Join us for a powerful conversation with OlgaMosca — a passionate marine biologist whose journey spans continents, cultures, and deep connections with the ocean. From studying bottlenose dolphins in Galicia to mentoring future scientists and tackling a PhD, Olga shares what ittruly means to dedicate your life to marine conservation. With honesty, warmth, and insight, she takes us behind the scenes of fieldwork, research, and the realities of protecting marine life. If you’ve ever dreamed of working with dolphinsor making a difference for the planet, this episode will inspire you.

Episódio 26 - Marés de Conhecimento

Junte-se a nós para uma conversa inspiradora com Olga Mosca — uma bióloga marinha apaixonada, cuja jornada atravessa continentes, culturas e uma profunda conexãocom o oceano. Do estudo de golfinhos-roazes na Galícia à orientação de futuros cientistas e aos desafios de um doutorado, Olga compartilha o que realmente significa dedicar a vida à conservação marinha. Com sinceridade, leveza e muito conhecimento, ela nos leva aos bastidores do trabalho de campo, da pesquisa e da missão de proteger a vida marinha. Se você já sonhou em trabalhar com golfinhos ou em fazer a diferença pelo planeta, este episódio vai te inspirar.

LinkedIn: Olga Mosca

Email: olga@thebdri.com.

The video she shared can be foundhere:https://www.facebook.com/thebdri/videos/292396896923667

O terceiro episódio do videocast Jardineiras do Mar nos apresenta duas educadoras ambientais apaixonadas pelo oceano: Andrea Mierczynski e Simone Poletto. Unindo saber científico, cultura local e compromisso com a vida marinha, elas compartilham suas histórias e projetos voltados à proteção das baleias francas austrais, que escolhem as enseadas de Garopaba (SC) como berçário natural. Com iniciativas como o Festival de Boas-Vindas às Baleias Francas e a BioConsciencia, elas promovem trilhas, oficinas, atividades culturais e ações de educação ambiental voltadas à conscientização sobre o papel das baleias e dos ecossistemas costeiros. Agora, Andrea e Simone se preparam para lançar o curta-metragem “Jardineiras do Mar”, aprovado pela Lei Rouanet. O filme une a sabedoria indígena guarani e os conhecimentos científicos mais atuais para contar a história desse berçário único no Brasil. O projeto está em fase de captação de recursos e busca empresas parceiras que queiram apoiar a causa por meio de incentivo fiscal.

Mais do que proteger baleias, elas estão cultivando consciência, despertando olhares e conectando pessoas ao mar. Porque, como dizem, o mar é a origem da vida – e cuidar dele é cuidar de todos nós.

📎 Apresentação para apoiadores:

📧 Contato: maioam902@gmail.com & simonepoletto84@gmail.com

🌐 Redes sociais:

Instagram: @bioconsciencia.eco | @andrea_meuscontoseprojetos

Site: www.bioconsciencia.eco.br

Jardineiras do Mar: where nature, education, and cinema come together

The third episode of the videocast Jardineiras do Mar introduces us to two passionate environmental educators: Andrea Mierczynski and Simone Poletto. Blending scientific knowledge, local culture, and a deep commitment to marine life, they share their journey and initiatives focused on protecting the southern right whales that choose the coastal waters of Garopaba, Brazil, as a natural nursery. Through projects such as the Whale Welcome Festival and the TOTErra network, they lead trails, workshops, cultural events, and environmental education activities that raise awareness about the whales and the importance of preserving coastal ecosystems.

Now, Andrea and Simone are preparing to launch the short film “Jardineiras do Mar”, which has been approved under Brazil’s Rouanet Cultural Incentive Law. The film weaves together Guarani Indigenous cosmovision and modern scientific research to highlight the unique role of this whale nursery in southern Brazil. The project is currently seeking funding and looking for companies interested in supporting the cause through tax-deductible donations.

More than protecting whales, they cultivate environmental awareness, inspire new perspectives, and helping people reconnect with the ocean. As they say, the sea is the origin of life – and to care for it is to care for all of us.

