Best Fisheries Podcasts | Top Fisheries & Marine Conservation Podcasts
In recent years, the world has increasingly tuned into the ocean—not just as a source of food, but as a complex ecosystem under stress. Fisheries science, sustainable seafood, climate change, and labor practices at sea are not only matters of policy and economics, but of ecological and human well-being. Thanks to the rise of podcasting, it’s now easier than ever to dive deep into these topics from anywhere—with expert voices, field stories, and cutting-edge research all accessible through your headphones.
In 2025, as marine conservation becomes more urgent and fisheries management more sophisticated, fisheries podcasts are playing a pivotal role. Whether you’re a policy maker, marine biologist, fisherman, or an ocean-curious listener, these audio shows provide insight, inspiration, and education. The best fisheries podcasts combine storytelling with science, giving voice to the people on the frontline of ocean conservation.
Here are 10 top fisheries podcasts that bring together science, policy, community, and innovation. Listen in to stay informed, inspired, and engaged.
1. Dive In with NOAA Fisheries — Inside Science & Policy
Host(s): John Sheehan
Platform(s): Apple Podcasts, NOAA website, Podbean
Frequency: Biweekly (every other Thursday)
Best For: Listeners wanting in-depth insight into U.S. fisheries science, management, and conservation.
Overview: “Dive In with NOAA Fisheries” is produced by NOAA Fisheries, the U.S. government agency that manages marine resources and works on the science behind sustainable fishing. The podcast offers an insider’s look into laboratory research, field surveys, policy decisions, and community restoration efforts. Episodes feature biologists, policy-makers, and coastal residents discussing real-world challenges—from satellite monitoring of ocean health to rebuilding shrimp fisheries and restoring endangered species.
Key Takeaways / What You’ll Learn:
How NOAA conducts large-scale surveys to assess fish stocks.
The impact of climate change on marine ecosystems and fisheries.
Real-life stories of community-driven restoration efforts (e.g., GulfCorps).
Emerging technologies like gliders and remote sensing for better data.
Why It’s Worth Listening: This podcast is a must for anyone who wants credible, science-based information directly from the people doing the work. Host John Sheehan brings complex topics down to earth without oversimplifying, making cutting-edge marine science accessible and relevant.
Recommended Episode: “Building Futures: How GulfCorps Combines Habitat Restoration with Job Training” — a powerful story of ecological restoration and community empowerment.
2. The Fisheries Podcast — Fisheries Science & Research Stories
Host(s): A team of fisheries scientists (Conrad, Alanna, and others)
Platform(s): Apple Podcasts
Frequency: Weekly
Best For: Fisheries biologists, conservationists, graduate students, and science communicators.
Overview: This is a science-driven podcast where fisheries professionals interview each other, share case studies, and reflect on ongoing research. Past episodes cover topics like acoustic telemetry, barotrauma in catch-and-release fishing, traditional ecological knowledge, and shark research.
One recent conversation with Erin Wilson explores muskie movement ecology and biologging techniques. Because it’s run by working scientists, the discussions are deeply grounded in real research, data, and field challenges.
Key Takeaways / What You’ll Learn:
Advanced tracking and telemetry tools used in fish movement studies.
How anglers and scientists can collaborate for conservation.
The role of traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) in fisheries research.
Emerging concerns in marine health (gear impacts, bycatch, stress).
Why It’s Worth Listening: It’s refreshing to hear a peer-to-peer conversation rather than a formal science lecture. The hosts are passionate, curious, and candid. For listeners deeply invested in fisheries science, it’s like getting invited into a research lab discussion—without needing a PhD.
Episode Highlight: “Using Traditional Ecological Knowledge to Enhance Fisheries Research with Chessie Mason”
3. Aquademia: The Seafood Podcast — Sustainability & Aquaculture
Host(s): Global Seafood Alliance (GSA) team
Platform(s): Simplecast
Frequency: Irregular / by season (industry-driven)
Best For: Seafood industry professionals, sustainability advocates, aquaculture researchers.
Overview: Launched by the Global Seafood Alliance, “Aquademia” delves into sustainable aquaculture, seafood policy, and regenerative fisheries. One notable episode features Paul Bulcock of the Sustainable Fisheries Partnership, discussing regenerative shrimp farming and mangrove restoration.
