Clean up ocean plastic pollution

Marine professionals are the first witnesses of ocean pollution. To enable them to take action against this scourge, The SeaCleaners offers a programme of Volunteer Observers.

Created in 2016 by skipper Yvan Bourgnon, The SeaCleaners is a public interest association dedicated to the preservation of the oceans. The SeaCleaners' crew contributes to the reduction of plastic pollution and develops actions on land and at sea. In particular, we have come up with an innovative solution: THE MANTA, which will be the first offshore vessel capable of collecting and mass treating floating ocean waste before it fragments. An Observer Member of the United Nations Environment Organisation, and supported by the Albert II Foundation of Monaco and the CCI France International, The SeaCleaners has set itself four main objectives:

• The environment, with the collection of floating waste
• The circular economy, with the implementation of recycling loops for the collected waste.
• The scientist, with the availability of the Manta as a platform for research and studies
• Pedagogy, with the development of awareness-raising activities for the impacted populations.

On the occasion of the international BOOT 2020 exhibition, held in Düsseldorf from 18 to 26 January, The SeaCleaners announced the launch of its first ever recruitment campaign for Volunteer Observers.

An observation program, what for?

Led by the scientific pole of The SeaCleaners, the Voluntary Observers programme invites its members to carry out voluntary observation missions at sea of floating plastic pollution in the areas of the world most impacted by this phenomenon.

The collected observations are processed, analysed and used in a worldwide reference database on plastic pollution. This will be used as part of the association's targeted information and awareness-raising campaigns, but also to determine the future areas of intervention of the Manta, an innovative vessel that will be able to collect and mass treat floating oceanic macro-waste before it fragments.

By precisely characterising the extent and nature of floating waste slicks, The SeaCleaners' database will also enrich the knowledge of the international scientific community and considerably improve the relevance of actions, on land or at sea, aimed at reducing plastic pollution and protecting marine biodiversity.

What will be monitored?

A scientific protocol as well as a detailed methodological guide will enable each volunteer observer to carry out data surveys according to precise specifications.

Among other things, the size of the floating waste, its nature (plastic materials, rubber, textiles, paper/cardboard, treated wood, metal), GPS coordinates and environmental parameters likely to influence slick drift will be recorded.

The observation records will include the raw data collected, but also photos and videos.

How to become an observer?

The Volunteer Observer programme is open to seasoned marine professionals: diving clubs, boat rental companies, leisure companies, etc.
People wishing to contribute to this program must have their own observation equipment (AFN, binoculars, GPS). Successful candidates will have "Official Observer" status and their collaboration with The SeaCleaners will be the subject of an agreement.
Send your application to explorers@theseacleaners.org specifying your name, e-mail address, entity, geographical area of your activity and type of activity.

For more information, visit theseacleaners.org