Back in November of 2018, we were so excited about the launch of the 4ocean Ocean Plastic Recovery Vessel and totally fired up to start cleaning up massive amounts of plastic pollution from river mouths and the ocean. But, we quickly learned that she just wasn't quite ready to start her mission. So, it was back to the shipyard for some modifications. Check out all the new things we needed to get her back underway.
When 4ocean began in January 2017, we had no idea that within a couple of years there would be 4ocean Cleanup Operations on two continents and the Caribbean. The 1-Year Anniversary of the 4ocean Haiti location passed just a short time ago so we sent our video and photography team south to capture the milestone and the ensuing celebration –– boy what a party it turned out to be!
Florida is known as the "Fishing Capital of the World," but in recent years, the world-renowned fisheries of the coastal estuaries and Everglades have been in decline as a direct result of decades of water mismanagement. To raise awareness about a unique ecosystem on the verge of collapse, we released the Everglades Bracelet in partnership with Captains For Clean Water, a nonprofit organization who's been on the front lines of the fight for the restoration of this UNESCO World Heritage Site.
We teamed up with the Miami Police Department Marine Division and their Youth Police Explorers to clean up Pace Picnic Island in Miami's famous Biscayne Bay, which is home to many endangered species and other fish and animals that need protection from ocean plastic pollution. And, wow, wait until you see some of the things that we found during the cleanup.
When most people think about the Florida Everglades, the last thing they probably think about is Disney World, EPCOT, and Universal Studios. But the reality is, just south and east of these world-famous Orlando theme parks, there is a little-known waterway called Shingle Creek winding its way behind such luxurious resorts as the Ritz Carlton, the Rosen, and JW Marriott. Surprisingly enough, this is where the water story begins –– this is where Everglades begins. And unfortunately, where the problems begin, too.
4ocean and Project AWARE recently reunited to #DiveAgainstDebris. With more than 54,000 participants worldwide, each and every dive brings new things to the surface that don't belong in the ocean environment. The data these divers collect is placed in a database that allows scientists to study what many refer to as "Garbology." Check out the video update to see us in action!
4ocean, in partnership with the Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation, is part of a very unique expedition to attach satellite tags to whale sharks so that their movements and behaviors can be analyzed, which will hopefully give us a better understanding of their migratory patterns and way of life.
There is a man, an adventurer, an incredible athlete that is out in the middle of the Great Pacific Garbage Patch today free swimming in the vast blue expanse of the now infamous trash gyre to raise awareness about and help advance the science of plastic pollution in the ocean. This expedition is called The Vortex Swim and it is helping move the needle on the science of ocean plastic pollution.
Whale sharks' enormous size may deter most predators, but it doesn't protect them from ocean plastic pollution. While they're the biggest fish in the sea, whale sharks are most threatened by the tiniest plastic particles polluting the ocean: microplastic.
What happens from the time leatherbacks are hatchlings to the time they're adults? That's exactly what our partner, Florida Atlantic University® Marine Research Lab, is trying to find out. They're one of the only institutions in the world to successfully raise leatherback hatchlings in the lab. Here's why that matters.
SeaTrees are a new concept in ocean conservation from SustainableSurf.org. These "regenerative" projects create an #OceanPositive effect because they protect and restore critical habits that sequester carbon at up to 5x's the rate of terrestrial forests. Learn more about SustainableSurf.org and what you can do to plant your first SeaTree.
The 4ocean team hit the water in an attempt to help break the Guinness World Record for the Largest Underwater Cleanup. It was a group effort that included people from all over the world coming together for one purpose –– to clean the ocean. Having pulled thousands of pounds of trash and debris from the ocean, check inside to see just how many people it took to set the new mark.
Each year we mark World Oceans Day on our calendar knowing that it's one of our biggest opportunities to reach millions of people around the world at once with our message of a cleaner ocean. This year, New York City, the United Nations, the Peace Boat, and Rockaway Beach played host to the 4ocean team for the weekend and as it turns out, World Oceans Day 2019 was an adventure beyond our wildest expectations.
Traveling 80 miles across the Gulfstream in the Atlantic Ocean can be a daunting task in a boat. Now think about making that same crossing on a paddleboard — intimidating, right? Now imagine that you have cystic fibrosis, an inherited disorder that causes damage to your lungs as well as other organs. Do you think you could make it?
For our May 2019 bracelet, we had the chance to showcase an animal that generally doesn't get a lot of attention when it comes to ocean conservation––the incredible octopus. But thanks to "Octo Girl" and her research, these animals may play an even bigger role in the future health of coral reefs and the ocean.
The leatherback sea turtle is one of the oldest living turtle species in the world, dating back to the time of dinosaurs. Their adaptations for life in the open ocean have served them well for millennia, however, the same characteristics that once helped these ancient creatures to survive are now causing them some real modern problems.
Recent headlines have been a stark reminder that we're not just dealing with a little bit of plastic in the ocean; we are dealing with an ocean plastic pollution crisis. From some of the most remote islands in the Indian Ocean to the deepest depths of the Pacific Ocean, ocean plastic has been found. It even has the potential to affect atmospheric oxygen levels which could one day inhibit our ability to breathe. These are the latest news stories covering the ocean plastic crisis.
Around the world, many species both on land and in the sea are facing the most important fight of their lives –– the one that could potentially be the final fight to exist on this planet. Today is Endangered Species Day and we want to recognize the peril of these iconic animals in hopes of bringing attention to their plight and call out some amazing work our non-profit partners are doing to save these creatures.
It was a chance meeting between a marketer and a famous musician that sparked the passion to change the future of the ocean and led to the creation of our partner organization, Ocean Conservancy®, a global force for ocean conservation. Check out some of the incredible programs they are involved in and find out who that famous musician was.
In early April 2019, the 4ocean team had the pleasure of attending the Coral Restoration Foundation™ "Raise the Reef" Gala to help support the amazing work they are doing to restore and protect coral reefs in the Florida Keys and around the world. It was a night of insight and inspiration that will ultimately lead to the type of immediate action we need to save these precious underwater ecosystems for future generations.
If you guessed a group of incredibly dedicated and eco-aware 5th graders from Princeton Day School in New Jersey, you'd be correct! The students discovered 4ocean on the internet and began to research exactly what it is that we do. See how our inspiration is helping them raise awareness about the ocean plastic pollution crisis and how their effort has grown into something even bigger!
We take a trip around the world and pull some of the stories making headlines with regards to ocean plastic pollution. Our goal is to show you just how pervasive the problem is and to highlight all the different storylines that this problem produces every day. From the UK to Siesta Key, FL the plastic crisis hits home and its up to us to help stop it at the source.
Octopuses are part of the "cephalopoda" class of mollusks, which literally means "head-foot," and they're some of the most intelligent and elusive creatures in the ocean. They have an uncanny ability to disappear into their surroundings to escape predators or to hunt for their prey, but ocean plastic pollution is threatening their habits all over the world. Inside, there are links to some awesome videos we put together that will amaze you and leave you heartbroken at the same time.
Microplastics aren't only found in the ocean. The prevalence and widespread nature of these plastic particles threaten all four corners of our planet. From the tiniest cracks of mountain ranges to the smallest crevices in sea ice. Discover all the unexpected and alarming places researchers have found microplastics.