The podcast is rooted in science but also very pragmatic, focusing on how policy, business, and ecology converge in real markets. It’s deeply relevant for those looking to understand how seafood sustainability works from both a business and ecological perspective.
Key Takeaways / What You’ll Learn:
Principles and case studies of regenerative aquaculture.
How aquaculture businesses can align profit with environmental responsibility.
Role of industry partnerships for sustainable seafood supply chains.
Policy frameworks and international collaboration in fisheries sustainability.
Why It’s Worth Listening: The podcast bridges the gap between science and practice. If you’re concerned about both the seafood on your plate and the health of marine ecosystems, this show offers clarity, insight, and hope.
Episode Highlight: “Regenerative Aquaculture with Paul Bulcock of Sustainable Fisheries Partnership”
4. Fish & Us: Climate Stories from the Waterfront — Climate & Community Voices
Host(s): Alliyah Lusuegro (Ocean Conservancy)
Platform(s): Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartRadio
Frequency: Varies (story-driven)
Best For: Listeners interested in climate change, fisheries policy, and coastal communities.
Overview: This podcast by Ocean Conservancy tells human stories from fishing communities at the frontlines of climate change. Host Alliyah Lusuegro interviews fishers, policy leaders, and scientists to explore how warming oceans and shifting fish populations affect their lives and livelihoods.
Themes include migration of fish stocks, economic resilience, and adaptation strategies. The podcast humanizes environmental change through the voices of people who live and work by the sea.
Key Takeaways / What You’ll Learn:
First-hand perspectives of fishers dealing with climate-driven changes.
How coastal communities adapt to shifting fish populations.
Policy responses to climate change in fisheries.
Intersections between environmental science and social justice.
Why It’s Worth Listening: “Fish & Us” offers a deeply human lens. It’s not just about ecosystems—it’s about people. For anyone wanting to understand the real-world consequences of climate change on fisheries, this podcast is compassionate, informative, and eye-opening.
5. Seafood Matters Podcast — UK Fishing, Policy & Industry Voices
Host(s): Jim Cowie
Platform(s): Apple Podcasts, YouTube, Spreaker
Frequency: Weekly
Best For: Industry stakeholders, policy analysts, and sustainable seafood advocates in the UK / Europe.
Overview: This podcast serves as a platform for discussing seafood sustainability, fisheries policy, and fishing industry economics through conversations with fishermen, scientists, and business leaders. Host Jim Cowie takes a balanced approach — exploring regulatory frameworks, environmental challenges, and the daily realities of fishing communities.
Episodes often focus on current events in fisheries, such as decarbonization of fleets, trade, and marine policy.
Key Takeaways / What You’ll Learn:
Current debates in UK / EU fisheries policy.
Business strategies for sustainable fishing enterprises.
Stories from fishers navigating regulation, conservation, and profitability.
Insight into seafood sustainability from a regional and global perspective.
Why It’s Worth Listening: This is one of the few podcasts that continuously bridges the gap between commercial fishing, science, and sustainable business in a European context. If you want to understand fisheries in policy-rich geographies like the UK and EU, this show is highly relevant.
6. Fishy Work — Labour & Governance at Sea
Host(s): Alin Kadfak (Siani / civil society)
Platform(s): FAO / Siani website
Frequency: Series-based
Best For: Activists, labor researchers, policy-makers, and those interested in justice in fisheries.
Overview: “Fishy Work” shines a light on the often invisible labor conditions behind global fisheries. Through interviews with union leaders, researchers, and fishing workers, the podcast explores the social, economic, and governance challenges that persist in the industry—such as exploitation, unsafe working conditions, and inequities. FAOHome
The show is both deeply analytical and emotionally powerful. It challenges listeners to consider not just the ecological sustainability of fisheries, but also their human cost.
Key Takeaways / What You’ll Learn:
The realities of labor and governance in global fisheries.
How civil society, unions, and researchers engage for workers’ rights.
Policy gaps and mechanisms to improve labor practices at sea.
The intersection of ecology, economics, and human rights.
Why It’s Worth Listening: This is not your typical ecology podcast. By centering the voices of those who work on fishing vessels or in fish processing, “Fishy Work” brings a critical, often overlooked perspective. It’s essential listening for anyone serious about fisheries sustainability in its fullest sense.
