In this episode, we sit down with Tré Packard, founder and Executive Director of PangeaSeed Foundation, to explore how public art can turn abstract ocean science into something people can see, feel, and act on. From shark fin markets in Asia to large-scale mural festivals and fine art print releases, Tré walks through how PangeaSeed built a global model that funds conservation work, supports artists, and brings the ocean into city streets.

In this episode, you’ll hear about:

Art as a gateway to empathy – why emotional connection is as important as scientific literacy for driving change, especially for people who will never put on a mask or scuba tank.
The origin of Sea Walls – how the uncovering of the largest shark finning operation in the world and a mural in a Sri Lanka sparked the idea of using large-scale public art as a democratic, free platform for ocean stories.

Printed Oceans and the “business of conservation” – how limited-edition fine art prints create a circular economy that funds programs, supports artists, and brings conservation narratives into homes, schools, and workplaces.
Cross-sector collaborations – examples of working with dive agencies, city governments, brands, and international institutions to align communications, funding, and science around local ocean threats.

Longevity and resilience in ocean advocacy – lessons from 15+ years in the field, including burnout, hope, and how to keep going when the problems are heavy and long-term.

PangeaSeed Foundation is a nonprofit working at the intersection of art, science, and education to advance ocean conservation. Through programs like Sea Walls: Artists for Oceans, Printed Oceans, and their Impact and Commissioned Programs, PangeaSeed connects scientists and communities with a global network of artists to turn complex marine issues into accessible visual stories. Their work addresses priority ocean challenges such as overfishing, plastic pollution, and climate impacts worldwide.

PangeaSeed Foundation

Website: https://www.pangeaseed.org
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pangeaseed

Sea Walls: Artists for Oceans (PangeaSeed public art program)
- Website: https://www.seawalls.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/seawalls
Printed Oceans (fine art print program)
- Program page: https://pangeaseed.org/printed-oceans/
Tré Packard – Photography Portfolio
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/abovebelowphoto/

Other Mentioned Organizations

Protect Blue

Protect Blue
- Website: https://protect.blue
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/protect.blue
Application / program pages
- Undercurrent (program page with application): https://protect.blue/undercurrent
- Blue Campus (community & program hub): https://protect.blue/campus

PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors)

Website: https://www.padi.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paditv

United Nations & UN Ocean Conference

UN Ocean Conference (information page): https://www.un.org/en/conferences/ocean2025
United Nations – main organization
- Website: https://www.un.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unitednations Influencer Database

IUCN – International Union for Conservation of Nature

Website: https://www.iucn.org
Instagram (IUCN Congress): https://www.instagram.com/iucn_congress

REEF Roundup & REEF Scuba

REEF Roundup – Marine conservation podcast (this show)
- Website: ⁠https://reef-roundup.com⁠ ⁠
- Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/reefroundup⁠
REEF Scuba – Nonprofit behind REEF Roundup
- Website: ⁠https://www.reef-scuba.org⁠ ⁠

Tré Packard of PangeaSeed: Using Art to Make Marine Conservation Visible | S4E3