North Pacific 2018 Archives - eXXpedition

Have you heard of the ocean garbage patches? - Als

Have you heard of the ocean garbage patches?
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Also known as gyres, there are 5 large systems of rotating ocean currents which are formed by global wind patterns and the Earth’s rotation. As you can see in the video, as the gyres circulate ocean waters, they also draw in marine debris, concentrating it into a “soup” of plastic.
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During the second leg of eXXpedition Round the World, our voyage leg sponsors and scientific partner @copernicus_eu Marine Service and Mercator Ocean helped guide us to the first gyre of our journey - the North Atlantic Gyre.
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In our round the world voyage, we found the greatest total number of microplastics in surface waters on Leg 2, through the North Atlantic gyre (although the largest amount found in a single trawl was on Leg 5!).
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In each sample collected there was an average of 70 pieces of microplastic. Every sample was then analysed onboard using an FTIR from @PerkinElmer, and the vast majority of what we found was HDPE.

Just before the Leg 2 crew set sail from the Azore

Just before the Leg 2 crew set sail from the Azores, a slight weather delay kept us on shore a little longer than expected… but the extra time on land didn’t go to waste as it allowed the crew to kick off the science programme!⁠
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The crew set about conducting a land-based waste management survey using the CapLite method - which contributes towards @JennaJambeck’s research at the @UniofGA - collecting sediment samples, and taking part in a nurdle hunt across Santa Barbara beach where they found 424 nurdles in less than 30 minutes!⁠
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Though our science programme is on pause, you can all take part in citizen science to track plastic waste by using the #marinedebristracker.⁠
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Photo by Erica Cirino

Today marks the one year anniversary of Leg 2 of o

Today marks the one year anniversary of Leg 2 of our Round The World Voyage!⁠
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On 27th October 2019 the crew for eXXpedition leg 2 arrived in the Azores to prepare for the crossing from the Azores to Antigua, via the North Atlantic Gyre.⁠
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Onboard this leg, the multidisciplinary crew hailed from Malta, Austria, Latvia, Denmark, UK and the United States, and included an insurance broker, a costume designer, a sociologist and a primary school teacher!⁠
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Happy anniversary Leg 2!⁠
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Photo by Erica Cirino

“We’re at that interesting transition of turni

“We’re at that interesting transition of turning this awareness and enthusiasm into actually tangible action.”⁠
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Last week, our co-founder @missemilypenn spoke alongside other women taking action against climate change in a panel discussion hosted by @SAPsports.⁠
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Watch the panel now, link in bio!
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Photo by @sophiedingwall

Last week, we had the very exciting opportunity to

Last week, we had the very exciting opportunity to sit down with an all-female crew that, like eXXpedition, are about to embark to one of the remotest, most challenging environments on the planet.
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We caught up with analogue astronaut crew, WoMars (@WoMars_crew) for a zoom call to chat about the similarities and differences between space and sea voyages - and the power of an all female crew!
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In the first two weeks of February 2021, the WoMars all-female crew of 6 scientists, engineers and geologists will begin a 14-day mission under Mars-like conditions.
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Head over to the link in our bio now to watch the call!
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Photo by @uke.go.girl

“At the start of the voyage, we were noticing a

“At the start of the voyage, we were noticing a little bit more plastic each day, it was building up slowly. Then one day, overnight, there was a noticeable difference. We saw bigger pieces like trays and buoys. It was a scary shift. I remember that part very clearly. And then it was such a slap in the face when we took out the first sample and found it to be full of microplastics. That was hard to see with my own eyes.”⁠
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Did you catch Siri’s interview on our blog last week? A year on from sailing with eXXpedition designer, storyteller and eXXpedition ambassador Siri gave us her insight on the plastics issue and what she’s been up to back on land.⁠
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Link in bio to read⁠
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Photo by: Marte Rekaa

“Once industry is able to prove that the solutio

“Once industry is able to prove that the solutions out there exist, then governments will actually have something to legislate. I think there is still a lot of progress that needs to be made to get the legislation that is needed.”⁠
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eXXpedition co-founder @MissEmilyPenn was featured on France 24! Talking all things microplastics, all-female sailing voyages and how consumer demand is forcing businesses to reconsider the sustainability of their products, catch up on Emily’s interview now, link in bio.⁠
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Photo by: Anja Roennfeldt

It’s easy to think that you have to be a marine

It’s easy to think that you have to be a marine biologist to help protect the ocean. But the truth is, we all have a part to play.
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At eXXpedition, we encourage people to find their superpower, and harness it to create real change. Whether you’re a scientist, a painter, a woman in business or a doctor, we each have our own role when it comes to protecting the ocean.
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It is so exciting to see this message delivered in a new book: “Advice from the Ocean: Unexpected Paths into Marine Conservation” (@advicefromtheocean) which features contributions from not only our co-founder @missemilypenn, but also three of our amazing guest crew, Geospatial Technologist, Marena Brinkhurst (@marena_b), Sea Shepherd, Surf and Yoga Environmentalist, Natalie Fox (@yogarama_uk) and Creative Consultant, Juliana Corrales (@jcs87), who have offered their unique insights into a multidisciplinary approach to marine conservation.
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“Advice from the Ocean: Unexpected Paths into Marine Conservation” is now available on Amazon! Link in bio

Photos by: @sophiedingwall @jamierandimaging @carrysomers

Is it too late to stop climate change? “8-in-10

Is it too late to stop climate change?

“8-in-10 people see climate change as a major threat to their country. At the same time an overwhelming majority cannot imagine giving up frequent flying, SUV driving and meat eating. How does that fit together? Is personal accountability the path to climate action? Or do we need to look to the corporations and governments to accelerate change and influence personal behavior? Who is in the driving seat for climate action?”

Tomorrow at 9am (ET), our co-founder @missemilypenn will be speaking alongside other women taking action against climate change in a panel discussion hosted by @SAPsports.

Register now through the link in our bio.

Photo by: @sapsports

In recent months, a 260 strong Chinese fishing fle

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