Tuesday August 1, 2017, we set sail for The Channel on the third By the Ocean we Unite sailing expedition for cleaner oceans. Together with filmmakers, scientists and impact makers from around the globe we conducted scientific research, increased global awareness and activated people, organizations and governments to work on solutions for our global plastic problem.

Checkout this page for details on our scientific research, pictures, videos, collaborations, visits and all you need to know about the expedition.

Did you know that The United Nations has designated 2017 as the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development?

”My invitation to you: join these guys on one of their expeditions, it’s an awesome experience!” – Anoûl Hendriks, DJ @ Talpa Radio (538 Hitzone)

During the expedition, we assisted research projects from a range of institutes and universities. We used a manta trawl to sample free floating sea surface plastics to determine their abundance per sea surface area and we collected sediment samples from a range of beaches for measurements of plastics along the high tide line. Find more information about the results below.

We visited and were supported by several people and organizations from England, the Channel Islands and Belgium.

Plastic pollution is a global problem which we believe we can only solve by working together and helping where possible. Therefore we created the PIFF: Pay-It-Forward-Fund. It works as following: startups working on reducing plastic pollution can get in touch with us to explain their concept – sometimes we pick organizations we come across. During the expedition we’ll discuss ideas with the expedition members. All ideas, network and suggestions are forwarded to the organization after the expedition. Also we take part of the participation fee and put it in a fund, of which the expedition members themselves eventually decide which organization(s) they will support financially. Expedition members may also bring in projects themselves, or organize a project together, centered around plastic pollution.

The expedition members of Expedition The Channel 2017 collected €800 euro and decided to divide the amount 50/50 over the following two organisations.