7. Planet NOAA — Science, Policy & Curiosity From Sun to Sea
Host(s): NOAA experts and guest scientists
Platform(s): NOAA website, Apple Podcasts
Frequency: Periodic / episodic
Best For: General audiences curious about coastal science, ecosystem health, and NOAA’s work.
Overview: “Planet NOAA: From Sun to Sea and Everything in Between” dives into a broad range of NOAA’s scientific missions—covering marine science, climate, terrestrial ecology, weather, and much more. While not exclusively about fisheries, many episodes touch on marine ecosystems and how NOAA’s various programs interconnect.
The tone is exploratory and accessible, combining science communication with storytelling in a way that bridges public understanding and technical insight.
Key Takeaways / What You’ll Learn:
The bigger picture of NOAA’s mandate: from ocean conservation to climate research.
How different NOAA divisions (fisheries, satellites, climate) collaborate.
Specific marine science topics, including corals, seafloor exploration, and biodiversity.
The human side of NOAA scientists and their work.
Why It’s Worth Listening: If you’re looking for a podcast that connects fisheries to the broader environmental and scientific missions of NOAA, Planet NOAA is a compelling choice. It encourages curiosity and context, making complex science relatable.
Host(s): Scientists from NOAA’s National Ocean Service
Platform(s): NOAA Ocean Service website, major podcast platforms
Frequency: Regular, but varies
Best For: Listeners interested in coastal science, ocean forecasting, and marine conservation.
Overview: The NOAA Ocean Podcast explores a wide array of marine topics—from harmful algal blooms and ocean forecasting to coastal resilience. While not always about fisheries, it addresses the environmental processes that directly impact marine species and fisheries health.
Experts articulate how oceanographic phenomena affect fish populations, community resilience, and climate adaptation efforts, offering both scientific depth and practical relevance.
Key Takeaways / What You’ll Learn:
The science behind harmful algal blooms and their effects on fisheries.
How NOAA models and forecasts coastal changes to protect people and ecosystems.
The link between marine habitat health and fisheries productivity.
Interdisciplinary approaches to coastal resilience (policy, technology, conservation).
Why It’s Worth Listening: This podcast gives listeners macro-level insight into the forces shaping our oceans. Fisheries science doesn’t happen in isolation — by tuning into this, you’ll understand the environmental context that underpins fish stock dynamics.
9. Sea Change Radio — Environmental Sustainability & Policy
Host(s): Alex Wise
Platform(s): Public Radio Exchange, podcast platforms
Frequency: Weekly
Best For: Environmentalists, policy wonks, sustainable business advocates.
Overview: While not solely focused on fisheries, Sea Change Radio frequently features conversations on marine ecology, sustainable seafood, and environmental justice. Hosted by Alex Wise, it’s a long-running show that dives into broad sustainability issues: the economy, climate, corporate practices, and grassroots activism.
The show’s broad lens means it occasionally touches on fisheries governance, overfishing, and sustainable business practices—not always technical, but always deeply relevant.
Key Takeaways / What You’ll Learn:
How fisheries fit into larger environmental and sustainability systems.
Insights on corporate responsibility and environmental regulation.
Interviews with thought leaders shaping green policy and practice.
Strategies to bridge activism, science, and business.
Why It’s Worth Listening: For those who see fisheries as part of a broader sustainability puzzle — involving climate, business, and social change — this is a go-to podcast. It’s intellectually rich, globally minded, and inspiring for systems-level change.
Best For: Students, fisheries researchers, anglers, conservationists, and anyone who wants science-backed fisheries knowledge simplified.
Overview:
The Marine Fisheries Ecology podcast is one of the most scientifically rigorous yet highly approachable fisheries podcasts available today. Hosted by two respected marine ecologists—Dr. Marcus Drymon and Dr. Sean Powers—the show focuses on modern fisheries science through the lenses of ecology, population dynamics, gear technology, bycatch, stock assessment, and field research.
The hosts break down complex scientific processes into clear, digestible explanations, helping listeners understand the ecological and management systems behind the fish we catch and eat. Episodes often feature real data from Gulf of Mexico studies, shark tagging research, red snapper assessments, reef ecology, and long-term fisheries monitoring programs.
What sets this podcast apart is its commitment to accuracy and transparency. Every topic is backed by peer-reviewed research, field observations, and decades of combined scientific expertise.
