Noontime position: 30 30.06 North, 60 22.23 WestThree days, twenty-six trawls, countless pieces of plastic, and fourteen hundred miles till we reach the Azores. Though we added 4 new crewmembers in Bermuda - an increase in bodies and decrease in personal space – the additional 3 artists, filmmaker, and veteran sailor Joel Paschal are all adjusting to the unusual routine of boat life. Bursts of activity – trawling, cleaning, cooking, sailing – followed by long bouts of waiting. Staring out to sea. And catching regular sun and moon rises – here’s Stiv greeting the day with his best Titanic rendition... (Photo above)
Since leaving Bermuda, our trawls have looked nearly identical to those we collected on our first leg – clumps of Sargassum peppered with small particles of plastic – whites, blues, grays, and the occasional pastel. Which gives staring out to sea a bittersweet tone – in this seemingly pristine landscape, impossibly clear waters stretching thousands of miles in all directions, our random samples all contain plastic.
We’re still on track with our goal of conducting a mega transect – sampling at least once every hundred miles, but the weather continues to be our wild card. After 3 dreamlike days, high winds now force us to slow down - we can’t get beyond our 100-mile limit between trawls unless we absolutely have to. Built for speed, this slow pace is torture for the Sea Dragon. At 10-15 knots, she slices through the water gracefully, an aquatic gazelle. At our trawling speed of 2-4 knots however, she plods and heaves heavily, engine growling, stray lines clanging in protest. But we have no choice but to wait – the heavier winds churn the sea surface, pushing plastic beneath the range of our trawl. So we’ll continue to pass the hours, meditate on the seascape, entertain one another, and await the next weather forecast.
20 comments:
Greetings from 4H
Are your filmmakers planning to produce a documentary or are they just documenting your travels? Will they post some of the footage on this blog site?
We have some filmmakers in our midst too! We wonder how we can upload their video for all to see. It is called "A Day In the Life of A Plastic Bottle." We would like to share it with other schools participating on this blog so they can share it with their larger school community and educate others.
During your voyage in the Atlantic Ocean, do you expect the gyre to contain the same amount of harmful plastics as the North Pacific Gyre? And what kinds of fish do you typically come across while you collect plastics?
Sean from River Ridge High School in New Port Richey, FL
Hey, I was just curious as to how the bad weather makes you unable to use your trawl. Is the force of the current too powerful and may break the trawl? I would think that you would probably obtain more plastic samples in a faster current.
- Andrew from River Ridge High School in New Port Richey, FL
Do you expect to find more plastic than you did on you last voyage or more? Have you found any similar plastic that you found in the North Pacific Gyre and what have you found that you didnt see or find in the North Pacific Gyre?
Landan, River Ridge High School, New Port Richey, Florida.
Hello, my name is Tayllor Johnson! I am from Santa Monica High School and will be monitoring your findings and progress as you travel to the Azores. I was wondering if you guys, along with picking up plastic, would be able to be of aid to any animals that you might find struggling from throw away plastic?
Thank you for your time,
Tayllor J
Hello, my name is Tayllor and I am from Santa Monica High School. I will be monitoring your findings and progress as you travel to the Azores. I was reading your entries and was wondering if it was possible to help any of the animals you may come across struggling from the effects of "throw-away" plastic?
Thank you for your time,
Tayllor J
Hizers from Terra (forth grade) in San Francisco! I was wondering what percentage of things were found in the gyre, such as toys, food wrappers, packaging, or just things that don't work all together so we can avoid putting them in the ocean ourselves.
We are students of South Gate Middle School Magnet and I think what you are doing is great for all the sea animals and the environment.
Sincerly, A&C
:)
Hello, we are students from South Gate Middle School, Ms. Walker's class.
We want to learn more about your amazing journey to find gyres and research on them. We would really appreciate it if you could tell us more. We would also like when you come to L.A you could stop by our shool and classroom so we could learn more. THANK YOU!
I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW THE BIGGEST AMOUNT OF PLASTIC YOU HAVE FOUND IN A FISH?
Hi Im Natalie with my partner Alejandra and we think that your job is cool. We want to thank you for helping our enviroment by finding ways to be one step closer to a cleaner ocean, because its our duty to help our ocean and what you are doing will make a difference.
from
SouthGate Middle School
Hi scientists!
My name is Jessica and i am in sixth grade at Christensen Middle School. I have a question for you. Were you surprised to find that great amount of plastic at the bottom of the ocean, or did you have an idea of what was down at the bottom of the ocean.
Mrs. Brinker's science class.
HEY SCIENTISTS!! :)
THIS IS GURPREET, FROM CHRISTENSEN MIDDLE SCHOOL. FROM MRS. BRINKERS CLASS! I WANTED TO KNOW WHAT TYPES OF FISH DO YOU USUALLY COME ACROSS TO? ALSO HAVE YOU EVER SEEN ANY TOYS OR OTHER GARBAGE ON YOUR TRIP?
THANKS!!
Hi scientists!
My name is Jessica and i am in sixth grade at Christensen Middle School. I have a question for you. Were you surprised to find that great amount of plastic at the bottom of the ocean, or did you have an idea of what was down at the bottom of the ocean.
Mrs. Brinker's science class.
Hey scientists,
This is a Jovavna at christensen middle school in Mrs. Brinker's class. I was wondering what types of fish you and your crew usually find and what they look like and their names. Also, about how many pieces of garbage have you seen in the ocean?
Hey scientists,
This is a Jovavna at christensen middle school in Mrs. Brinker's class. I was wondering what types of fish you and your crew usually find and what they look like and their names. Also, about how many pieces of garbage have you seen in the ocean?
Hey scientists,
This is a Jovavna at christensen middle school in Mrs. Brinker's class. I was wondering what types of fish you and your crew usually find and what they look like and their names. Also, about how many pieces of garbage have you seen in the ocean?
Hello, my name is Julie, and I am in Mrs. Brinker's 6th grade science class. I enjoyed your interesting articles very much. Ever since I started to learn about the ocean, I have loved to learn about it. Have you identified any new species of underwater animals while collecting plastic? If so, what are you calling the new species, and how many new species have you found?
Thanks,
Julie
Hi I was wondering how life at sea was? What can I do to help prevent plastic in the ocean?
University High School
Los Angeles, California
9th grade
Hello. Life at Sea seems so beautiful. The scenery is amazing. What are hardships do you face at Sea? How do you deal with the motion sickness?
Alexandra
University High School
Los Angeles, CA
Grade 9
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