S.A.R.A.H Initiative

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S.A.R.A.H. Initiative
DISCOVERY Yacht Sea Level / Gasparilla Island, FL
April 2021

In April of 2021, DISCOVERY Yacht Sea Level deployed a plastic sample collection off the waters of Boca Grande, FL. D/Y Sea Level joined the S.A.R.A.H. Initiative in early 2020 and regularly collects samples off the west coast of Florida as a family. This wonderful family of ocean enthusiasts has been a great supporter of SeaKeepers and a perfect example of how to get out and learn about the ocean as a family!

This is in furtherance of the S.A.R.A.H. Initiative: a Citizen Science initiative wherein captains and crew tow a net behind their vessel for 15 minutes, collecting anything that is just below the surface of the water. The purpose of these tows is to collect samples of plastic pollution from the water. These samples are then analyzed in a lab in order to assess their chemical composition. Each variety of plastic absorbs different types of chemicals and they have varying degradation rates in the marine environment. Identifying the composition and location of ocean plastics will help us predict their long-term effects and reveal their ultimate fates. Uncovering the prevalence and location of distinctive plastic types can help us pinpoint the major source.

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