“Acting for a pollution-free ocean is a necessity for survival and a promise we make to our future. It’s also about defending an aspiration for beauty and freedom that drives us all.”

YVAN BOURGNON - SAILOR AND FOUNDING PRESIDENT OF THE SEACLEANERS

I. Introduction

A. Presentation of the problem of plastic pollution in the oceans

Plastic pollution is a major environmental problem affecting the world's oceans.

In fact, 91% of plastic produced worldwide is not recycled.

Plastic waste, which represents 80% of marine litter, has harmful effects on marine fauna and flora as well as ocean ecosystems.

Marine animals often mistake plastic for food and ingest it, which can lead to their death.

Every year, more than 1.5 million marine animals die due to plastic pollution.

Additionally, microplastics, which are small pieces of plastic, can accumulate in marine food chains, which can also have adverse effects on human health.

The finding is alarming.

B. Context and issues of the current situation

Plastic pollution has become a global issue due to its impact on the environment and the health of many living species.

According to a study published in the journal Science in 2015, around 8 million tonnes of plastic are dumped into the oceans each year.

If nothing is done to remedy this situation, it is estimated that by 2050 there will be more plastic than fish in the oceans.

There will be three times more plastic in the oceans by 2060.

Faced with this alarming situation, numerous initiatives have been launched to combat plastic pollution in the oceans.

These initiatives range from raising public awareness of sustainable waste management practices to implementing innovative technological solutions to recover and process plastic waste.

Summary :

• I. Introduction

• A. Presentation of the problem of plastic pollution in the oceans
• B. Context and issues of the current situation

• II. The consequences of plastic pollution

• A. Impacts on the marine environment
• B. Consequences on human health
• C. Economic and social repercussions

• III. Initiatives to fight plastic pollution

• A. Presentation of the different actions and initiatives to combat plastic pollution, on a local, national and international scale
• B. Focus on innovative initiatives to collect plastic waste in the oceans, such as depollution boats

• IV. Conclusion

• A. Summary of the key points of the article and the importance of the fight against plastic pollution
• B. Let’s reduce our plastic consumption

II. The consequences of plastic pollution

Plastic pollution has serious and increasingly visible consequences on the marine environment, human health and the global economy.

A. Impacts on the marine environment

Plastic waste that ends up in the oceans is ingested by marine animals, which can lead to their death from suffocation or intestinal obstruction.

Plastics are also responsible for the destruction of marine habitats and coral reefs, due to their extremely long lifespan.

Furthermore, the fragmentation of plastics into microplastics has considerable impacts on marine food chains, as these particles are ingested by many species, from the smallest to the largest, thus affecting marine biodiversity.

B. Consequences on human health

Plastic pollution also affects human health, as it can lead to diseases and infections due to the presence of bacteria and chemicals in the waste.

Microplastics, in particular, can end up in the foods we eat, such as fish and seafood, and lead to health problems such as hormonal disorders, allergies and respiratory illnesses.

Finally, plastic pollution has significant economic and social repercussions, as it affects the fishing, tourism and navigation sectors.

C. Economic and social repercussions

Plastic waste accumulating on beaches and in ports can discourage tourists and lead to reduced income for local communities.

Additionally, plastic pollution can damage vessels and fishing gear, leading to additional costs for fishermen and shipping companies.

III. Initiatives to fight plastic pollution

A. Presentation of the different actions and initiatives to combat plastic pollution, on a local, national and international scale

Faced with the scale of the problem of plastic pollution, numerous initiatives have emerged around the world to try to limit the production and spread of plastic waste.

At the local level, many citizens and associations organize beach and seabed cleaning operations, waste collections and awareness campaigns among populations.

Nationally, some governments have implemented measures to reduce plastic production and encourage the transition to more sustainable alternatives.

Thus, several countries have banned the use of single-use plastic bags, introduced taxes on disposable plastics, or even encouraged the recycling and reuse of packaging.

Internationally, many initiatives have been launched to combat plastic pollution.

For example, the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal has been extended to include plastic waste.

The United Nations has also launched a global campaign to combat plastic pollution, with the aim of mobilizing governments, businesses and civil society.

