Recently the passionate research and expedition team from the Association ‘7th Continent’, who are sailing the world studying, alerting about and searching for solutions to plastic pollution at sea, visited Majorca and opened up their amazing ship La Goëlette for visits by the public and school students.During the last ten years, the scientific expeditions conducted by the NGO have contributed to a better understanding of the impact of microplastics and nanoplastics in the food chain, in nature and in human health.

In collaboration with Save The Med Foundation, during their visit to the island the expedition team organised an interactive exhibition for visitors of all ages in Port Adriano. The event included guided tours of the exhibition and the research vessel, conversations about marine wildlife and the impact of microplastics, a chance to talk directly to the scientists about all things related to the marine world and to learn about the life and work on board a research vessel*.

SHARED VALUES AND COMMON GOALS

Both 7th Continent and Save The Med work for clean and healthy seas, focusing on marine protection and the study and reduction of plastic pollution through science, education and policy change, and are convinced that the problems we face today are not problems that we can merely leave in the hands of future generations.

“As adults we must take the lead, gain an understanding of the issues at hand and take action now, at all levels of society. The positive thing about plastic pollution is that we can. We can take immediate action to reduce the use of plastic in our homes, at our work places, on or boats and in our companies, and we can support initiatives that work for policy change locally and internationally. Visiting the exhibitions and joining awareness events to learn about the topic in a fun and exciting way together with family and friends is for many a first step in that positive direction.” – Mari Gutic, Head of education and outreach, Save The Med Foundation

WHAT’S NEXT?

After having explored the North Pacific and North Atlantic in previous years, the 7th Continent team is currently focusing on the study of movements of microplastics between the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. For this purpose, after visiting the Balearic Islands they set sails towards the Alboran Sea, where the exchange of sea water between the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea occurs, to conduct samples on both sides of Gibraltar.

“The Mediterranean Sea is a hotspot for biodiversity. Unfortunately, due to its very closed geographical location and the intense maritime transport, fishing and the industrial and tourist activities, the Mediterranean Sea is particularly sensitive to plastic pollution, and we all have a role to play in reducing it.” – Bruno Nicolas, president, 7th Continent

STUDENTS ARE GETTING READY TO SET SAILS WITH SAVE THE MED

Meanwhile, Save The Med Foundation continues to work for change together with individuals, students, companies and policy makers. Currently the team is preparing to set sails onboard the beautiful sail boat Rafael Verdera together with students who are participating in the project “Changemakers At Sea.”

The students, who have spent months developing and implementing impressive ideas and projects to reduce the use of plastic, will be joining Save The Med’s expedition team onboard a research vessel and help study marine ecosystems in the Balearic Sea. Students will become part of the expedition team, participate in visual surveys, collect scientific data on marine wildlife, plastic pollution and human activities at sea, learn about Marine Protected Areas and much more!

– Learn more and get involved by visiting savethemed.org and @savethemedexpeditions.

– Follow the 7th continent expedition via their Facebook @Expedition7eContinent.