Pacific Trash Vortex! Wow! I had no idea it was this bad!

[scubadrewvideo]

That's cause "I'm Jacked on the Juice" Drew!!!!! Want some for your trip? 6 servings of fruit, 6 servings of vegetables and a half piece of fish in each shot!!!! An easy way to stay healthy and energized on that long ocean voyage you're about to take my friend!

Check out the worlds best workout cocktail now!

http://www.mymonavie.com/shakadoug

Dude this stuff looks great...I noticed you were the only listed independant distributer. I cant afford it and cant speak on behalf of AMRF. Will they donate some to the ORV Alguita crew. I wouldnt be able to carry any over, it would have to be shipped, but it seems like a good promotional experiment to give the crew the "Juice" to see how we do under the long and tiring hours we will work out there.
Post the link on FB and I will see if I can get you connected with the right people.
Drew

 

[on_two_wheels]

Let me start by saying I am ABSOLUTELY aware of the problem does exist. I'm not a nay sayer. However, why is it so impossible to find a satellite image? If this this is twice the size of texas, it would be more obvious than Hawaii. I would think they'd want such images in order to create an even more impactful image since that's what seems to register with people.

 

[Plumb bob]

My understanding is that due to the vast majority of it being below the surface, satellite imagery is ineffective.

 

[Peter_C]

Let me start by saying I am ABSOLUTELY aware of the problem does exist. I'm not a nay sayer. However, why is it so impossible to find a satellite image? If this this is twice the size of texas, it would be more obvious than Hawaii. I would think they'd want such images in order to create an even more impactful image since that's what seems to register with people.

Some of the plastic is the size of krill and just under the surface. Could you see a few billion krill from a satellite image? Probably not. They are going to bring you more evidence and could use any help you can offer.

 

[scubadrewvideo]

Thanks Peter C, I get tired of answering that question..but it needs t be answered none the less. I appreciate other voices stepping up to the plate.
I have 16 days until I depart on the first leg (6 weeks) of the "Journey to the Center of the Trash"
I hope to bring back proof to the severity of the problem. Please continue to spread the word and pass along the web links.
Algalita Marine Research Foundation
Journey to the Center of the Trash

 

[on_two_wheels]

Thanks Peter C, I get tired of answering that question..but it needs t be answered none the less. I appreciate other voices stepping up to the plate.
I have 16 days until I depart on the first leg (6 weeks) of the "Journey to the Center of the Trash"
I hope to bring back proof to the severity of the problem. Please continue to spread the word and pass along the web links.
Algalita Marine Research Foundation
Journey to the Center of the Trash

In this day and age, people are always looking for ways to get our money...even using a "cause." Therefore, questions will and must be asked. Please, don't get tired of answering that or any other question or else you could tire of answering all of them, thus less publicity. Best of luck on your trip. Hope you find it very successful. I look forward to reading your posts when you get back.

In all fairness, it is a reasonable assumption to think something "It is estimated that this trash pile is larger than Texas and is extends up to 10m (33 feet) in depth" would show up on a satellite image. Hence, my question. If not from a satellite, at least an aerial photo with a large ship next to it would impact the visual learners.

 

[ScubaSteve]

In this day and age, people are always looking for ways to get our money...even using a "cause." Therefore, questions will and must be asked. Please, don't get tired of answering that or any other question or else you could tire of answering all of them, thus less publicity. Best of luck on your trip. Hope you find it very successful. I look forward to reading your posts when you get back.

In all fairness, it is a reasonable assumption to think something "It is estimated that this trash pile is larger than Texas and is extends up to 10m (33 feet) in depth" would show up on a satellite image. Hence, my question. If not from a satellite, at least an aerial photo with a large ship next to it would impact the visual learners.

I do agree with you however I think it is important for people to understand that due to the nature of this issue (trash floating in the ocean), it is impossible to control it, therrefore depth is a consideration. If not on the surface and if not huge transport truck sized chunks of plastic, the it is likely that most means of presentation would fail when trying to display the problem in its entirety. Contrary to popular belief, I am pretty sure that the US government is unlikely to allow Drew to retask one of their "so top secret that it does not actually exist" satellites so that it can get us still images of every bit of plastic in the ocean. I am not being snarky here but am just trying to get accross that while I agree it is difficult to fathom, some people are caught up on one point....is it actually the size of TX. That is irrelevant because even if it is only the size of Idaho....it is still a huge problem that require us, human kind, the CHANGE OUR WAYS. Without change, the problem will only grow and eventually be irrepairable.

I, like you, believe there is a problem and agree that a satellite shot would be nice, but hopefully we can all accept that, without that picture, we still have a huge problem.

 

[DennisS]

SPOT is a commercial satellite company, they may have a picture/location of what you need. They aren't cheap but would be a lot less than spending ship time trying to locate an area of concentration and missing it.

Spot Image - Satellite Images: SPOT and FORMOSAT-2

 

[on_two_wheels]

There are many satellites in orbit purely for the sake of environmental resarch. And even if it was the size of a large city, it would be worth the effort. You're right that we do agree the problem exists. I just think that those that are on the fence would feel a bit more guilty and compelled to make a change and/or help if they could see the problem. We are a society that has grown to firmly believe, "Out if sight, out of mind."

 

[Shaka Doug]

I'm not sure it's dense enough to be seen from space, at least not with a regular camera. Especially one placed high enough to actually observe an area twice the size of TX. I've looked at 40' whales and many boats from our hillsides here on Maui and even just a few miles away they disappear into the vast sea.

Imagine within the vortex, more of a soupy concentration of plastic trash and debris in various stages of photo-degradation. There may be small accumulations of larger pieces of all kinds but in my mind, I don't see anything that would look like a small floating 'island' that could be photographed from miles above the surface.

What does Google Earth show for this area? (I don't have it myself...)

This accummulating soup is spread out over many millions of square miles and certainly has different densities within it. Maybe it could/should be photographed using an infrared camera or some other thermal or density imaging technology. If you could photograph the plankton maybe you could photograph the garbage. Have any of you ever seen a photgraph of plankton from outer space? I don't think I have but I believe the plankton is there. If fish are ingesting 6 pieces of plastic for every 1 piece of plankton it says enough to concern me to take action and spread the news. I don't have to see the vortex....water samples would be enough. I'm really looking forward to seeing what Drew comes up with.

How's the fundrasing going Drew?