Hoje publicamos o primeiro episódio do videocast Olhos no Mar. Neste espaço, damos voz às mulheres que dedicam suas vidas à conservação de cetáceos — baleias, golfinhos e outros mamíferos marinhos. São histórias inspiradoras de quem mergulhou de corpo e alma nessa missão.

Sou mestre em Ciências Ambientais, com MBA e doutoranda em Bioacústica de Cetáceos. Atuei em projetos embarcados da indústria energética no Brasil, desenvolvi o curso de Técnicos Ambientais Offshore. Trabalhei com oceano profundo na Noruega e coordenei uma network de pesquisa entre Brasil e Noruega. Desde 2018, atuo como observadora de baleias em navios científicos do Instituto de Pesquisa Marinha da Noruega, e lidero equipes de MMO e PAM em navios de atividade sísmica marítima em diferentes oceanos. Também sou pesquisadora associada na AIMM, colaboradora do MARE, voluntária em iniciativas como o Ghost Network e o Observatório dos Golfinhos do Tejo.

Desde de 2023 sou a produtora e apresentora do podcast Eyes on Ocean.

Este primeiro episódio do videocast Olhos no Mar é um convite para conhecer minha trajetória e por que contar essas histórias de mulheres do mar é tão importante para a Cultura Oceânica e para a conservação do nosso planeta azul.

🌊 Vamos juntas embarcar nessas histórias de mar?

Esse projeto é uma produção da Claudia Erber em colaboração com as MMOs, e em parceria com a jornalista @johannerussell na edição do áudio, @gazzfilms na edição do video, com arte gráfica da @flaviamuniz.frutifera

https://youtu.be/S2p9ngM1rIw

Emma is based in Orkney, an island off Scotland’s northeast coast, where she works for Whale and Dolphin Conservation on a citizen science project called Shorewatch. When not out looking for whales and dolphins, and when the weather allows, she’ll be out on her paddleboard or sea kayak exploring the coastline from a different perspective.

Links:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/emma-steel-a62a59b6/

www.whales.org/shorewatch

Magdalena – born in a small town in central Poland, far from the sea, but as a child she spent every holiday by the Polish seaside. She has always felt a bond with water, regardless of whether it was large or small bodies of water. When she began oceanography studies, specializing in marine biology, she moved to Gdansk, on the Polish coast and settled there for good. After graduating, she did not work in her profession, but her love for the sea did not subside. And it was completely by accident that she became an MMO. As an MMO, she found a path that she has been following for 17 years now. She willingly takes part in different courses that help her expand her knowledge and gain new experiences. Among other things, she obtained the Marine Mammal Medic certificate. In the meantime, she visits schools in her hometown and tells students about her job and how beautiful sea creatures are and how important it is to protect them. At every opportunity she raises awareness among friends and acquaintances about the importance of protecting the seas and oceans. She enjoys walking along the beaches of Gdansk looking out for seals and hopes that he will meet some someday.

