The Deep-Sea Podcast
A couple of deep-sea scientists talk everything deep sea! Interesting facts, recent news, myth-busting and interviews with the most interesting people we know.
Episodes
Jan 6, 2024
Jan 6, 2024
1hr 25 min
THE DECO-STOP: A DEEPER LOOK INTO THE HUMANS BEHIND DEEP SEA SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY.
This is our third Deco-Stop episode, and this time we’re focusing on eco-anxiety. We are currently in the midst of an ecological crisis, but eco-anxiety is something of a mental health crisis in response. Many of us who work in this space (and many of us who don’t) are feeling these emotions, including plenty of our listeners who have got in touch to share their experiences. As such, we’ve wanted to make this episode for some time, but during it’s production, it became a far bigger subject than we were ready for. One thing that did become apparent, is that this is a dangerous subject and it is something that can do real harm. In this episode, we share with you some stories of how different individuals have influenced their lives in a direct response to eco-anxiety. Plus, we hear from the perspective of a psychotherapist who specialises in the field of climate & eco-crisis psychology. However, this is not a list of answers, and the priority is your health and safety and as the listener.
We hope that this episode offers an insight towards such a big and difficult topic. Whilst it won’t leave you with a complete set of instructions on how to fix the world, we hope you find it comforting that there is a huge number of people who are feeling the same as you are. It’s a lrngthy one, so grab a cup of tea, give your local tree a quick hug, and tune in to this beefy episode of the Deco-Stop.
MEET OUR GUESTS
CAROLINE HICKMAN
Psychotherapist and lecturer at the University of Bath working in the field of climate psychology. Her research focuses on eco-anxiety, distress about the climate and ecological crisis in children and young people.
LEARN MORE
DAN DE KLERK
Co-founder of Nomadic Permaculture, an organisation based in Picton, New Zealand that offers consultancy and courses in how to live a more sustainable lifestyle in harmony with your local community and ecosystem.
LEARN MORE
BRIAN BERNEMAN
Wellness coach and co-founder of Conscious Action, a collective based in Auckland, New Zealand that encourages people to make meaningful and achievable changes in their lives, to help the planet.
LEARN MORE
DID YOU KNOW WE SELL MERCH?
Check it out here!! And please do send in any pics of you wearing the merch!
Feel free to get in touch with us with questions or your own comments on:
podcast@armatusoceanic.com
We’d love to actually play your voice so feel free to record a short audio note!
FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA!
Twitter: @DeepSeaPod, @ArmatusO
Facebook:DeepSeaPodcast, ArmatusOceanic
Instagram: @deepsea_podcast, @armatusoceanic
Keep up with the team on social media
Twitter: Alan - @Hadalbloke, Thom - @ThomLinley, Georgia - @geeinthesea
Instagram: Georgia - @geeinthesea
LINKS
RESOURCES
MENTIONED BY DAN
Dan’s Nomadic Permaculture course on sustainable food growing
Info on the Kaipātiki Project (which Dan also works for) and his Sustainable Life: Design Workshop
MENTIONED BY CAROLINE
Sally Weintrobe - Psychoanalyst who focuses on climate anxiety and it’s links to neoliberal capitalism and the culture of ‘un-care’
Jay Griffiths - Author who writes about how western children have more mental health issues than children from indigenous cultures
Paul Hoggett - Co-founder of the Climate Psychology Alliance and coined the term ‘love miles’
Every other day a climate activist is murdered - news article
Climate Psychology Alliance Therapeutic Support
Climate Psychology Alliance Climate Cafes
CREDITS
Theme – Hometime by Harvey Jones
Logo image - The Deco-Stop
Dec 23, 2023
Dec 23, 2023
29 min
Our short and to the point PRESSURISED version of episode 17. If you don't have time for the full episode and want to get right to the science without any of our waffle, this is the place to be!
Read the show notes and find the full episode here:
https://www.armatusoceanic.com/podcast/017-going-to-sea
We love going to sea, it is probably the best part of the job. That’s where most of our adventures happen, that’s where most of the exciting discoveries and firsts happen and it’s where we meet some of the most interesting people. We want you to have a great time at sea too and not be put off by a bad first experience. Poor packing or a faux pas could spoil the whole experience and we don’t want that. We put together some advice for your first trip. Forgive us if parts seem patronising, they are all things we have seen spoil someone’s trip and with everything else to worry about, it’s easy to forget the simple stuff.
We chat with Larkin, a deck-hand turned youtuber about life at sea and sharing that experience through her videos. What is her average day like at sea and how’s the morning commute when your office is a small response vessel chasing a submarine 10,000 m below you? How can you get a celebratory tattoo offshore from an unqualified scientist? “Don’t worry, he’s a doctor, not that sort of doctor but don’t worry about that!”
Feel free to get in touch with us with questions or you own tales from the high seas on:
podcast@armatusoceanic.com
We are also on
Twitter: @ArmatusO
Facebook: ArmatusOceanic
Instagram: @armatusoceanic
Read the show notes and find out more about us at:
www.armatusoceanic.com
Glossary
AB – Able Bodied seamen or deck hands
A-frame – type of lifting equipment, usually at the stern
Aft – towards the front of the boat
Bow – the front of the boat
Bridge – Usually at the top of the boat, where it is steered from
Bulkhead – the thick metal internal walls of a boat
Cabin – where you sleep offshore
Deck – the floors on a boat
Fore – towards the front of the boat
Head – the toilet
Mates – Officers under the captain (1st and 2nd mate)
Mess – the dining hall on a boat
Port – left side of the boat (regardless of which way you are facing), colour coded red
Rigger boots – steel toe capped safety shoes
Starboard - right side of the boat (regardless of which way you are facing), colour coded green
Zodiac – a small and fast inflatable boat
My Salty Sea Life
Website
Instagram
YouTube
Facebook
Larkin’s ‘a day in the life of a sailor’ video. Great prep for your first time at sea.
