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Government backs student microplastic survey

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A global citizen science project begun by a university student has won the backing of the UK government’s Environment Agency.

University of Portsmouth PhD student David Jones launched The Big Microplastic Survey, thought to be a world-first, in an attempt to measure the microplastic pollution rates on beaches and riverbanks worldwide.

Microplastics are small fragments of larger plastic waste which have broken down to 1mm-10mm in size, which means they tend to escape the attention of beach clean-ups.

They are known to cause serious harm to wildlife and, it is thought, to humans once they reach the food chain.

Within days of launching the survey, volunteers had signed up in Hawaii, Mozambique, Australia, Mexico, South Africa, the Netherlands and across the UK.

David said: “One of the biggest global issues affecting our oceans is microplastics and while much of the focus of attention at the moment is on cleaning the bigger pieces of plastics from our beaches, we know that microplastics are having a devastating impact on the environment.  They are being ingested by fish and birds and getting into the food chain. They are also having an impact on human health and we need to know moreThis project is all about getting people involved and gathering lots of data.”

The Environment Agency has thrown its weight behind David’s survey by getting its monitoring teams to survey 22 Devon and Cornwall beaches on September 6.

It is also calling for more volunteers to join the survey across Britain.

Bruce Newport, head of the Environment Agency’s plastics and sustainability team, said: “We are committed to making plastic pollution a thing of the past.  We have partnered with the University of Portsmouth to collect samples of microplastics from our beaches for scientific analysis. The results will tell us the abundance, source, type and characteristics of the plastic found, which is essential if we are to understand the global plastic problem better and direct resources to solve it effectively.”

David is a leading anti-plastics campaigner, a deep sea diver, underwater cameraman and former military officer who founded not-for-profit organisation Just One Ocean.

He said: “While much of the public’s focus is on cleaning up the larger pieces of plastic from our beaches, the biggest threat to wildlife and human health is the ever increasing amount of microplasticsThe responsibility for protecting our coastal and marine environment belongs to us all.”

Research to measure the distribution and scale of the microplastic problem is essential, David says, if we are to develop strategic plans to prevent this crisis becoming a catastrophe.

The survey is also open to anyone visiting a beach, riverbank or lakeside anywhere in the world.

The University of Portsmouth will provide research facilities for the management and analysis of data and will be a focus point for further research as the project develops.

The survey is ongoing and anyone can take part at any time. The method is simple and instructions for taking part are on: http://microplasticsurvey.org/

To keep up to date with this project you can also visit:

www.justoneocean.org

https://www.facebook.com/thebigmicroplasticsurvey

https://twitter.com/bigmicrosurvey

Nick and Caroline (Frogfish Photography) are a married couple of conservation driven underwater photo-journalists and authors. Both have honours degrees from Manchester University, in Environmental Biology and Biology respectively, with Nick being a Fellow of the Royal Photographic Society, a former high school science teacher with a DipEd in Teaching Studies. Caroline has an MSc in Animal Behaviour specializing in Caribbean Ecology. They are multiple award-winning photographers and along with 4 published books, feature regularly in the diving, wildlife and international press They are the Underwater Photography and Deputy Editors at Scubaverse and Dive Travel Adventures. Winners of the Caribbean Tourism Organization Photo-journalist of the Year for a feature on Shark Diving in The Bahamas, and they have been placed in every year they have entered. Nick and Caroline regularly use their free time to visit schools, both in the UK and on their travels, to discuss the important issues of marine conservation, sharks and plastic pollution. They are ambassadors for Sharks4Kids and founders of SeaStraw. They are Dive Ambassadors for The Islands of The Bahamas and are supported by Mares, Paralenz, Nauticam and Olympus. To find out more visit www.frogfishphotography.com

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Four opportunities to go pro in 2024 with Dive Friends Bonaire

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Dive Friends teaches the Instructor Development Course (IDC) several times a year to students who are eager to share their passion for diving with the world.

Dive Friends is known for the personal approach throughout the course. Their in-house course director will lead the students through every essential step, mentoring them to achieve their fullest potential as a dive instructor.

Applications for the following IDC start dates are now open:

  • 12 April
  • 5 July,
  • 20 September
  • 29 November

Partnership with Casita Palma

If the student opts for the IDC-Deluxe or IDC-Supreme package, their accommodation will be arranged for them at Casita Palma. This small and quiet resort is within walking distance from Dive Friends Bonaire’s main dive shop location and has everything you need to relax after an intense day of IDC training. Breakfast is included, so the student will always be fuelled and ready for their day.

Contact Dive Friends Bonaire’s Course Director Eddy for more information: coursedirector@divefriendsbonaire.com.

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SOMABAY: Scubaverse Trip Review (Watch Video)

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In a video created exclusively for Scubaverse.com, Jeff Goodman visits SOMABAY in the Egyptian Red Sea to experience the diving on offer there.

Book your next Red Sea dive adventure with SOMABAY! For more information, visit www.somabay.com.

Stay at the Breakers Diving & Surfing Lodge when you visit! For more information, visit  www.thebreakers-somabay.com.

Find out more about ORCA Dive Clubs at SOMABAY at www.orca-diveclubs.com/en/soma-bay-en.

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Experience the Red Sea in May with Bella Eriny Liveaboard! As the weather warms up, there’s no better time to dive into the crystal clear waters of the Red Sea. Join us on Bella Eriny, your premier choice for Red Sea liveaboards, this May for an unforgettable underwater adventure. Explore vibrant marine life and stunning coral reefs Enjoy comfortable accommodation in our spacious cabins Savor delicious meals prepared by our onboard chef Benefit from the expertise of our professional dive guides Visit our website for more information and to secure your spot: www.scubatravel.com/BellaEriny or call 01483 411590 More Less

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