New Wave Media

 

Panellists spoke about the state of the marine environment, how eXXpedition was formed and their current Round Britain scientific surveying and awareness-raising outreach activities. 

 

Emily Penn, eXXpedition Co-founder and Ocean Advocate, said, “eXXpedition is about gaining a greater understanding of the harmful chemicals and plastics in our seas, and how they may impact our environment and health.

 

“The samples we take from the Thames, and from all around the country, will be shipped off to be analyzed by specialists at universities in the U.K. and the U.S.” 

 

Paul Rose, who hosted BBC Inside Out: Plastic Seas, BBC Oceans and National Geographic Pristine Sea expedition leader, chaired the panel. He said, “Only a couple of years ago, I was on the Thames launching the Cleaner Thames Campaign with the Port of London Authority (PLA), which was aimed at addressing the issue of plastic litter entering the Thames. Today, the eXXpedition team is here looking at a similar issue, but on a micro level around the country.”

 

In recent years, the problem of marine plastic debris has gained greater acknowledgement from academics, politicians, the media and even the UN Environment Program, which has declared it to be a global problem.

 

Dr. Diana Papoulias, an Aquatic Toxicologist, Fish Biologist and eXXpedition Science Advisor, said, “It is believed that approximately 270,000 tons of micro plastics exist in the oceans. The research we are doing is important to understand the prevalence of micro plastics and chemicals in British waters, and what the impact may be on us.” 

 

The eXXpedition team is using a range of surveying tools, including a manta trawl, a plankton tow, a grab, and a water filter, to sample the water, sediment, and air for plastics and toxic substances. The crew has been carrying out 15 scientific experiments while on their Round Britain voyage this summer.

 

Panellists Amy (age 12) and Ella (age 14) Meek are founders of Kids Against Plastic and eXXpedition Round Britain partners. They spoke of their shock and sadness at the amount of plastic pollution found around the coast. 

 

Ella said, “We have picked up all sorts of rubbish off the shore and I dread to think how much has broken down too and ends up eaten by the fish or us.” 

 

Amy added, “I guess this research will help to give us a better idea how bad the problem is.”

 

The PLA recovers up to 300 metric tons of rubbish from the River Thames every year, much of which is made up of plastic.

 

“We know there is an issue with plastic bottles entering the River Thames,” said Tanya Ferry, PLA environment manager and eXXpedition Round Britain crew member. 

 

“The eXXpedition research on the river will improve our knowledge of micro plastics and toxics, and how it compares with other marine environments around the country.”