Larkin’s morning commute
(a keen eye may spot Alan pottering about in the background)
Credits
Theme – Hadal Zone Express by Märvel
Logo image - The Deep-Sea Podcast PRESSURISED
Dec 2, 2023
Dec 2, 2023
27 min
"Exploration is curiosity acted upon." — Don Walsh
In this month’s episode, we’re honouring the late great Don Walsh, who sadly left us this month. You may have noticed that we hadn’t heard from Don in a good few months. He had a couple of ops that required some getting over, but that wasn’t going to slow him down. In September he was going through the Northwest Passage, a trip he had attempted 2 previous times but had been scuppered by weather and vessel trouble. Don’s unwavering commitment to deep-sea exploration meant that the monthly sea stories were no longer possible but we weren’t going to let the legendary Don Walsh sneak off without some fanfare, not after everything he’s done for us.
We were putting together a Christmas episode where we could share some drinks and stories with Don and give him a proper send-off. While we were sorting out dates that everyone could do, Don passed. 92, nodding off in his favourite chair at the remote home he loved, surrounded by nature.
Over the last 3 years it’s been a privilege to have Don recount one of his endless list of stories with us every month, stories that always made us smile. In some attempt to raise a toast to him and all that he’s done for the community, we bring you this Don Special episode. He will be missed.
Legend.
Thanks again for tuning in, we’ll deep-see you next time!
Feel free to get in touch with us with questions or your own comments on:
podcast@armatusoceanic.com
We’d love to actually play your voice so feel free to record a short audio note!
We are also on:
Twitter: @DeepSeaPod, @ArmatusO
Facebook: DeepSeaPodcast, ArmatusOceanic
Instagram: @deepsea_podcast, @armatusoceanic
Keep up with the team on social media
Twitter:
Alan - @Hadalbloke
Thom - @ThomLinley
Georgia - @geeinthesea
Instagram:
Thom - @ThomLinley
Georgia - @geeinthesea
Read the show notes and find out more about us at:
www.armatusoceanic.com
Credits
Theme – Hadal Zone Express by Märvel
Logo image - Life Magazine 1960 Edition
Nov 25, 2023
Nov 25, 2023
29 min
Our short and to the point PRESSURISED version of episode 16. If you don't have time for the full episode and want to get right to the science without any of our waffle, this is the place to be!
Read the show notes and find the full episode here:
https://www.armatusoceanic.com/podcast/016-biodiscovery
We are in desperate need for new bioactive compounds. Super bugs are on the rise as evolution finds a way of thwarting our antibiotics. We are also continually on the hunt for compounds that can fight disease, ease suffering or get your teeth super white. The natural world has been experimenting for millions of years and has come up with solutions far more elegant than we could come up with.
The ocean, and in particular the deep ocean, may be the best place to look for new compounds but is this a threat to the ocean? It is often mentioned alongside seabed trawling, climate change and mining as a threat to the deep ocean. Should we call it bioprospecting or biodiscovery and what’s the difference? If most of the world’s ocean belongs to everyone, who owns a discovery? How do we ensure that developed nations, who are better equipped to benefit from a discovery, don’t leave developing nations out? Are companies really patenting naturally occurring compounds? If we find something exciting, what is the process for it becoming the next wonder drug?
While they both agree that looking for new compounds in the deep sea sounds good, Alan and Thom are soon stumped by the complexities of actually making that happen in a fair and sustainable way. Luckily, they can call on Professor Marcel Jaspars, head of the Marine Biodiscovery Centre to help us through the practicalities of biodiscovery but also its political and ethical complexities.
Feel free to get in touch with questions or you own tales from the high seas on:
podcast@armatusoceanic.com
We are also on
Twitter: @ArmatusO
Facebook: ArmatusOceanic
Instagram: @armatusoceanic
Read the show notes and find out more about us at:
www.armatusoceanic.com
Links
United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea
The Convention on Biological Diversity
The Nagoya Protocol
The Deepest of Ironies (paywall)
Evolving Perspectives On The International Seabed Area’s Genetic Resources: Fifteen Years After The ‘Deepest Of Ironies’ (paywall)
Who owns marine biodiversity? Contesting the world order through the ‘common heritage of humankind’ principle
Corporate control and global governance of marine genetic resources
Polymers: Secrets from the deep sea
Ocean Biodiversity Information System (OBIS)
Ocean Tool for Public Understanding and Science (OcToPUS)
Song of the Ocean – Global Virtual Performance 2021
Sharing the Benefits of the Ocean (loads of wider reading here)
Glossary
Benthopelagic - Living and feeding near the bottom as well as in midwaters or near the surface but also the depth zone about 100 metres off the bottom at all depths below the edge of the continental shelf.
Endothermy – Animals that regulate their body temperature (we used to call this ‘warm blooded’)
Geomagnetic – The Earth’s magnetic field e.g., magnetic north.
Mantle – The muscular tube that makes up a squids body.
Mesopelagic – Open water fish between about 200 and 1,000 metres (approximately 650 and 3,300 ft) down.
SoFAR channel - sound fixing and ranging channel. The SOFAR channel acts as a waveguide for sound, and low frequency sound waves within the channel may travel thousands of miles before dissipating.
