Hawaiian Crew Goes On A 48-Day Expedition And Sets Record For Largest Haul Of Plastic Removed From The Great Pacific Garbage Patch
Plastic became globally mass-produced 65 years ago and since then, the amount of plastic we use has skyrocketed. So has plastic pollution. In 2015, 387 million tons of plastic were produced compared to 2 million manufactured in 1950. The staggering overconsumption of this material has a devastating effect on the environment with our oceans suffering the worst by far. It has been estimated that 8 million pieces of plastic pollution find their way into the ocean every day, which adds up to the 5.25 trillion pieces that are currently there.
More info: oceanvoyagesinstitute.org
Recently, the Ocean Voyages Institute’s vessel came back after a 48-day expedition, successfully removing 103 tons (206,000 lbs.) of trash from the Pacific ocean
Image credits: Ocean Voyages Institute
Plastic waste results in the death of 100 million marine animals annually and it’s estimated that by 2050, it will greatly outnumber the fish in the ocean.
Image credits: Ocean Voyages Institute
Without a doubt, we are losing our oceans, which are responsible for producing half of the world’s oxygen, to our excessive plastic consumption. Luckily, there are people who are trying to put a stop to this by cleaning the mess we all have caused, literally.
The crew has set a new record with the largest at sea clean-up in the Gyre to date
Image credits: Ocean Voyages Institute
On June 23, the Ocean Voyages Institute’s marine plastic recovery vessel came back from a heroic voyage. After a 48-day expedition, 103 tons (206,000 lbs) of fishing nets and consumer plastics were removed from the Great Pacific garbage patch, also known as the Gyre and Pacific trash vortex.
Image credits: Ocean Voyages Institute
To date, it’s the largest at-sea clean-up in the Great Pacific garbage patch.
Image credits: Ocean Voyages Institute
Image credits: Ocean Voyages Institute
“I am so proud of our hard-working crew. We exceeded our goal of capturing 100 tons of toxic consumer plastics and derelict ‘ghost’ nets, and in these challenging times, we are continuing to help restore the health of our ocean, which influences our own health and the health of the planet,” said Mary Crowley, founder and executive director of Ocean Voyages Institute.
Image credits: Ocean Voyages Institute
Image credits: Ocean Voyages Institute
Thanks to Crowley’s effective methods to remove massive amounts of plastics from the ocean, the successful mission has removed 48 tons (96,000 lbs) during two ocean clean-ups in 2019.
Image credits: Ocean Voyages Institute
Image credits: Ocean Voyages Institute
However, even after setting a new record for plastic clean-up this year, the Pacific Gyre, which is located halfway between Hawaii and California, still remains the largest area with the most plastic.
Image credits: Ocean Voyages Institute
Image credits: Ocean Voyages Institute
The huge amount of trash that has been recently collected by the Ocean Voyages Institute is currently being prepared for upcycling and proper disposal.
Image credits: Ocean Voyages Institute
Image credits: Ocean Voyages Institute
“In keeping with our commitment to environmental stewardship, Matson has been searching for a way to get involved in cleaning up the Pacific Gyre. We’ve been impressed with the groundbreaking efforts of Ocean Voyages Institute and the progress they’ve made with such a small organization, and we hope our support will help them continue this important work,” said Matt Cox, chairman and CEO.
Image credits: Ocean Voyages Institute
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Share on FacebookWe are not 'losing' our oceans, we are killing them. This is not an accident or fatality that we are witnessing, powerless. It is a murder we are all complicit by refusing to change of consumption habits.
I believe that the majority DO want to change their consumption habit - but don't have enough choices, or solutions. eg if all the milk is only available in plastic bottles, a buyer has no choice but to buy milk in a plastic bottle. If there is no recycling availble in your area, it's impossible to recycle that plastic bottle. I believe that the sooner there are more environmentally-sound options available, the sooner people will willingly take those options. Sadly, I think that cleanup / recycling will soon be the next big-business, but only when it's so bad that those services can be over-charged by big business. :(
Load More Replies...This is awesome! I just checked out their website. It tells how you can help financially or by volunteering. I plan on helping in any way I can. I hope others do as well.
Beautifully said. I'll follow your example and check how I can help
Load More Replies...So many nets! Are they all trash in them selves, or are they use for trawling the plastics?
Around 50% of all plastic pollution in the ocean is created by industrial fishing (lost nets and other gear).
Load More Replies...They took it to Hawaii. So now the trash is there.
Load More Replies...Netting by irresponsible fishing vessels destroying everything in it's path. Why can't people not pick up their s**t and dispose of it properly? Most people do not deserve this beautiful planet
I think this is so great, but I'm just wondering where they put the plastic they removed.
This breaks my heart that our oceans are dumps! Humans have done this and it is so obscene! There must be huge fines for anyone caught dumping into the oceans! We are killing our fish and no one seams to care! It must stop!
This is a beautiful story! so proud of what they are doing. please read the article before you say something, most if not all your questions are answered in the story.
Sadly, I believe many living animals are caught up in the plastic garbage when the crew lifts it onto the vessel. I hope the crew salvages the marine lives that they can reach in time.
It is just heart breaking to see all that trash in our Ocean. It's hard to imagine that people just throw trash on the ground, in the ocean, just anywhere.
We are not 'losing' our oceans, we are killing them. This is not an accident or fatality that we are witnessing, powerless. It is a murder we are all complicit by refusing to change of consumption habits.
I believe that the majority DO want to change their consumption habit - but don't have enough choices, or solutions. eg if all the milk is only available in plastic bottles, a buyer has no choice but to buy milk in a plastic bottle. If there is no recycling availble in your area, it's impossible to recycle that plastic bottle. I believe that the sooner there are more environmentally-sound options available, the sooner people will willingly take those options. Sadly, I think that cleanup / recycling will soon be the next big-business, but only when it's so bad that those services can be over-charged by big business. :(
Load More Replies...This is awesome! I just checked out their website. It tells how you can help financially or by volunteering. I plan on helping in any way I can. I hope others do as well.
Beautifully said. I'll follow your example and check how I can help
Load More Replies...So many nets! Are they all trash in them selves, or are they use for trawling the plastics?
Around 50% of all plastic pollution in the ocean is created by industrial fishing (lost nets and other gear).
Load More Replies...They took it to Hawaii. So now the trash is there.
Load More Replies...Netting by irresponsible fishing vessels destroying everything in it's path. Why can't people not pick up their s**t and dispose of it properly? Most people do not deserve this beautiful planet
I think this is so great, but I'm just wondering where they put the plastic they removed.
This breaks my heart that our oceans are dumps! Humans have done this and it is so obscene! There must be huge fines for anyone caught dumping into the oceans! We are killing our fish and no one seams to care! It must stop!
This is a beautiful story! so proud of what they are doing. please read the article before you say something, most if not all your questions are answered in the story.
Sadly, I believe many living animals are caught up in the plastic garbage when the crew lifts it onto the vessel. I hope the crew salvages the marine lives that they can reach in time.
It is just heart breaking to see all that trash in our Ocean. It's hard to imagine that people just throw trash on the ground, in the ocean, just anywhere.
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