James Nikitine/Blue Cradle NZ

This week, we are unveiling the founder of Blue Cradle NZ, James Nikitine.James is an oceanic conservationist, communicator and policy advisor who is seeking to bring the reality of marine welfare to the forefront of our collective minds. During the COVID-19 lockdown in New Zealand, James brought Blue Cradle to life; a solutions focussed organisation which aims to enable a regenerative, sustainable blue economy through collaborative research, education and communication.We spoke about a great deal of topics, and we could have spoken about so many more! There might be a podcast part 2 in the future…We clarified what the term ‘ocean literacy’ means and how it is a fundamental value that underpins Blue Cradle’s operations.We addressed Indigenous connection the ocean and what colonised countries can learn from this. From an operational perspective, we spoke about Blue Cradle’s pilot program (working with penguins!), the work behind finding and equipping a research vessel, and other steps in getting an organisation such as this off the ground.We also play with some fun ideas, and outline why they may not be as outlandish as you would think; living under the ocean Atlantis style, and renaming our planet from ‘Earth’ to ‘Ocean’, for example.Enjoy!