Vertical migration – Every night, mesopelagic fish come shallower to feed. This is the largest migration on Earth and it happens every day.
Credits
Theme – Hadal Zone Express by Märvel
Nov 11, 2023
Nov 11, 2023
29 min
Our short and to the point PRESSURISED version of episode 41. If you don't have time for the full episode and want to get right to the science without any of our waffle, this is the place to be!
Read the show notes and find the full episode here:
https://www.armatusoceanic.com/podcast/041-whales
We all know that Thom and Alan aren’t the biggest fans of ‘air-breathers’ aka. marine mammals like dolphins and whales, but there are a few species that are allowed into the deep-sea club. We hear from Dr Nicola Quick who researches the incredibly elusive beaked whales, a group that likely spends the majority of their time in the deep sea. These interesting whales have been seen diving to depths of 3000 m, which way exceeds the max depth of their more famous cousin, the sperm whale (who usually hang out at around 1500m deep).
We’re really trying to make this project self-sustaining so we have started looking for ways to support the podcast. Here’s a link to our page on how to support us, from the free options to becoming a patron of the show.
Thanks again for tuning in, we’ll deep-see you next time!
Check out our podcast merch here! Which now includes Alan’s beloved apron and a much anticipated new design...
Feel free to get in touch with us with questions or your own tales from the high seas on:
podcast@armatusoceanic.com
We’d love to actually play your voice so feel free to record a short audio note!
We are also on:
Twitter: @DeepSeaPod, @ArmatusO
Facebook: DeepSeaPodcast, ArmatusOceanic
Instagram: @deepsea_podcast, @armatusoceanic
Keep up with the team on social media
Twitter:
Alan - @Hadalbloke (https://twitter.com/Hadalbloke)
Thom - @ThomLinley (https://twitter.com/ThomLinley)
Georgia - @geeinthesea (https://twitter.com/geeinthesea)
Instagram:
Georgia - @geeinthesea (https://www.instagram.com/geeinthesea/)
Read the show notes and find out more about us at:
www.armatusoceanic.com
FURTHER RESOURCES
MORE INFORMATION ON NICOLA
https://www.plymouth.ac.uk/staff/nicola-quick
https://scholars.duke.edu/person/nicola.quick/
Nicola’s paper on tagging the deep-diving beaked whales
Nicola’s twitter
Wider reading
Credits
Theme – Hadal Zone Express by Märvel
Logo image - The Deep-Sea Podcast PRESSURISED
GLOSSARY
Bounce dives - A series of shorter, shallower dives for beaked whales in between really big, deep dives to >1500 m
Cetacean - The group name for whales and dolphins
Cuvier's Beaked Whale - One of the most frequently sighted species of beaked whales in the world. They are found in most oceans and seas worldwide and have the most extensive range of all beaked whale species.
Epiglottis - The small, movable "lid" just above the larynx that prevents food and drink from entering the windpipe.
Foraging - A technical term for ‘finding food’.
Mammal - A vertebrate that breathes air, has mammary glands and three inner ear bones.
PAMs (Passive acoustic monitoring) - Surveying and monitoring wildlife and environments using sound recorders (acoustic sensors).
Pod - The term for a group of cetaceans.
VHF antenna - A VHF marine radio antenna is used to transmit and receive VHF marine radio signals enabling communication with other boats, as well as with the shore and other emergency services.
Ziphiidae - The family name for beaked whales.
Nov 4, 2023
Nov 4, 2023
1hr 14 min
We all know that Thom and Alan aren’t the biggest fans of ‘air-breathers’ aka. marine mammals like dolphins and whales, but there are a few species that are allowed into the deep-sea club. We hear from Dr Nicola Quick who researches the incredibly elusive beaked whales, a group that likely spends the majority of their time in the deep sea. These interesting whales have been seen diving to depths of 3000 m, which way exceeds the max depth of their more famous cousin, the sperm whale (who usually hang out at around 1500m deep).
It also turns out that we as humans have something in common with these deep diving critters: the mammalian dive response. We hear from Dr Ryan ‘Beefy’ Beecroft, a sub engineer and keen free-diver, who explains to us what deep diving feels like when you are an air breather.
What’s more, the Professor tells the story about the infamous Goblet of Hades. If you manage to see this little piece of history in the background of documentaries, please do send a pic in!
We’re really trying to make this project self-sustaining so we have started looking for ways to support the podcast. Here’s a link to our page on how to support us, from the free options to becoming a patron of the show. We want to say a huge thank you to those patrons who have already pledged to support us:
Andy Koenig | Trace Ritchey | Harley Pollitt | Alice
Thanks again for tuning in, we’ll deep-see you next time!
Check out our podcast merch here! Which now includes Alan’s beloved apron and a much anticipated new design...
Feel free to get in touch with us with questions or your own tales from the high seas on:
podcast@armatusoceanic.com
We’d love to actually play your voice so feel free to record a short audio note!
