Dear Voyage Supporters
At long last the final report of the voyage is available. At the outset we had hoped that results of the water sampling would be published soon after each leg of the voyage. As you will recall, Jon couriered the samples to Curtin University after reaching each port. Various problems ensued with the analysis beginning with break downs in equipment which was both costly and time consuming. COVID hitting mid-Atlantic complicated the situation with quarantine at St Marten lasting three months. The anticipated eight months duration of the voyage became 15 months before Jon returned to Fremantle and handed over the final samples from the last leg of the voyage. Curtin University continued analysing the samples with the final report now published and available here. You can also access the report on the Curtin University site at https://espace.curtin.edu.au/bitstream/handle/20.500.11937/88402/88224.pdf?sequence=2&isAllowed=y
In summary, the results set a baseline for the amount of microplastic in the top layer of the oceans in the Southern Hemisphere. The amount of microplastic detected seems to be much the same as other sampling in other isolated attempts to measure oceanic microplastic levels. Jon’s No Plastic Oceans voyage is of course the most comprehensive to date and sets a global standard not previously available. The microplastic levels appear to be marginally higher in the Indian and Atlantic Oceans. The highest level detected was off the Brazilian coast which may be in part due to the plume of outflow from the Amazon River. The main current flows from the Brazilian coast east to Africa carrying discharge from the Amazon. Jon intersected this current in which two samples were taken. Surprisingly a similarly high level on microplastic was found in the sample taken in Sydney Harbour and inshore on the West Australian coast. These two higher results are likely due to a high presence of microplastics inshore and should not be considered typical of the adjacent offshore areas. None the less, human populations are consuming marine species from these inshore areas and this may be a matter that would warrant further monitoring.
The voyage has been an outstanding success and the analytical results have delivered the global baseline the project set out to establish.
The success of the project has only been possible with the support from our many wonderful donors, some of whom contributed funding, other contributed equipment or their services. Minderoo has played an important role as the major voyage sponsor. Donations have been large and small, from old and young, from across Australia and around the world. You have made possible an important, history making voyage that makes a significant contribution to understanding and managing our oceans. Thank you.
Kind regards
Stephen Davis (for Jon and the team)
09 May 2022
