News - eXXpedition

Meeting on Zoom for the first time with Mission Le

Meeting on Zoom for the first time with Mission Leader Sally (@planetearthrowl), we’re thrilled to introduce you to the multidisciplinary crew onboard the first leg of our virtual voyage!

Yvonne, an Artist from Micronesia
Jackie, Founder of The Last Plastic Straw from the USA (@noplasticstraw)
Susanna, a Business Owner/Management Consultant from Austria (@s.mitterer)
Amelie, a Sailor & Photographer from Canada (@amiralephoto)
Catherine, a Journalist & Public Affairs Consultant from Belgium (@catc.co)
Helena, a Sustainability Manager from Iceland (@helenaoladottir)
Phoebe, a Student from the UK
Pallavi, a Designer/Maker from the UK (@inkwell.studios)
Esther, a Writer & Designer from the USA (@wayfinders_now)
Eugenie, a Project Manager from Switzerland
Karey, a Content Producer from Canada (@kbillykbilly)

And two bursary recipients, made possible via our partnership with @commonwealth_sec
Aunofo, the first female captain from Tonga (@aunofohavea)
Eleni, a Sustainability Entrepreneur from Tonga

Thank you to their sponsors for supporting their virtual journey, including @plasticpollutes, @baufritz_uk, @BadmintonSchool and Syngroup.

Remotely and back on land, we’re continuing to t

Remotely and back on land, we’re continuing to tackle plastic pollution both at a local and global scale. Thanks to all of our partners all around the world who have massively supported us and make it possible for us to continue our route around the world virtually, especially our Gold and Silver sponsors at @tomracollection @wearetraveledge @redensigngroup @11thhourracing and our new collaboration with the @commonwealth_sec.

We are excited to kick off our first Virtual Voyag

We are excited to kick off our first Virtual Voyage this Friday!

13 women will be joining us (virtually) from across the globe, hailing from Micronesia, USA, Austria, Canada, Belgium, Iceland, Tonga and the UK. Each of the multidisciplinary crew - including a photographer, sustainability manager and student - will bring their own unique superpower.

As they navigate through their virtual journey, the crew will analyse microplastic samples online with mission leader Sally (@planetearthrowl), conduct their own waste management survey in their local area and take part in a workshop exploring solutions to plastic pollution from sea to source.

During Watch 5, we will explore local challenges and opportunities by engaging with local stakeholders from Tonga on Zoom to learn more about how the Polynesian archipelago and island nation is affected by plastic pollution.

Like everybody else around the world, we’ve had to shift our sails and find new ways to continue to make an impact at a time where urgent action is needed, and we’re thrilled to embark on this new adventure.

Thank you to all who tuned into our Ship to Shore

Thank you to all who tuned into our Ship to Shore YouTube live session with the crew from @Schmitocean’s RV Falkor last night!

Here are some of the highlights...

Dr Winnie Courtene Jones @_winniecj and Dr Derya Gurer @geoceanic compared the differences in microplastic samples found on SV TravelEdge versus RV Falkor’s missions.

eXXpedition ambassador and artist Juliana Corrales @jcs87 and Artist-at-Sea Jessica Leitmais @jessleitmanis talked about how our interactions with art can help to create dialogue around the ocean.

Our co-founder @missemilypenn took us through the SHiFT platform and how we can use storytelling back on land to help tackle the problem at sea!

Catch up with the session on YouTube via the link in our bio

This time next week, we’ll be kicking off our fi

This time next week, we’ll be kicking off our first virtual voyage!
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We’ve shifted sails, taking what we’ve seen at sea to create impact both on land and online. Inspired by many of the best parts of eXXpedition’s at-sea missions, our virtual voyages will take crew on a two week journey from wherever they may be in the world!
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They’re designed to give guest crew an in-depth understanding of the true impact of the plastics issue, forge and deepen relationships within our eXXpedition global community, develop solutions-based thinking and result in an action plan to apply crew superpowers to solve the problem. Find out more about virtual voyages through the link in our bio!
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Photos by @jcs87, @_winniecj, and @missemilypenn

Join us on Monday as eXXpedition co-founder @misse

Join us on Monday as eXXpedition co-founder @missemilypenn, Science Lead Dr. @_winniecj and ambassador @jcs87 catch up with the team onboard Schmidt Ocean Institute’s (@schmidtocean) RV Falkor, including eXXpedition crew member Derya Guerer (@geoceanic), @debs1880 and @jessleitmanis who are currently conducting research in the Pacific.
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The panel will be discussing how each crew approaches the plastics issue, conducting science at sea and creating change back on land - and there’ll be a peek into RV Falkor’s science control room and wet lab!
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Tune in at 6am Brisbane / 12pm PT / 8pm UK.

What ocean related podcasts are keeping you entert

What ocean related podcasts are keeping you entertained in lockdown?
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Two of our North Pacific ambassadors and marine scientists, @Ocean_Row and @Em_Dunkers got (virtually) together to record an episode of Making Waves podcast!
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Tune in now on Apple Podcasts

There are over 5 trillion plastic fragments in the

There are over 5 trillion plastic fragments in the ocean – but many times that sinking!
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But it’s a common misconception that all microplastics float on the surface of the sea… marine litter also sinks! Some studies even estimate that 70% of ocean plastic sinks to the sea floor.
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This is due to ocean mixing processes, such as wind and wave action, which can push debris into different layers of the ocean!
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Using our manta trawl, Niskin bottle and Van Veen sediment grab, we’ve collected samples from different ocean layers - surface, subsurface and sediment - to find out just where plastic is ending up!
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Photo @anja.roennfeldt

From individual to workplace, local community to e

From individual to workplace, local community to entire nations, no matter who we are or where we come from, we each have a role in addressing the challenges our ocean faces.
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How will you use your superpowers to create change this year?

To kick off the new year, the EU has ruled on impo

To kick off the new year, the EU has ruled on importing and exporting plastic waste shipments!
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At the end of 2020, the European Commission decided on new rules which dictate which plastic waste can be exported from the EU to developing nations. -
Under these new rules, all non-recyclable plastic waste has been banned from export, with only clean plastic waste for recycling allowed to be shipped.
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Previously, shipments of plastic waste have been sent abroad to developing nations from the EU, where waste can end up being poorly managed, burned or dumped in the sea.
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It will be interesting to see which legislation will come out 2021!
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Photo by @sophiedingwall

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