We are also on:
Twitter: @DeepSeaPod, @ArmatusO
Facebook: DeepSeaPodcast, ArmatusOceanic
Instagram: @deepsea_podcast, @armatusoceanic
Keep up with the team on social media
Twitter:
Alan - @Hadalbloke (https://twitter.com/Hadalbloke)
Thom - @ThomLinley (https://twitter.com/ThomLinley)
Georgia - @geeinthesea (https://twitter.com/geeinthesea)
Instagram:
Georgia - @geeinthesea (https://www.instagram.com/geeinthesea/)
Read the show notes and find out more about us at:
www.armatusoceanic.com
FURTHER RESOURCES
LINKS
MORE INFORMATION ON NICOLA
https://www.plymouth.ac.uk/staff/nicola-quick
https://scholars.duke.edu/person/nicola.quick/
Nicola’s paper on tagging the deep-diving beaked whales
Nicola’s twitter
Wider reading
NEWS
Andrew’s hadal coffee blog from back in the day
The blue Atacama snailfish has some fanart
The quest for the bibby. It seems to be from a RPG project called Snail Morning about hadal snailfish.Twitter & Blog
Deep-sea neutrino telescope in the Western Pacific
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41550-023-02087-6
https://www.shine.cn/news/metro/2310104693/
Sounds of the deep
Seals To Exploit Sparse Deep-sea Prey
SOUNDTRACK OF THE MONTH:
The Hagfish Incident by Louie Zong
Spotify
Youtube
Context:
The incident it is paying tribute to is when a truck carrying Police in Oregon were in a slimy situation on Thursday after a truck carrying 7,500 pounds of live hagfish failed to stop at a construction site and spilled its contents onto the highway and over surrounding cars.
“As the tanks fall down, slime will coat your Toyota Preus”
News report:
https://youtu.be/ctoBivu2NSE?si=oafVp4RgcWevlWbt
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/article/hagfish-slime-oregon-highway
Credits
Theme – Hadal Zone Express by Märvel
Logo image - NOAA Fisheries
GLOSSARY
Bounce dives - A series of shorter, shallower dives for beaked whales in between really big, deep dives to >1500 m
Cetacean - The group name for whales and dolphins
Cuvier's Beaked Whale - One of the most frequently sighted species of beaked whales in the world. They are found in most oceans and seas worldwide and have the most extensive range of all beaked whale species.
Epiglottis - The small, movable "lid" just above the larynx that prevents food and drink from entering the windpipe.
Foraging - A technical term for ‘finding food’.
Mammal - A vertebrate that breathes air, has mammary glands and three inner ear bones.
PAMs (Passive acoustic monitoring) - Surveying and monitoring wildlife and environments using sound recorders (acoustic sensors).
Pod - The term for a group of cetaceans.
VHF antenna - A VHF marine radio antenna is used to transmit and receive VHF marine radio signals enabling communication with other boats, as well as with the shore and other emergency services.
Ziphiidae - The family name for beaked whales.
Oct 28, 2023
Oct 28, 2023
29 min
Our short and to the point PRESSURISED version of episode 15. If you don't have time for the full episode and want to get right to the science without any of our waffle, this is the place to be!
Read the show notes and find the full episode here:
www.armatusoceanic.com/podcast/015-space-pt2
We are still exploring the parallels between space and deep-ocean exploration. It feels like technology and access is really accelerating in both spheres. Don calls in to teach us about the amount of water in our solar system and the potential new job title – Planetary Oceanographer.
When samples or access to a vehicle is limited, how can we ensure that resources are shared fairly? We have seen it lead to disagreements on ships. With something as singular and precious as a Mars rover, how are its objectives planned? Evan Hilgemann, mechanical engineer and Curiosity Rover driver with NASA’s Jet Propulsion Lab (JLP) joins us to share how a rover is managed. We chat about the parallels between exploring mars and exploring the deep sea, the similar issues we face, what we can learn from each other and most excitingly, where is technology heading on both fronts! These are exciting times.
Feel free to get in touch with questions or you own tales from the high seas on:
podcast@armatusoceanic.com
We are also on
Twitter: @ArmatusO
Facebook: ArmatusOceanic
Instagram: @armatusoceanic
Read the show notes and find out more about us at:
www.armatusoceanic.com
Glossary
Autonomous - Something which can get on with things without human control
AUV - Autonomous Underwater Vehicle
Distributed intelligence – a very fuzzy term but basically multiple ‘stupid’ elements working together to do complex processing or make complex decisions.
Hadal - Areas more than 6000 m deep, mainly the deep-ocean trenches
JPL - NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory
ROV - Remotely Operated Vehicle
Transect - A quantitative survey of an area. You fly a set path and quantify everything on it.
Links
Evan’s Twitter: @evanhilgemann
Evan’s Newsletter
Credits
Theme – Hadal Zone Express by Märvel
Oct 14, 2023
Oct 14, 2023
26 min
Our short and to the point PRESSURISED version of episode 40. If you don't have time for the full episode and want to get right to the science withut any of our waffle, this is the place to be!
Read the show notes and find the full episode here:
www.armatusoceanic.com/podcast/040-canyons
So everyone has been pretty busy but we finally got round to finishing off our deep sea habitats series with this episode on submarine canyons. We talk with Dr Teresa Amaro, from the University of Aveiro in Portugal about these hugely important habitats in the deep sea and how they influence the fauna of the continental shelf.
Thanks again for tuning in, we’ll deep-see you next time!
DID YOU KNOW WE SELL MERCH?
Check it out here!! And please do send in any pics of you wearing the merch!
Feel free to get in touch with us with questions or your own comments on:
podcast@armatusoceanic.com
We’d love to actually play your voice so feel free to record a short audio note!
FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA!
Twitter: @DeepSeaPod, @ArmatusO
Facebook:DeepSeaPodcast, ArmatusOceanic
Instagram: @deepsea_podcast, @armatusoceanic
Keep up with the team on social media
Twitter: Alan - @Hadalbloke, Thom - @ThomLinley, Georgia - @geeinthesea
Instagram: Georgia - @geeinthesea
Read the show notes and find out more about us at:
www.armatusoceanic.com
CREDITS
Theme – Hadal Zone Express by Märvel
Oct 7, 2023
Oct 7, 2023
54 min
So everyone has been pretty busy but we finally got round to finishing off our deep sea habitats series with this episode on submarine canyons. We talk with Dr Teresa Amaro, from the University of Aveiro in Portugal about these hugely important habitats in the deep sea and how they influence the fauna of the continental shelf. Plus, we get to hear the infamous story of when The Professor and Teresa docked in Lisbon during a cruise and Teresa was able to clear out a bar for the whole of the crew.
