4ocean Sea Life Encounters: Rescues and Releases

From baby sea turtles to whale sharks, our crews have helped save marine life all around the world

4ocean was founded on the belief that business can be a force for good and that the single actions of individual people, collectively, have the power to change the world. Because of you, our crews are on the water and cleaning the ocean seven days a week. And sometimes, that puts them in a unique position to help marine life impacted by plastic pollution.

4ocean Florida crew rescues baby leatherback sea turtles

Shout out to the Florida crew who saved some baby leatherback sea turtles back in July! They noticed the little hatchlings while cleaning debris in Florida’s Intracoastal Waterway and, after getting approval from the appropriate authorities, they released them into the open ocean. Stay safe little ones! 

4ocean Bali crews rescue an entangled bottlenose dolphin

It was a routine cleanup mission for Vessel Unit 4 when the crew spotted a floating patch of debris in the Pebuahan Ocean on Tuesday. As they taxied closer, cleanup gear at the ready, they noticed something alarming: a bottlenose dolphin was entangled in the debris. We caught up with Alex, Co-Found and CEO, to get his thoughts about this incredible rescue:

4ocean crews release baby sea turtles with Gumbo Limbo Nature Center

When our friends at Gumbo Limbo Nature Center rescued several baby sea turtles that had ingested microplastic, they weren’t doing so well. But after careful nursing and rehabilitation at the center, the hatchlings were ready to return home! Gumbo Limbo asked if 4ocean could lend a hand, so we sent a boat and a camera crew to capture the footage you see here.

Entangled seabird rescued by 4ocean Bali crews

In January 2021, one of our Bali river crews found an entangled seabird during a normal cleanup of the Ijo Gading River. The bird had about two pounds of fishing line wrapped around its leg and one of its wings. Our crew cut the line and checked for injuries (which amounted to some torn feathers) before releasing it back into the mangrove forest where it lives.

4ocean Bali crews encounter a whale shark in heavily polluted waters

With a global population that was reduced by half in just 75 years, whale sharks have become an endangered species. Plastic pollution and overfishing are some of the biggest threats they face. Our crews in Bali recently encountered one of these gentle giants swimming through seas heavily polluted by plastic, a reminder of our mission and the urgent need for action.

We’re only there because you care

Saving animals while recovering ocean plastic is a prime example of how business can be a force for good and how the pounds you pull make a difference for the ocean each and every day. 

Visit our shop to browse all of our Awareness Bracelets, which represent animals and ecosystems impacted by plastic pollution, and clean the ocean with every purchase!