Key Takeaways / What You’ll Learn:
How stock assessments work and why they matter for commercial & recreational fisheries.
Field research stories about shark tagging, reef monitoring, and fish population tracking.
How environmental changes—like warming oceans or habitat loss—affect fish behavior and abundance.
Gear innovations and conservation techniques that reduce bycatch and improve sustainability.
Why It’s Worth Listening:
If you want a podcast that dives deeper than surface-level sustainability talk, this is it. The hosts deliver true scientific insight in a conversational format that feels like a friendly lecture from experts who genuinely care about marine ecosystems. Perfect for fisheries students, policy-makers, or anglers who want to understand the real science guiding management decisions.
Why Podcasts Are Revolutionizing Fisheries Awareness
Podcasts are rapidly transforming how we think about fisheries, marine science, and conservation—and here’s why they matter more than ever nowadays:
Accessibility & Reach: Voice-based media lets scientists, fishers, and policymakers share insights in a way that’s easy to consume on commutes, in the field, or at home.
Trust Through Sound: Hearing someone’s tone, personal stories, and real emotions builds trust. For fisheries, this means elevating traditionally underrepresented voices—from laborers on deck to Indigenous communities.
Bridging Science and Policy: Podcasts like NOAA’s and GSA’s bring highly technical science into conversations about governance, equity, and sustainability.
Community Building: Listeners form communities around shared interests—whether that’s aquaculture, marine justice, or conservation policy.
Timely Storytelling: With climate change, overfishing, and habitat loss accelerating, podcasts enable real-time storytelling and response from the front lines.
How to Choose the Right Fisheries Podcast for You
Here are some criteria to help you select the best fisheries podcasts for your interests:
Credibility: Look for podcasts hosted by scientists, policy experts, or reputable institutions (e.g., NOAA, GSA).
Topic Focus: Decide whether you want technical science (e.g., “The Fisheries Podcast”), labor and justice (e.g., “Fishy Work”), or policy/business (e.g., “Seafood Matters”).
Tone: Do you prefer narrative storytelling, interview-style discussion, or data-rich deep dives?
Length & Frequency: Consider how much time you can commit. Weekly shows vs. series-based shows may better suit your schedule.
Accessibility: Check if the podcast provides transcripts, has varied platforms, or offers community engagement (via social media or listener Q&As).
Podcast Selection Checklist:
✅ Expert hosts or contributors?
✅ Relevant to your fisheries interest (science / policy / labor)
✅ Regular publishing schedule
✅ Available on your preferred platform
✅ Provides supporting resources (transcripts, links, show notes)
Tips for Getting the Most Out of Fisheries Podcasts
Listen Actively: Keep a notebook or digital note app handy to jot down key insights, research terms, or policy ideas.
Share & Discuss: Share episodes with colleagues, class peers, or community groups. Use them as discussion starters.
Follow Up: Many episodes link to reports, scientific papers, or programs. Dive deeper when something resonates.
Community Engagement: Join the podcast’s listener forums, social media pages, or comment sections to ask questions and connect.
Apply Locally: If you’re a practitioner, use lessons learned in your local work—be it community restoration, fisheries advocacy, or research.
Final Thoughts
Fisheries are at a crossroads: ecological pressures, climate impacts, social justice, and economic incentives are all colliding with unprecedented urgency. But alongside these challenges comes opportunity—and knowledge. The best fisheries podcasts don’t just inform—they connect, inspire, and fuel action.
By tuning into shows like Dive In with NOAA Fisheries, Aquademia, or Fishy Work, you’re not just a listener—you’re part of a growing community that cares deeply about the future of our oceans. Whether you are a seasoned scientist, a policy-maker, a fisher, or simply someone who loves the sea, these podcasts offer a way to stay informed, grounded, and hopeful.
So plug in, listen, and let these voices shape your understanding—and perhaps even your stewardship—of the world’s fisheries. The oceans are changing, but with knowledge comes power. And power begins with a single play button.
About Author
The Podcasting Research Team is a dynamic and passionate group of young researchers who are dedicated to exploring the world of podcasting. Whether you’re a podcast creator, a marketer, or simply a curious listener, the work of The Podcasting Research Team can provide valuable insights into the trends and best practices in the podcasting world.