Plus, the deep sea has been all over the news this month with lots of new papers being released. Magnetic bacteria have been found by the (phenomenally named) HYPER-DOLHPIN ROV, mysterious markings on the seafloor turn out to be face-planting fish, and scientists have been training jellyfish to navigate through assault courses (kinda).
The Professor’s deep sea research lab have also been busy recently with lots of exciting videos coming out from their landers. Plus, one mystery creature has the whole team stumped. Is it a nudibranch? Or is it something else entirely?
We’re really trying to make this project self-sustaining so we have started looking for ways to support the podcast. Here’s a link to our page on how to support us, from the free options to becoming a patron of the show. We want to say a huge thank you to those patrons who have already pledged to support us:
Julian Moore | Juli Berwald | Karen Pratt | Susan Casey
Thanks again for tuning in, we’ll deep-see you next time!
DID YOU KNOW WE SELL MERCH?
Check it out here!! And please do send in any pics of you wearing the merch!
Feel free to get in touch with us with questions or your own comments on:
podcast@armatusoceanic.com
We’d love to actually play your voice so feel free to record a short audio note!
FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA!
Twitter: @DeepSeaPod, @ArmatusO
Facebook:DeepSeaPodcast, ArmatusOceanic
Instagram: @deepsea_podcast, @armatusoceanic
Keep up with the team on social media
Twitter: Alan - @Hadalbloke, Thom - @ThomLinley, Georgia - @geeinthesea
Instagram: Georgia - @geeinthesea
Read the show notes and find out more about us at:
www.armatusoceanic.com
FURTHER RESOURCES
LINKS
Kelp lightbulb art exhibition at Te Papa
Big eye jellyhead spotted on Alan’s landers
Unknown species spotted on Alan’s landers
Fish have been smashing their faces into the seabed for a while
Fossil spines reveal deep sea's past
Revolutionary deep-sea habitat to be available by 2027
Magnetic bacteria in the deep sea
Learning in Jellyfish
DNA found in filter feeding sponges reveals deep-sea fish community
Incise symposium 2023
CREDITS
Theme – Hadal Zone Express by Märvel
Logo image - NOAA
GLOSSARY
Canyon - Narrow steep-sided valleys that cut into continental slopes and continental rises of the oceans.
Cleft - A divide.
Continental shelf - A continental shelf is the edge of a continent that lies under the ocean. It extends from the coastline of a continent to a drop-off point called the shelf break.
Holothurian - A sea cucumber. They feed by ingesting sediment to obtain the nutrients.
Lander - A piece of deep sea equipment which free-falls to the seafloor and collects data via cameras, collection equipment etc.
ROV - Remotely operated vehicle. These are robots, tethered to the surface vessel which are used to explore an area in the deep sea, whilst being operated from the surface.
Sep 30, 2023
Sep 30, 2023
29 min
Our short and to the point PRESSURISED version of episode 14. If you don't have time for the full episode and want to get right to the science without any of our waffle, this is the place to be!
Read the show notes and find the full episode here:
www.armatusoceanic.com/podcast/014-space-pt1
The topic for this double episode is, as ever, the deep sea. But this time we are talking about the deep sea… Innnnnn Spaaaaaaaace! It turns out there is deep sea outside of earth in our solar system in the ice-covered moons of the gas giants. How likely are they to contain deep-sea life completely independent from the life that originated on earth? Thom chats with astrobiologist Kevin Peter Hand, author of Alien Oceans: The search for life in the depths of space, and director of NASA’s Ocean Worlds Lab. What are the best candidates for alien life in our solar system? What could that life be like and why does our own deep ocean provide a perfect test bed?
It turns out that the early versions of the vehicles which may some day explore these ocean worlds are already in development. Thom chats with Casey Machado, Research Engineer at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution about the Orpheus AUV, the first generation of such vehicle and a new asset to the exploration of our own deep ocean.
Feel free to get in touch with us with questions or your own tales from the high seas on:podcast@armatusoceanic.com
We are also on:Twitter: @ArmatusOFacebook: ArmatusOceanicInstagram: @armatusoceanic
Read the show notes and find out more about us at:www.armatusoceanic.com
Sep 16, 2023
Sep 16, 2023
29 min
Our short and to the point PRESSURISED version of episode 39. If you don't have time for the full episode and want to get right to the science without any of our waffle, this is the place to be!
Read the show notes and find the full episode here:
www.armatusoceanic.com/podcast/039-molluscs
Our very special guest this month is the fantatsic Kerry Walton from the Te Papa Museum in New Zealand. Kerry talks us through the weird and wonderful world of marine molluscs, from the deep to the not so deep, and what makes them fascinating to study.
We learn about the very interesting Chainmail snail (Chrysomallon squamiferum), or as some call it ‘the scaly-foot snail’ (but we all agree that ‘chainmail snail’ is way cooler). Plus we hear all about the unbelievable species of limpets that survive on baleen from whalefalls, and those that live on human hair in estuaries (?!?!).
We’re really trying to make this project self-sustaining so we have started looking for ways to support the podcast. Here’s a link to our page on how to support us, from the free options to becoming a patron of the show.
Thanks again for tuning in, we’ll deep-see you next time!