B. Focus on innovative initiatives to collect plastic waste in the oceans, such as depollution boats

Innovative initiatives have also been launched to collect plastic waste already present in the oceans.

Among these, we find pollution control boats, such as the Manta, initiated by the Swiss navigator Yvan Bourgnon .

The Manta, a pollution control boat

The Manta is the innovative project initiated by Yvan Bourgnon to fight against plastic pollution at sea.

This ship, equipped with a plastic waste collection system, will be capable of recovering up to three tonnes of waste per hour.

Yvan Bourgnon was able to observe ocean pollution during his various marine expeditions, having been traveling the oceans since the age of 8. “I saw them degrade, heat up, acidify and plasticize,” he explains.

The ship will be equipped with several waste recovery systems:

- Collection belts transporting waste on board.

- Three surface collection systems operating on a collection width of more than 66 meters.

- Two small multipurpose collector boats, the Mobula, capable of collecting micro and macro plastic waste in shallow or narrow areas where the Manta cannot go.

- Two side cranes which extract the largest floating debris from the water.

The Manta will also benefit from two small multi-purpose collector boats, the Mobula.

The Mobula allows plastic waste to be collected in shallow areas or areas that are too narrow for the Manta to navigate. One of them, the Mobula 8, is currently operating in Bali, Indonesia.

This combination of different technologies will make it possible to collect plastic waste up to one meter deep and measuring from 10 mm to 3 meters.

Recovering plastic waste

Recycling plastic waste involves giving it a new use in order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

In the Manta project designed by Yvan Bourgnon, recovered plastic waste is transformed into electricity which powers the factory ship's equipment in addition to renewable energies such as solar panels, tidal turbines and wind turbines.

Thanks to this environmentally friendly approach, the Manta emits very little CO2 and air pollutants.

To efficiently sort the 90 to 95% of plastic waste collected at sea, a manual sorting unit is also set up on board.

Understanding and raising awareness

The Manta will be able to accommodate a team of researchers and scientists who will be able to carry out studies and research on plastic pollution at sea.

The boat will also be able to welcome the public to help develop more effective solutions to combat plastic pollution and improve our understanding of this phenomenon.

The end of construction and the launching of the Manta are planned for 2025.

The missions of The SeaCleaners

In addition to the Manta project, Yvan Bourgnon is also at the head of The SeaCleaners association, whose mission is to fight against plastic pollution in the oceans.

The association organizes ocean cleaning missions, notably in Bali, Indonesia, where it collected several tonnes of plastic waste in partnership with local authorities.

The SeaCleaners also carries out awareness-raising activities to inform the general public about the importance of protecting the oceans and reducing our consumption of plastic.

It also ensures optimal management of ocean waste and locally drives circular economy dynamics.

Other similar initiatives have been launched around the world, such as the Ocean Cleanup, a floating barrier system that uses ocean currents to collect plastic waste, or the Seabin, a floating waste collection system installed in ports and marinas.

These innovative initiatives make it possible to collect significant quantities of plastic waste from the oceans, but do not constitute a definitive solution to the problem of plastic pollution.

It is therefore necessary to continue to develop new technologies and raise public awareness of the importance of reducing our plastic consumption.

IV. Conclusion

A. Summary of the key points of the article and the importance of the fight against plastic pollution

In conclusion, plastic pollution in the oceans is a major problem that has disastrous consequences on the marine environment, human health and the global economy.

However, there are numerous initiatives to combat this scourge, on a local, national and international scale.

Some of these initiatives are particularly innovative, such as depollution boats that collect plastic waste from the oceans.

Yvan Bourgnon's project with The SeaCleaners and the Manta is one of these innovative projects.

Its future depollution boat, the Manta, will be equipped with advanced technologies to collect and sort plastic waste in the oceans.

The missions carried out by The SeaCleaners have already made it possible to collect thousands of tonnes of plastic waste.

The results and environmental, social and economic impacts of Yvan Bourgnon's project are impressive.

B. Let’s reduce our plastic consumption

Ultimately, it is essential that everyone realizes the importance of fighting plastic pollution and acts accordingly.

It is possible to reduce our plastic consumption, recycle the waste we produce and support initiatives to combat plastic pollution.

By working together, we can protect the oceans and preserve our planet for generations to come.