South Pacific Gyre Expedition
Donation protected
Howdy everybody!
My name is Michael Doshi. In the plastic pollution field I am known as the Gnarly Beach Cleaner (GBC)! Via Instagram, I specialize in spreading awarness of plastic pollution through fun and positivity. In addition to my GBC work I also volunteer with Heal the Bay, Surfrider West LA/Malibu Chapter, and was recently accepted as a new member to the 5 Gyres' Ambassador Program.
Plastic pollution in our ocean goes deeper than single use consumer goods, amongst many other things it includes the synthetic rubber dust from our car tires, the fibers from our clothing once they are washed, plastic is ingrained in our daily lives. On the plastic pollution activist team, my skill set lies in creating citizen awareness. I don't just inform people of the issues at hand, but I strive to spark a drive in each person I speak with to evoke change in their daily habits, in turn making them plastic pollution activists. I have been looking for the next step to propel myself into helping solve plastic pollution issues on a larger scale, and I have been presented with an opportunity to do so.
I have been given the opportunity to join the Algalita Marine Research team on an expedition to the South Pacific Gyre (garbage patch), where we will be sampling plastic and lantern fish while 'mapping' currents and helping to determine the size, scope, and dynamics in the Gyre. The lantern fish is critical to the ocean's food chain and we need to see how they are being impacted by the pollution. The expedition will depart from Easter Island on Jan. 4th, 2017 and arrive in Chile on Jan. 27, 2017. This research will also help to compare the South Pacific Gyre to the North Pacific Gyre. The expedition will take place upon the famous Algalita catamaran research vessel.
A Gyre is a massive vortex fueled by oceanic currents that sweep our plastic from land and out of sight, shredding and concentrating it in the middle of the ocean.
I am also joining the crew on a 5 day research trip up the Chilean coast to accomplish near shore studies and compare this data to previously gathered data from places like California. The Chilean coast should be similar to California's coast before it was developed, but we want to see how plastic pollution is impacting the area.
I work in retail as to provide myself with a schedule that allows me to spend as much time possible involved with the ocean and to dedicate the bulk of my energy to solving plastic pollution issues. I am passionate about the ocean and I want to do all that I can to protect it. I am looking to raise funds to cover my expedition costs as it is more than I can afford with my retail pay. This expedition to the Gyre will further my education and let me take the next step to better utilize my skill set to spread awareness of plastic pollution issues on a global scale to ultimately help us all.
I will be forever grateful for any funds that you can donate to help me with the costs of this once in a lifetime educational expedition. Saving the world is not cheap, please help me help the ocean! I need to raise the funds as soon as possible as I depart on December 27th.
If total donations exceed associated expedition costs, all donation money will go towards future Gnarly Beach Cleaner projects to help save the ocean.
Thank you for your support and for keeping me stoked!
Below are a few links for you to learn more information about the volunteer work I do and about the research I will be helping to conduct while on the expedition.
If you have any questions, please let me know!
Instagram: Gnarly Beach Cleaner
Algalita Marine Research and Education
Interview on Gnarly Beach Cleaner
Patagonia Ocean Film Fest Film I made
My name is Michael Doshi. In the plastic pollution field I am known as the Gnarly Beach Cleaner (GBC)! Via Instagram, I specialize in spreading awarness of plastic pollution through fun and positivity. In addition to my GBC work I also volunteer with Heal the Bay, Surfrider West LA/Malibu Chapter, and was recently accepted as a new member to the 5 Gyres' Ambassador Program.
Plastic pollution in our ocean goes deeper than single use consumer goods, amongst many other things it includes the synthetic rubber dust from our car tires, the fibers from our clothing once they are washed, plastic is ingrained in our daily lives. On the plastic pollution activist team, my skill set lies in creating citizen awareness. I don't just inform people of the issues at hand, but I strive to spark a drive in each person I speak with to evoke change in their daily habits, in turn making them plastic pollution activists. I have been looking for the next step to propel myself into helping solve plastic pollution issues on a larger scale, and I have been presented with an opportunity to do so.
I have been given the opportunity to join the Algalita Marine Research team on an expedition to the South Pacific Gyre (garbage patch), where we will be sampling plastic and lantern fish while 'mapping' currents and helping to determine the size, scope, and dynamics in the Gyre. The lantern fish is critical to the ocean's food chain and we need to see how they are being impacted by the pollution. The expedition will depart from Easter Island on Jan. 4th, 2017 and arrive in Chile on Jan. 27, 2017. This research will also help to compare the South Pacific Gyre to the North Pacific Gyre. The expedition will take place upon the famous Algalita catamaran research vessel.
A Gyre is a massive vortex fueled by oceanic currents that sweep our plastic from land and out of sight, shredding and concentrating it in the middle of the ocean.
I am also joining the crew on a 5 day research trip up the Chilean coast to accomplish near shore studies and compare this data to previously gathered data from places like California. The Chilean coast should be similar to California's coast before it was developed, but we want to see how plastic pollution is impacting the area.
I work in retail as to provide myself with a schedule that allows me to spend as much time possible involved with the ocean and to dedicate the bulk of my energy to solving plastic pollution issues. I am passionate about the ocean and I want to do all that I can to protect it. I am looking to raise funds to cover my expedition costs as it is more than I can afford with my retail pay. This expedition to the Gyre will further my education and let me take the next step to better utilize my skill set to spread awareness of plastic pollution issues on a global scale to ultimately help us all.
I will be forever grateful for any funds that you can donate to help me with the costs of this once in a lifetime educational expedition. Saving the world is not cheap, please help me help the ocean! I need to raise the funds as soon as possible as I depart on December 27th.
If total donations exceed associated expedition costs, all donation money will go towards future Gnarly Beach Cleaner projects to help save the ocean.
Thank you for your support and for keeping me stoked!
Below are a few links for you to learn more information about the volunteer work I do and about the research I will be helping to conduct while on the expedition.
If you have any questions, please let me know!
Instagram: Gnarly Beach Cleaner
Algalita Marine Research and Education
Interview on Gnarly Beach Cleaner
Patagonia Ocean Film Fest Film I made
Organizer
Michael Doshi
Organizer
Los Angeles, CA