DID YOU KNOW WE SELL MERCH?
Check it out here!! And please do send in any pics of you wearing the merch!
Feel free to get in touch with us with questions or your own comments on:
podcast@armatusoceanic.com
We’d love to actually play your voice so feel free to record a short audio note!
FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA!
Twitter: @DeepSeaPod, @ArmatusO
Facebook:DeepSeaPodcast, ArmatusOceanic
Instagram: @deepsea_podcast, @armatusoceanic
Keep up with the team on social media
Twitter: Alan - @Hadalbloke, Thom - @ThomLinley, Georgia - @geeinthesea
Instagram: Georgia - @geeinthesea
Read the show notes and find out more about us at:
www.armatusoceanic.com
FURTHER RESOURCES
LINKS
FROM KERRY’S INTERVIEW
Kerry Walton’s Research
The snail with a bivalve shell
Chainmail snail
Baleen eating limpet
Historic whalefall communities
CREDITS
Theme – Hadal Zone Express by Märvel
Logo image - Dr Chong Chen
Sep 9, 2023
Sep 9, 2023
1hr 55 sec
What do punk snails, turning 40 and Titipo the Little Train have in common? Thats right! The latest episode of the deep-sea podcast.
We might be a little late this month but we’ve packed in as much as we can with this one. We’re covering all the latest deep sea news, including new deep sea habitats, octopus gardens and brand new amphipod species. Plus, we hear from Becca Nicholls about her experiences of working as a woman offshore, and how old superstitions are still very much a thing.
Our very special guest this month is the fantatsic Kerry Walton from the Te Papa Museum in New Zealand. Kerry talks us through the weird and wonderful world of marine molluscs, from the deep to the not so deep, and what makes them fascinating to study.
We learn about the very interesting Chainmail snail (Chrysomallon squamiferum), or as some call it ‘the scaly-foot snail’ (but we all agree that ‘chainmail snail’ is way cooler). Plus we hear all about the unbelievable species of limpets that survive on baleen from whalefalls, and those that live on human hair in estuaries (?!?!).
Friend of the show, Susan Casey has also just released her new book The Underworld in which Dr Thom and the Professor make an appearance! In her newest novel, Susan takes us on a journey through the history of deep-sea exploration, from the myths and legends of the ancient world to the scientists who are just beginning to understand the mind-blowing complexity and ecological importance of the quadrillions of creatures who live in realms long thought to be devoid of life. It’s so great to see this book finally out there after years of hard work. Get yourself a copy here. Want to hear Susan’s episode of the podcast? Check it out here.
We’re really trying to make this project self-sustaining so we have started looking for ways to support the podcast. Here’s a link to our page on how to support us, from the free options to becoming a patron of the show. We want to say a huge thank you to those patrons who have already pledged to support us:
James Fleming | Charne Lavery | Christopher Rawlins | Shona Riddell
Thanks again for tuning in, we’ll deep-see you next time!
DID YOU KNOW WE SELL MERCH?
Check it out here!! And please do send in any pics of you wearing the merch!
Feel free to get in touch with us with questions or your own comments on:
podcast@armatusoceanic.com
We’d love to actually play your voice so feel free to record a short audio note!
FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA!
Twitter: @DeepSeaPod, @ArmatusO
Facebook:DeepSeaPodcast, ArmatusOceanic
Instagram: @deepsea_podcast, @armatusoceanic
Keep up with the team on social media
Twitter: Alan - @Hadalbloke, Thom - @ThomLinley, Georgia - @geeinthesea
Instagram: Georgia - @geeinthesea
Read the show notes and find out more about us at:
www.armatusoceanic.com
FURTHER RESOURCES
LINKS
FROM KERRY’S INTERVIEW
Kerry Walton’s Research
The snail with a bivalve shell
Chainmail snail
Baleen eating limpet
Historic whalefall communities
FROM THE REST OF THE EPISODE
Thom’s appearance in the New Species Podcast
Alan’s appearance on the Fish of the Week Podcast
Thom’s appearance on the BBC’s Dark Places talk
NEWS
Exploring the Deep Sea: Ngā Kōrero Webinar Recap (seaweek.org.nz)
Caves and tunnels have been found under hydrothermal vents
Scientists confirm that octopuses use thermal springs in the deep sea to accelerate brooding time
Adorable little midshipmen fry in a depressing story
New genus of deep sea crustacean is established
SOUNDTRACK OF THE MONTH
Titipo the Little Train - Theme Song
Youtube
CREDITS
Theme – Hadal Zone Express by Märvel
Logo image - Dr Chong Chen
GLOSSARY
Baleen - The hair-like filaments found in certain whales which function similarly to teeth, to filter seawater for food.
Cephalopod - A member of the mollusc class consisting of squids, octopus, cuttlefish and nautilus.
Chirality - Chirality is a property of an item that means it cannot be superimposed on its mirror image, as seen in the left and right hands.
Chitinous - Made of chitin (the material that gives strength to the exoskeletons of crustaceans, insects and fungi walls).
Commensal relationship - A long-term biological interaction in which members of one species gain benefits while those of the other species are unaffected.
Conspecific - Belonging to the same species.
Dexterally - Latin for right-turning.
Keratin - A structural fibrous protein that forms hair and nails.
Mollusc - The second-largest phylum of invertebrate animals, after the Arthropoda. Includes snails, clams, osyters, limpets, octopus, squid etc.
Operculum - (In gastropods), it’s the firm structure on a snails foot which acts as a trapdoor to seal the soft body of the snail in it’s shell.
Sinisterly - Latin origin for left-turning.
