The Sea Plastics association has visited us aboard its catamaran as part of its 2026 educational and scientific expedition, which takes it for four months, from April to June, across the western Mediterranean. This non-profit organization, founded in 2016 by three students from AgroParisTech, has spent the last 10 years collecting and analysing hundreds of microplastic samples, collaborating with dozens of laboratories to provide data on cetaceans, and raising awareness among thousands of people through its workshops and conferences.
Education, science and commitment to the sea
During its scientific expeditions, Sea Plastics combines awareness-raising activities with research, distinguishing between educational actions and scientific studies.
Educational conferences and workshops are aimed at students, with the goal of raising awareness about the issue of plastics in the marine environment and promoting good environmental practices.
On the other hand, in the field of research, several scientific studies are carried out, including the following:
- Microplastic surface sampling using a Manta Trawl net, towed by their sailing vessel. This method was developed by the Oceaneye.
- Monitoring of microplastic stranding following the OSPAR protocol, in collaboration with the association For Living Oceans and Water (FLOW). The collected samples help expand databases on the presence of these particles in waters and oceans.
- Collection of cetacean data, with the aim of training sea users in photo identification techniques and passive bioacoustics. During sightings, a hydrophone is deployed to record acoustic data. This activity is carried out in collaboration with the KETOS program and Astrolabe Expéditions.
- Identification of marine mammals using passive DNA sensors, within the framework of the OMTeDNA project, led by Claude Miaud and the Functional and Evolutionary Ecology Centre of EPHE. These data, together with those from the KETOS programme, help validate the effectiveness of this method.
Microplastics: the invisible enemy threatening our oceans
In recent decades, plastic has become established as an essential material in our daily lives. Lightweight, durable, affordable, and versatile, it has completely transformed numerous industries. However, these advantages conceal a concerning reality: the constant increase in plastic pollution, especially in the oceans.
The problem lies not only in its use, but also in the short lifespan of many products, which quickly become waste. One of the most alarming aspects is the generation of microplastics: small particles of less than 5 mm that can originate both from the degradation of larger plastics and from their direct manufacture in small sizes for industrial uses.
The oceans play a fundamental role in the planet’s balance, as they produce a large portion of the oxygen we breathe thanks to the photosynthesis of plankton. Nevertheless, plastic pollution is putting this vital system at risk. Among its main consequences are damage to biodiversity through ingestion or entanglement of marine fauna, the alteration of ecosystems, the transport of toxic substances and microorganisms, bioaccumulation along the food chain, and various economic impacts, especially in sectors such as fishing and tourism.
Undoubtedly, initiatives like this remind us that protecting the sea is a shared responsibility, and that each of us has a fundamental role to play in this mission.
From the Club, we are delighted to receive initiatives such as Sea Plastics, which inspire and strengthen the collective commitment to protecting the sea and sustainability.