Arctic Whale – An Expedition to Investigate the threat of Ocean Plastic
In May this year, the Arctic Whale team set sail aboard the expedition yacht Barba to undertake valuable research into the effect…Keep Reading →
Plastic is destroying our ocean´s ecosystems and threatens our planets sustainability
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Arctic Whale has a mission of communicating groundbreaking science with the unique sailing vessel Barba, whales as ambassadors, extensive media experience and high profiled storytellers. Our goal is to highlight the threat of plastic pollution and human impact on our oceans.
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What is the problem?
Plastic is found in the deepest reaches of the ocean and in the arctic sea ice.
As our plastic consumption is set to skyrocket, it’s clear that urgent action is needed. Plastic pollution, micro-pollutants and by-products from other human activities is affecting our ecosystem, especially when it reaches different whale species. There are estimates that half of the orca population will be wiped out in our lifetime. As a small group who dream big, collaboration is surely the way forward. Join our Arctic Movement to spread an important message: Our oceans ecosystems are threatened and together, we have the power to save them.
What does the research show?
Reasearch on plastic pollution is worrying.
Plastic pollution and micro-pollutants are one of the greatest threats to our oceans. We’ll be researching the by-products of human activities from production of plastic, contaminants and different ranges of pollutants that end up in the ocean and how it’s affecting the ecosystem, especially when it comes to our favourite messenger for the ocean: The whale.
50m
Tons of plastic garbage is generated every year by the world.
55%
Of this is currently being discarded, and not recycled or burned.
100k
Ton is estimated to be on the ocean surface.
Research was performed by ourworldindata, and is available here: https://ourworldindata.org/plastic-pollution
Why should I care?
What does this mean for us and the planet?
The ecosystem is dependent on our action. There are around 90 species of whale, dolphin, and porpoise. Some species filter the water for food (e.g. plankton) and others hunt larger animals. Either way, ingestion of both small and large plastic particles are a daily threat. When ingesting large particles, it often punctures and tears the stomach lining, leading to starvation and even death. Smaller particles (such as micro plastic) may accumulate in the tissue and cause inflammation, oxidative stress or other internal damage. From individuals, businesses and governments. We are all part of the problem, and we all have a role to play in fighting back.
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What's our goal?
We are on a mission to find out
Arctic Whale is a project with the mission of communicating groundbreaking science to a global audience. Our team will focus on how plastic pollution is affecting the sub-arctic to inspire action for our oceans together with our fantastic partner-ecosystem. With the unique sailing vessel Barba, whales as ambassadors, extensive media experience and high profiled storytellers, we highlight the threat of plastic pollution and human impact on our oceans. As a small group who dream big, collaboration is surely the way forward. Join our Arctic Movement to spread an important message: Our oceans ecosystems are threatened and together, we have the power to save them. Photocredit: David Gonzalez
1’st stop is
Shetland Islands
The first passage is from Stavanger to Shetland Islands. We will tow the manta trawl to collect samples for micro plastic quantity and keep our eye out for orcas.
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2nd stop is
Faroe Islands
In our second passage will conduct further sampling and search for dolphins, pilot whales and bottlenose whales.
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3rd stop is
Husavik, Iceland
We will be conducting extensive research in the field in the northern part of Iceland. In cooperation with the University of Iceland and University of Oslo we will spend most of our time executing research on the whales and the Atlantic ocean.
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4’th stop is
Jan Mayen
Further Information coming up soon
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5’th stop is
Svalbard
Further information coming up soon
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6’th stop is
Bear Island
Further information coming up soon
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What's the latest?
We spread the meaning and mattering of our cause from the stories we share
The national Icelandic TV RÚV came to Húsavík to learn more about how the Arctic Whale team is using the research platform & sailing vessel Barba.no to investigate microplastic in whales.
You can see the TV Coverage and read the article here: https://www.ruv.is/frett/rannsaka-orplast-i-hvolum Photo by: Matthew…Keep Reading →
WWF partners with scientific whale project from Norway
With the Barba sailboat as platform for research institutions, photographers and storytellers, Arctic Whale will conduct an Arctic…Keep Reading →
Arctic Whale by Barba.no is covered by BBC Radio Shetland after a successful crossover to Shetland!
Picture by Matthew Ferraro, waynorthfilms.com /Barba.no Listen to the radio interview here!Keep Reading →
Arctic Whale partners with Whale Wise
Whale Wise is are currently working towards a sustainable whale-watching industry in North Iceland, and are even collecting…Keep Reading →
The people
Who is behind all of this?
With the unique sailing vessel Barba, whales as ambassadors, extensive media experience and high profiled storytellers, we highlight the threat of plastic pollution and human impact on our oceans. As a small group who dream big, collaboration is surely the way forward and we are dependent on you for impact!