Aug 26, 2023
Aug 26, 2023
29 min
Our short and to the point PRESSURISED version of episode 13. If you don't have time for the full episode and want to get right to the science without any of our waffle, this is the place to be!
Read the show notes and find the full episode here:
https://www.armatusoceanic.com/podcast/013-submarine-special
Thom thought he had the podcast to himself, but it turns out the professor is back after 88 days at sea. It’s time for our submarine, or human occupied vehicle (HOV) if you’re posh, special. First we reunite ‘Vegemite and Haggis’ and talk to submarine pilot Tim Macdonald about his and Alan’s undersea adventures around Australia. Manganese nodule fields, gothic cathedrals, and an undersea UFO.
We then speak with Patrick Lahey and Frank Lombardo of Triton Submarines, a bespoke submarine manufacturer, about privately owned submersibles. Initially as luxury pleasure craft but we soon find out that there is a wide range of reasons why someone would want their own sub. Throughout their careers they have had many incredible experiences, like seeing a sixgill shark give birth and communicating with bioluminescent organisms.
The podcast wouldn’t be complete without checking in with Don Walsh. He tells us about the large commercial tourist submarines which have now produced more tourist submariners than the US navy.
Glossary
Autonomous vehicle: A vehicle that doesn’t need a human pilot
Globular: Globe-like, spherical
Human Occupied Vehicle (HOV): Another term for a submarine
Hypoxic: Insufficient oxygen
Thrusters: the propellers on an underwater vehicle that allow it to move
Links
Triton submersibles
Atlantis tourist subs
Aug 11, 2023
Aug 11, 2023
28 min
Our short and to the point PRESSURISED version of episode 38. If you don't have time for the full episode and want to get right to the science without any of our waffle, this is the place to be!
Read the show notes and find the full episode here:
www.armatusoceanic.com/podcast/038-jellies
The Professor is back on land and Dr Thom is back from Squid Christmas, what a better time to talk about the squishiest of deep sea critters? We talk with George Matsumoto from MBARI all about gelatinous deep sea species. How do we study them? How on earth can we preserve them or even capture their fragile bodies? Plus, we find out exactly what that curious little blue spiky blob was.
We’re really trying to make this project self-sustaining so we have started looking for ways to support the podcast. Here’s a link to our page on how to support us, from the free options to becoming a patron of the show. We want to say a huge thank you to those patrons who have already pledged to support us:
Jay Thompson | Sam Watson | Lucy Goodwin
Thanks again for tuning in, we’ll deep-see you next time!
DID YOU KNOW WE SELL MERCH?
Check it out here!! And please do send in any pics of you wearing the merch!
Feel free to get in touch with us with questions or your own comments on:
podcast@armatusoceanic.com
We’d love to actually play your voice so feel free to record a short audio note!
FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA!
Twitter: @DeepSeaPod, @ArmatusO
Facebook:DeepSeaPodcast, ArmatusOceanic
Instagram: @deepsea_podcast, @armatusoceanic
Keep up with the team on social media
Twitter: Alan - @Hadalbloke, Thom - @ThomLinley, Georgia - @geeinthesea
Instagram: Georgia - @geeinthesea
Read the show notes and find out more about us at:
www.armatusoceanic.com
FURTHER RESOURCES
LINKS
Our Patreon Megan (@studio_mbj) painted supergiant amphipods feeding on some bait based on one of Alan’s images.
MBARI’s website
MBARI's internship program
MBARI's Deep-Sea Guide
MBARI's animals of the deep
MBARI’s seminars
MORE INFO ABOUT GEORGE MATSUMOTO
George’s bio
Matsumoto, G.I., L.M. Christianson, B.H. Robison, S.H.D. Haddock, and S.B. Johnson. 2022. Atolla reynoldsi sp. nov. (Cnidaria, Scyphozoa, Coronatae, Atollidae): A new species of coronate scyphozoan found in the eastern North Pacific Ocean. Animals, 12(6): 742. doi.org/10.3390/ani12060742
Matsumoto, G.I., B. Bentlage, R. Sherlock, K. Walz, and B.H. Robison. 2019. “Little Red Jellies” in Monterey Bay, California (Cnidaria: Hydrozoa: Trachymedusae: Rhopalonematidae). Frontiers in Marine Science 6: doi: 10.3389/fmars.2019.00798
Raskoff, K.A. and G.I. Matsumoto. 2004. Stellamedusa ventana, a new mesopelagic scyphomedusae from the eastern Pacific representing a new subfamily, the Stellamedusinae. J. Mar. Biol. Ass. U.K. 84(4274):1-6.DOI:10.1017/S0025315404008884h
Matsumoto, G.I, K.A. Raskoff, and D. Lindsay. 2003. Tiburonia granrojo, a new mesopelagic scyphomedusa from the Pacific Ocean representing the type of a new subfamily (Class Scyphozoa, Order Semaeostomeae, Family Ulmaridae, Subfamily Tiburoniiae subfam nov.). Marine Biology. 143 (1): 73-77. DOI:10.1007/s00227-003-1047-2
CREDITS
Theme – Hadal Zone Express by Märvel
Logo image - PRESSURISED
Aug 5, 2023
Aug 5, 2023
55 min
The Professor is back on land and Dr Thom is back from Squid Christmas, what a better time to talk about the squishiest of deep sea critters? We talk with George Matsumoto from MBARI all about gelatinous deep sea species. How do we study them? How on earth can we preserve them or even capture their fragile bodies? Plus, we find out exactly what that curious little blue spiky blob was.
