hearing the most mind-boggling stories about the oceans and the astonishing creatures that call them home. The hypnotic sound design and immersive storytelling will take you right there - from the Lost City to Galapagos, from the Mariana Trench to the Antarctic.

Brought to you by Crowd Network and Greenpeace UK, which helps us tell these stories beautifully and responsibly.

Producer: Anna Staufenberg.

Executive producer: Steve Jones.

Mixing and sound design: Anna Staufenberg.

Archive courtesy of Greenpeace.

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12 | The Treaty & The Future

May 12 2024 51 mins

In this final episode, we're looking to the future. The Oceans Treaty which was finally passed last year after decades of negotiations was momentous - but what actually is it? And will it do anything? Senior Policy Advisor Lisa Speer was at the UN HQ in New York when the announcement was made, and joins Hannah to break down what it means, why it's exciting - and what obstacles stil

11 | Changing Oceans

May 05 2024 47 mins

Everyone knows the oceans are changing. Sea levels are rising, the water's heating up, coral is bleaching. But away from the scary stats, what do the changing oceans actually look like - what impact are they having on us now? Hannah is joined by climate activist Shaama Sandooyea, who explains how climate change is impacting her home nation of Mauritius, and grammy-nominated DJ and

10 | Galápagos

Apr 28 2024 33 mins

Hannah's been getting updates from onboard the Arctic Sunrise, one of Greenpeace's research ships, since the beginning of the series - from Panama where it set sail out into the Galápagos Islands marine reserve. We heard as it crossed the equator, and we've learnt about the pioneering research the scientists and volunteers have already done on seamounts in the area. And now, they'

9 | Sharks

Apr 14 2024 40 mins

Hollywood has a lot to answer for when it comes to how we view sharks. The Great White, we all know. But sharks have been around since before the dinosaurs, and in that time they've evolved into 538 different species of all different shapes and sizes - and counting. Sharks with glow-in-the-dark armpits, sharks that can fit in your pocket, sharks with spots, sharks with frills. Isla

8 | People Of The Sea

Apr 07 2024 38 mins

3 billion people rely on the oceans for their livelihoods. But who are they? What are their stories? Hannah's moving away from the ocean's wild animals and meeting its humans instead. She's joined by lifelong fisherman Jerry Percy, and speaks with freediver and ocean advocate Hanli Prinsloo about who the oceans are for. Also - Frida Bengtsson, a researcher who focuses on fisheries

7 | Octopuses

Mar 31 2024 38 mins

They're like aliens from another planet. There are over 300 species and counting, from the size of your fingernail to 10 metres across. They live on the ocean's surface, and in its darkest depths. But how intelligent are they, really? How do they use tools? And what's it like to meet one in the wild? Eminent marine biologist and science communicator Helen Scales joins Hannah in the

6 | Wild West Of The High Seas

Mar 24 2024 41 mins

Did you know that pretty much anything goes in international waters? Past a certain point somewhere beyond the coast, national jurisdiction ends and the Wild West begins. There's no police force for the ocean, so with rampant piracy, smuggling and illegal fishing - who's in charge? Maritime lawyer Richard Caddell joins Hannah in the studio. Also - we meet Steve Truluck, whose life

5 | Mountains Under The Waves

Mar 17 2024 38 mins

The world's longest mountain range is actually in the middle of the ocean - the mid-Atlantic ridge, at more than 40,000 miles long. But who knows about these mountains? How high are they? Where are they? What lives on them? Hannah is joined by South African actress and TV presenter Amanda Du Pont, who spent two weeks on a Greenpeace ship on a research expedition to Mount Vema in 20

4 | Antarctica

Mar 10 2024 37 mins

Antarctica is one of the harshest environments you can imagine. Winds can reach 200mph and the lowest temperature ever recorded was -89 degrees Celsius. But the monochrome above the waves is matched by the explosion of colour beneath them. The Southern Ocean is home to more than 9000 species, many of which can only be found there. Hannah is joined by scientist Lucy Woodall, who led

3 | Whales

Mar 03 2024 43 mins

Hannah's asking all the questions you ever wanted to know about whales. Did you know they have culture? She's joined by whale legend Hal Whitehead, whose close encounters with sperm whales and understanding of their culture has completely changed how we view these enormous animals. Also - we've had an update from the team onboard the Arctic Sunrise, the research ship that's on its