Contact: mmlipka@gmail.com

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/magdalena-lipka-117782b8/

Monica’s journey to becoming a marine mammal scientist has been exactly the wildly improbable series of events you’d expect from someone who spent her childhood doodling dolphins. It all started at the tender age of six when she declared, with the absolute certainty that only a six-year-old can muster, that she would be a marine biologist. This was a bold move for someone barely tall enough to see over the kitchen counter, but the decision was made, nonetheless. This proclamation was followed by years of shoehorning dolphins and bioacoustics into every school project, art assignment, and casual conversation. By high school, finding her hand in term papers that bore suspiciously dolphin-shaped watermarks wasn't unusual —her teachers suspected these were entirely deliberate. At 17, however, Monica encountered what can only be described as one of those life plot twists that would make a lesser person reconsider their dreams. At the cusp of university, she veered slightly off course, choosing to study biology to become a veterinarian. It was, in essence, like aiming for “Marine Mammal Scientist” and winding up as a “General Practitioner for Creatures with Paws.” Yet, ever the enthusiast, Monica dove headfirst into veterinary medicine with the same fervor she’d once applied to doodle dolphins in the margins of her notebooks. For several years, she followed this path diligently. But marine mammals, being the devious charmers they are, never truly let go of their hold on her. In time, Monica returned to her first love with a vengeance, now equipped with an arsenal of skills that allowed her to approach it renewed vigor. She completed her undergraduate degree in Biology at California State University with a concentration in Ecology. She then spent several years as a Marine Mammal Observer (MMO), a role that involved peering out over the vast, blue expanse, ensuring humans weren’t disturbing the dolphins' conversations. It was, she realized, the perfect way to get paid to do what she already loved—namely, stare at the ocean for hours on end. After a sojourn to her father’s native land of Chile and encounters with the endemic dolphin and porpoise species there, she packed her bags for the University of St. Andrews, where she studied Marine Mammal Science. Because if you’re going to study dolphins, why not do it in a place practically dripping with marine mammals? In the meantime, Monica continued her not-so-secret side hobby: surfing. Her love for it was undeniable, though her skill level could generously be described as “aspirational.” While she spent more time tumbling off her board than gliding smoothly over waves, the dolphins who frequently appeared alongside her didn’t seem to mind. They appeared to be showing off, as dolphins are prone to do. Monica didn’t take it personally—mostly because she was too busy trying to stay upright. But Monica isn’t finished yet. Now, with an eye toward decoding dolphin behavior and language (yes, really), she’s diving into Data Science and Machine Learning through MIT. Because what better way to talk to dolphins than with a bit of help from algorithms? As she embarked on this new quest, one thing was clear: Monica wasn’t just earning degrees; she was gathering tools to unlock the mysteries of the deep. And if there’s one thing dolphins have taught us, they’re always one step ahead. As they famously said before leaving Earth in The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, “So long, and thanks for all the fish.” Monica, however, is determined to figure out precisely what they meant by that—and maybe even ask them a few more questions before they leave again. Standing at the intersection of science, technology, and ocean advocacy, Monica is uniquely positioned to ask questions that could lead to real regulatory change, ensuring that these charismatic creatures—and the oceans they call home—are protected for future generations.

Marina Batochio, ocean and cetacean lover, biologist, master in Ecology and southern right whale’s.

Anna Victoria Pyne Vinje is a marine biologist from Norway. In this podcast, we're both currently involved in the North Atlantic Sightings Surveys (NASS) project as marine mammal observers (MMO) at the Institute of Marine Research (IMR).

Victoria began her journey in marine biology after working as the only female fisherman on an old longline boat, where she gained invaluable maritime skills and resilience. Her academic path took her from the University of Bergen to James Cook University (JCU) in Australia and then to a Master's in Arctic Animal Physiology and Marine Biology at the University of Tromsø (UiT). During her Master's, she worked as a research technician at UiT, handling species such as the hooded seal, reindeer, and ptarmigans.

Her professional career started as an MMO with the Norwegian Defence Research Establishment and the National Marine Mammal Foundation on the 'SOST minke whale hearing project,' contributing to the very first hearing measurements on baleen whales to study the impact of human-made noise on these marine mammals and mitigate this form of pollution. Leading research at OneWhale, she focuses on conserving and managing the famous beluga whale Hvaldimir, aiming to translocate him back to a wild population. This project seeks to provide scientific insights and study the adaptation of a previously captive animal.

In her field, she has faced challenges such as misconceptions, polarized opinions, and personal harassment, which are unfortunately common for women in male-dominated fields. She handles these situations by valuing solid ethical foundations and clear communication. Victoria hopes to inspire other young biologists, especially women, to pursue their passion in the field and encourages the younger generation to strive for a fair and equitable working environment for all genders.

Driven by the chance to make a meaningful impact on marine conservation, the ocean's vastness and mystery continually fascinate her. Her transition from a fisherman to a diving marine biologist shows her dedication to the maritime world, a passion she continues to pursue while living on her sailboat, staying connected to the sea.

Links:

Capture and Release of Minke Whales Offers New Research Opportunities, Including Measurements of Mysticete Hearing. https://doi.org/10.1578/AM.50.4.2024.352

www.nmmf.org/our-work/biologic-bioacoustic-research/minke-whale-hearing/

www.onewhale.org