We’re really trying to make this project self-sustaining so we have started looking for ways to support the podcast. Here’s a link to our page on how to support us, from the free options to becoming a patron of the show. We want to say a huge thank you to those patrons who have already pledged to support us:
Jay thompson
Sam watson
Lucy goodwin
Thanks again for tuning in, we’ll deep-see you next time!
Check out our podcast merch here! Which now includes Alan’s beloved apron and a much anticipated new design...
Feel free to get in touch with us with questions or your own tales from the high seas on:
podcast@armatusoceanic.com
We’d love to actually play your voice so feel free to record a short audio note!
We are also on:
Twitter: @DeepSeaPod, @ArmatusO
Facebook: DeepSeaPodcast, ArmatusOceanic
Instagram: @deepsea_podcast, @armatusoceanic
Keep up with the team on social media
Twitter:
Alan - @Hadalbloke (https://twitter.com/Hadalbloke)
Thom - @ThomLinley (https://twitter.com/ThomLinley)
Georgia - @geeinthesea (https://twitter.com/geeinthesea)
Instagram:
Georgia - @geeinthesea (https://www.instagram.com/geeinthesea/)
Read the show notes and find out more about us at:
www.armatusoceanic.com
Links:
Kat Bolstad and the Squid Squad
@ALCESonline on twitter
Read about the latest squid-Christmas here:
Fascinating finds from NIWA’s annual squid survey | NIWA
Megan Jones - artist and friend of the show
@studio_mbj on Instagram
Fragments from beyond our solar system found in the Pacific:
https://www.cbsnews.com/boston/news/avi-loeb-harvard-professor-alien-technology-fragments/
Shot Towers:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shot_tower
Oarfish is spotted which is ‘twice the size of peter crouch’
https://www.dailystar.co.uk/news/weird-news/divers-discover-huge-deep-sea-30467032
Cookie cutters sharks go to town on a swordfish:
https://www.instagram.com/tkoffshorefishing/?utm_source=ig_embed&ig_rid=f7ed8cc8-e207-4684-9ddd-099458087401
Dumbo octopus seen to migrate opposite to diel vertical migration in order to find prey:
https://phys.org/news/2023-07-deep-sea-imagery-reveal-octopus-behavior.html
I have been playing Fathomvers! From Fathomnet. You can get on as a beta tester
https://www.fathomverse.game/
Guest links - George Matsumoto
MBARI's internship program - https://www.mbari.org/about/careers/internships/
MBARI's Deep-Sea Guide - http://dsg.mbari.org/dsg/home
MBARI's animals of the deep - https://www.mbari.org/education/animals-of-the-deep/
social
https://www.youtube.com/user/MBARIvideo
https://twitter.com/MBARI_news
https://www.tiktok.com/@mbari_news
https://www.linkedin.com/company/monterey-bay-aquarium-research-institute-mbari-/mycompany/
https://www.instagram.com/mbari_news/
papers
Matsumoto, G.I., L.M. Christianson, B.H. Robison, S.H.D. Haddock, and S.B. Johnson. 2022. Atolla reynoldsi sp. nov. (Cnidaria, Scyphozoa, Coronatae, Atollidae): A new species of coronate scyphozoan found in the eastern North Pacific Ocean. Animals, 12(6): 742. doi.org/10.3390/ani12060742
Matsumoto, G.I., B. Bentlage, R. Sherlock, K. Walz, and B.H. Robison. 2019. “Little Red Jellies” in Monterey Bay, California (Cnidaria: Hydrozoa: Trachymedusae: Rhopalonematidae). Frontiers in Marine Science 6: doi: 10.3389/fmars.2019.00798
Raskoff, K.A. and G.I. Matsumoto. 2004. Stellamedusa ventana, a new mesopelagic scyphomedusae from the eastern Pacific representing a new subfamily, the Stellamedusinae. J. Mar. Biol. Ass. U.K. 84(4274):1-6.DOI:10.1017/S0025315404008884h
Matsumoto, G.I, K.A. Raskoff, and D. Lindsay. 2003. Tiburonia granrojo, a new mesopelagic scyphomedusa from the Pacific Ocean representing the type of a new subfamily (Class Scyphozoa, Order Semaeostomeae, Family Ulmaridae, Subfamily Tiburoniiae subfam nov.). Marine Biology. 143 (1): 73-77. DOI:10.1007/s00227-003-1047-2
Credits
Christmas in July - Millington Snow Miser/Heat Miser
Youtube
Theme – Hadal Zone Express by Märvel
Logo image - Schmidt Ocean Institute
Jul 29, 2023
Jul 29, 2023
28 min
Our short and to the point PRESSURISED version of episode 12. If you don't have time for the full episode and want to get right to the science without any of our waffle, this is the place to be!
Read the show notes and find the full episode here:
www.armatusoceanic.com/podcast/012-natural-history-collections
Natural history collections, huge archives of carefully curated specimens, are an invaluable tool for the scientific community. They are also a place where the public get to interact with active research and meet scientists. Forget what you’d imagine working in a museum to be like, no two days are the same and both the collections and the talented people who work with them are in constant demand. One day your helping design new swimwear based on shark skin, the next settling an argument at a fishing competition.
If you’re wondering what jobs are out there in science or just curious to know what goes on behind the scenes at a museum, this episode has some surprises for you.
Feel free to get in touch with us with questions or you own tales from the high seas on:
podcast@armatusoceanic.com
Read the show notes and find out more about us at:
www.armatusoceanic.com
Links
James taking care of the beetles during lockdown
James talking about deep-sea fish.
Shark nostril research
Cookie-cutter shark bites
Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa – deep sea video
The Fishes of New Zealand