The Outlaw Ocean

The high seas are beyond the reach of international law – and beyond the beat of most reporters. But Pulitzer-Prize-winner and former New York Times journalist, Ian Urbina, has sailed into uncharted territories. Urbina sets out on a years-long quest to investigate murder at sea, modern slave labour, environmental crimes and quixotic adventurers. Part travelog, part true-crime thriller, this 7-part series takes listeners to places where the laws of the land no longer exist. The Outlaw Ocean is brought to you by CBC Podcasts and the LA Times and produced by The Outlaw Ocean Project.

Recent Episodes

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Recent Reviews

Comeonthisisn'timportant

5 Stars

One of the most intriguing and illuminating stories I’ve ever followed. So grateful for Ian’s pervasive investigation and explanation of what’s going on in the world of the high seas.
🐞🐌🐝🐮🐽🐷

Christ on a Cracker folks, this podcast is THAT GOOD!

My kids asked me once if I had to be blind or deaf, what would it be? I answered “blind”. Listening to this podcast totally reinforces that answer. SO GOOD. Like season -finale -of -Succession -speechless -kind of -good.
Carrie Kroger

A triumph

Outstanding journalistic endeavors to tell unique stories that relate to all of humanity and the global environment. Each episode was riveting and engrossing, educational and emotionally-evocative
FishingAXFL

More, please.

I keep checking back on this podcast to see if there are any more episodes coming or updates…or something. Anything! I loved this podcast - the subject matter, the writing, the narration. I believe there are still plenty of true tales to be told about life in and on the ocean. Come on, guys - we loved it and want more smart, insightful and interesting reporting on what’s happening far beyond our purview!
Hadarj

I loved every moment of this meditative, but revealing reporting

I couldn’t get enough and I hope there are more episodes coming at some point. The journalism and investigation was amazing in the level of detail in what is discovered in many of the episodes. This is an enthralling series, but also very meditative because of the sound design and the peace in which the stories are told. The perfect podcast.
arichterga

Outstanding and Unique

This is one of the most unique podcasts I have listened to and I listen to a lot. It must have been in the work for years. Definitely has a point of view but I think much more intensely now about the fish I eat and the plastic bags I use. The only thing is I wish there had been a focus on systemic solutions. I left sometimes feeling hopeless about the state of our oceans.
echo dog

Stick with it - becomes riveting!

I was excited to listen to this but found the first twenty minutes a little flat. I wasn’t sure that the initial style- largely monologue - would keep my attention. So SO glad I returned to it. The story is shocking. The insights fascinating. The reporting superb. Definitely both important and entertaining.
OofiOofster

A Must Listen

Everyone needs to hear this flawlessly researched & narrated podcast. The ocean & seas make up so much of this planet, yet how often do we actually think about them?! Absolutely fantastic journalism & best podcast I've listened to in the longest time. This needs to win all the awards!
Idiza

One of the Best Podcasts

I’ve ever listened to Period.
mspassell

45656677 stars!!!!

I felt like I was in danger just listening to it.
Quickster88

Very interesting…

Really made me think. Lost me on the abortion ship episode however. We cant focus on human rights and pretend that unborn children dont count as human beings.
Mr. Clever

Amazing!

Very well done. Great storytelling and everything is backed up with research and fact. This is an important podcast to listen to. And if you like true crime or the environment, you will love it!
A1988te

Absolutely amazing

I am stunned. This podcast is incredible.
littleporkbao

So Important and Informative

This is the best podcast I have listened to in a while. It’s so sad and compelling and raises a lot of awareness and questions regarding what modern day slavery looks like and who it victimizes and how we all play a part in this. Well researched as well. I wish Lang Long the best wishes. Please Keep spreading awareness about this.
Kozmo 702

Fascinating

Loved this podcast series. I don’t have the typical fascination with the oceans, I don’t go on cruises and I don’t go to beaches so I found this series incredibly informative! I highly recommend people give this a listen. Thanks!
AliceeTheActivistt

Unlike anything else

The investigative journalism and the stories it tells are unlike anything I’ve ever come across. The host is an amazing, honest, thorough reporter. These are stories that need to be heard!
CF1112

Outstanding!

Such amazing reporting. Highly recommend!
Ptop5

Phenomenal

This is a fascinating, factual, and extremely well done production. The best I have ever heard.
TylerH3232

Hands down the best podcast I’ve heard in the last 5 years

Unbelievable episodes. Very informative and shocking. Would have paid $20 to hear this series.
damzz711

Favorite Podcast

I can’t wait for another season. As I listened it felt like I was watching a docuseries. I could visualize everything that was being said. So informative and intriguing. I learned so much and was moved by a lot of the episodes. I’ve shared this with all my friends and family. Great investigative work. Thank you.
sray1210

Compelling and informative

Every episode of this podcast was an education and a different window into the experience of living, surviving and witnessing on the sea. Thank you Mr. Urbina for your commitment and the effort required to get these stories, and thanks to you and the team for the outstanding production and writing that went into this series.
shanghaishaman

Haunting riveting addicting

Such great reporting, and love the way the footage was put together along with the music and Ian’s commentary. I’ve listened through a few times and feels new and raw each time.
Kadence404

