© Gerry Burns
This picture of Charlie Moore and me was taken aboard the oceanographic research vessel Alguita in 2006, when I was researching TRACKING TRASH. Charlie and his crew took me out on the Pacific to show me how they collect seawater samples for plastic analysis. The things I learned that day are never far from my mind. Like the fact that Charlie and his team “find plastic everywhere they look for it” in the world ocean. Like the fact that 80% of the plastic trash in the ocean comes from land sources (i.e. you and me).
If any of this interests you, you should check out the ORV Alguita blog. Charlie and his team recently kicked of the first leg of a three-stage journey to further investigate ocean pollution and, as always, they are working hard to educate the public along the way. The blog has daily updates on the work they are doing and the things they are finding out there on the ocean.