Natural Justice Podcast

Who owns the right to fish? And what happens when the management of a publicly owned or shared natural resource starts to resemble the management of private property?In this episode of Inside Oceans Law, Eva speaks with Thomas Appleby about the often uneasy relationship between fisheries management and property rights. Fishing rights occupy an unusual legal space: fisheries are generally managed as public resources, yet access to them can be allocated through individual quotas, licences and other rights that increasingly take on the characteristics of private property.This creates an interesting legal and practical tension. How can States maintain control over and responsibility for managing a public resource while granting private actors rights that may be transferable, valuable and, in some cases, treated as assets? Where is the boundary between the public interest in sustainable fisheries management and the private interests attached to fishing rights?We explore the legal nature of fishing rights, the evolution of property-based approaches to fisheries management, and the implications for resource governance, ownership, access and the public interest.Topics include:Fishing rights and the concept of propertyPublic resource management versus private property rightsIndividual transferable quotas (ITQs) and fishing licencesThe allocation, transfer and value of fishing rightsThe role of the State in managing fisheries resourcesThe legal and governance implications of treating access to a public resource as private propertyAn episode about the sometimes blurred boundary between public resource governance and private property, and what that means for the future of fisheries management.

In this episode of the Inside Ocean Law series, Eva speaks with Mitchell Lennan from the University of Aberdeen, an expert in climate change law. We discuss impacts of climate change on fisheries and the communities that depend on them. We explore how climate change is reshaping marine ecosystems and fish stocks, the extent to which the international law of the sea is prepared to address these challenges, and the legal and governance questions that arise as fisheries shift across borders. We also discuss the social impacts of these changes, including the implications for coastal communities, livelihoods and the equitable distribution of fisheries resources.#fisheries #climate #climatechange #climatelaw #law #internationallaw #fish #ocean #marineconservation

In this highlight clip, we explore one of the most persistent challenges in global fisheries governance: why is illegal fishing so difficult to enforce?Featuring insights from Pieter van Welzen, this conversation breaks down the structural barriers that allow fisheries crimes and IUU (Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated) fishing to continue despite regulatory frameworks. From opaque ownership structures to gaps in financial transparency, the discussion reveals how beneficial ownership plays a critical role in undermining enforcement efforts.This clip is taken from a full episode focused on beneficial ownership, financial transparency, and accountability in the fisheries sector.Topics covered:Why fisheries crimes are difficult to investigate and prosecuteThe role of beneficial ownership in hiding true operatorsEnforcement gaps in international fisheries lawFinancial transparency as a tool against IUU fishingWatch the full episode for a deeper dive into fisheries compliance, legal frameworks, and global governance challenges.

In this episode, we explore how aquaculture can better leverage data, AI, and emerging technologies to improve decision-making across the sector. From farm management and production efficiency to traceability and sustainability, we discuss how smarter data systems could reshape the future of seafood production. Joined by Tony Chen from Mandolin, we unpack both the opportunities and the challenges of building a more connected and data-driven aquaculture industry.

In this episode, Eva van Heukelom speak with Matt Craze from Spheric Research about the growing role of AI and innovation in the salmon aquaculture industry. From optimising feed and monitoring fish health to improving transparency and operational decision-making, AI-driven tools are rapidly reshaping how salmon is farmed. We explore where these technologies are delivering real value, where the limitations still lie, and what this means for a responsible and resilient seafood sector. Question for Matt or Eva? Email [email protected].

Part II of Eva's conversation with Actea's Jordan Miller and Trond Kristiansen dives into one of the most pressing questions for the future of aquaculture: how climate change is already reshaping farming conditions, and what that means for long-term investment decisions.Aquaculture depends entirely on environmental stability, yet ocean and freshwater systems are changing rapidly. Rising water temperatures are already pushing many species beyond their optimal growth ranges, increasing stress, slowing growth, and making fish more vulnerable to disease and parasites. At the same time, ocean acidification is weakening shellfish development, while warming waters and nutrient shifts are driving harmful algal blooms and oxygen depletion. But this episode looks ahead. Climate projections show that suitable farming zones are shifting. What may be a viable aquaculture site today could become economically unviable within decades due to temperature changes, salinity shifts, or extreme weather events. Sea level rise, stronger storms, and changing rainfall patterns further threaten infrastructure and water quality, especially in coastal and delta regions. We discuss how better data, climate modelling, and site selection can help avoid stranded investments, and why understanding both current and future environmental conditions is no longer optional - it is central to responsible aquaculture development.This episode is essential listening for investors, policymakers, and seafood professionals navigating the intersection of aquaculture, climate risk, and long-term sustainability.#sustainability #ai #climatechange #climate #climatemodeling #aquaculture #oceans #oceanintelligence #farming

In this episode of the Ocean Intelligence series, we speak with Trond (Norway) and Jordan (US) from Actea about how predictive modeling, data, and AI are transforming fisheries management in the face of climate change. Instead of reacting to shifting fish stocks, extreme weather, and environmental uncertainty, Actea’s technology helps fisheries anticipate changes and make more proactive, informed decisions.We explore how data-driven insights can improve resilience, support sustainable fishing practices, and bridge the gap between science, policy, and industry. This conversation highlights the growing role of ocean intelligence and digital tools in shaping the future of fisheries.Part I focuses on fisheries. Part II will cover applications in aquaculture.Topics: climate change, fisheries, predictive modeling, AI, ocean data, sustainability, fisheries management, ocean intelligence, climate adaptation, technology in fisheries

What does “more technology” actually mean for fishers?In this Ocean Intelligence reflection episode, Eva sits down with fisherman Joe Letourneau to unpack the realities behind increasing tech use in fisheries. From upfront costs to unclear returns, they discuss whether digital tools are delivering value in practice.The conversation also dives into a key challenge: how fisheries data sharing is communicated, and why current approaches often miss the mark with those on the frontlines.A practical, honest discussion on technology, incentives, and bridging the gap between policy and practice.

In this episode of Ocean Intelligence, we speak with Paul Woods, co-founder and Chief Innovation Officer at Global Fishing Watch, about how technology is transforming our understanding of what happens at sea.While much attention has been given to vessel tracking transparency in fisheries, this conversation goes further. We explore how satellite data, AIS, and AI are used not only to monitor fishing activity, but also to shed light on other ocean uses, including shipping, offshore energy, and seabed mining.The discussion looks at how these tools contribute to more transparent and accountable ocean governance, while also recognising their limitations. What can we realistically detect? Where do gaps remain? And how should this data be used by governments, industry, and civil society?This episode offers a practical look at how monitoring technologies are shaping decision-making across the ocean space, and what that means for the future of seafood and beyond.

In this episode of Ocean Intelligence, Eva van Heukelom (Natural Justice) speak with Jimmy Freese from AI Fish about how electronic monitoring (EM) and artificial intelligence are changing the way fisheries data is collected and verified. From estimating catch weight and size to identifying bycatch and interactions with endangered species, these technologies offer new tools to strengthen fisheries management.At the same time, we explore the practical limitations of these systems—what they can and cannot reliably deliver, and where human oversight remains essential. This conversation brings a grounded perspective to the role of AI in fisheries, moving beyond hype to consider how these tools can realistically support more accountable and effective management.#AI #fisheries #technology #environment #oceans