Excellent fascinating journalism

Deeply appreciate this body of work. Highly recommend this podcast to anyone interested in the topic.
Xbound24

Incredible podcast

The stories covered in this podcast are incredible and valuable and gripping, a perfect grouping. At no point was I bored; in fact I was mostly on the edge of my seat for all of these. They are information dense but also calming in a way to listen to, despite their subject matter - the host has a calming, reassuring voice. My only complaint for the podcast is that his voice is often much lower than the rest of the audio, so when he was speaking I sometimes had to turn up the volume to hear him.
Geumpyhistory

Excellent subject and coverage

Great journalism. Follows the story where it leads. The ocean feels like a Wild West, where solutions are complex and good deeds can be unforgiving. Important podcast.
loloco65

Sadly FANTASTIC

WOW. What an eye opener. Had zero idea about this. Happy to be enlightened but devastated for ALL humans AND ALL sea life. What a brave journalist and podcaster. Not to mention the great humans trying to stop and change this disgusting atrocity
Mal2348

Great!

So interesting. Wonderful podcast. Everyone should listen.
ofwafflesandmen

Holy Fish Balls! Except not!

This reporting is absolutely mind blowing. Give this team every award ever known to the journalists. I’m no longer consuming fish not directly fished by either myself or friends nearby. Never. I am so grateful to be genuinely exposed to something I had no idea about & I consider myself a highly (albeit even more so thanks to this podcast) educated person. Listen. Now.
johnglassett1984

Northwest Fisherman

Wow.. blown away by every episode. Incredible work.. I couldn’t stop listening. Thank you for this and the incredible effort/fortitude it took to bring to life. Looking forward to any new episodes/reporting. Sea ya soon🌊🙏🏼
xxxxxtttttfffffeeeeehuguh

God bless you

God bless you for investigating this ongoing atrocity and having the courage to report it. Well done.
Lu-la-bell

So good

Should be required listening for all humans. Heard it was one of the top recommended podcasts of 2022 (by The Atlantic?) and binged in just a couple days. Enjoyed listening with my hubby so we could chat about it together.
maldivine

stand out !

this is the kind of show I'm always looking for and i wish there were more seasons of it. No chitter chatter or distractions by the hosts. it's clear, sensitive, investigative journalism of a topic that needs public awareness. I love it !
FreyrXII

Good podcast with poor narration & mixing

The host tends to speak very softly and not enunciate his words, so he’s frequently difficult to understand over the loud background music. The other speakers are louder and easier to hear.
Goinpostalonu

Tried but had to stop

I gave it 3 episodes but I had to stop during the fourth..the third episode was the most interesting but other than that very boring..hardly talked about the actual subject of this podcast
Jason E L.

Important Listening if Depressing

An essential and important series that covers the woefully neglected subject of the structural systems that underlie the rampant criminality, violence, and environmental destruction that are wrecking the ocean and thousands of innocent lives while nations do practically nothing.
Suzluv

Well Done

Such an interesting podcast! It’s evident that much research went into each episode and the delivery is flowing and appealing. Kudos!
J_H_Marie

A must listen

This is a podcast anyone who cares about our planet and human rights should listen to. I was impressed by the reporters ability to weave important details into a common themes that left me thinking in a whole new way about our oceans and what we eat.
Leesaaaaaaaaaaaa

A must listen

As a mariner this podcast hits home but would be interesting to anyone that lives on planet earth. Thought provoking and relatable. I hope there is more someday. I cried, I smiled, I had hope and fear throughout the series.
RFM VT

Unbelievably good. Deep storytelling.

I couldn’t stop listening and felt enthralled by the threading of people’s stories and facts. The complexity of the politics, policy and corruption is well done. And I’m awestruck of how invisible today’s slave trade is, especially at sea.
MSfromKY

The Outlaw Ocean

Very interesting and often shocking, but the stories unfold quite slowly. The narrator adds unnecessary details which are distracting. Maybe he’ll get more succinct as he gets more practice.
Jwunsch

Awesome podcast!

This is not something that I would typically listen to… but am so glad that I did! What a thoughtful, smart and interesting podcast! Great work.
walking the dog listening t

Best podcast I have stumbled upon

Otherworldly! Love the story flow and the sound .
theblackmariah

The best podcast I’ve ever listened to

Eye-opening. Heartbreaking. Beautiful story-telling.
Projekt_Isotope

The gold standard is exactly here.

This is the most profound podcast I’ve ever heard. Bar none. The effort and danger and stories on display are unparalleled.
jeffnanna

Eye Opening!

Thank you for educating me about the events that happen in our ocean waters.
BSZ26

Eye-opening

Engaging, impactful, and honest. Thank you for putting this series together and making the information accessible to all of us
rickdoss

Very boring

I couldn’t make it through the first episode.
Bschora

Excellent

Didn’t want it to end. There’s so much going on out there that no one knows about. Having this world illuminated was incredible.
RaeOn1999

Master class

Thank you so much for this wonderful series marvelous reporting everyone should hear this, but you know that. I’m a fan!
caikahu

Ocean lover loves this podcast!

Omgosh this is a terrific podcast. Learning about things I just had a little info about is fantastic and sometimes frustrating. The topics that are discussed are so interesting. I can’t wait for the next season!