Skipper of 1122 Trekkee Hajime Niita has an additional mission other than making the challenging journey from Melbourne to Osaka. For several years, he’s been spreading the word about a special project that he and the members of the Palau Youth Sailing Club are promoting – the collection and analysis of microplastics from our oceans. This week, Hajime gave an informative presentation to a gathering at the Melbourne Maritime Heritage Network. Here’s a brief outline that he has provided for us on the scope of the project.
The Microplastic Collection Program:
The fact that microplastics are greatly involved in global environmental problems began to attract attention around 2015. Until then, it was only recognized that they were one of the factors that adversely affect the environment, but in recent years, countries around the world have been competing to continue research into the effects of microplastics floating on the ocean surface and on the human body. This is part of the so-called United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s) #14 activity to protect the richness of the ocean.
In Japan, collection and analysis activities have been carried out since around 2018, mainly by the Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC). We strongly feel that yacht sailors should also take this issue seriously. And we strongly feel that the greatest research theme we can do is to correctly convey to future generations the actual state of the ocean that only sailors can sense.
Generally, research activities under the name of marine surveys are carried out on well-equipped research vessels. However, these survey vessels generate power using diesel engines, which use large amounts of heavy oil for that purpose, and as a result, they continue to emit large amounts of soot from their chimneys. In other words, they are conducting marine surveys while polluting the air of the earth with soot. We believe that this fact is by no means the right choice.
We thought that if sailors could collect microplastics floating on the ocean surface from a yacht, it would be an earth-friendly activity. We spent about two years developing a non-powered microplastic collection device. This device is towed from the stern of the yacht using a 10-15m long rope to collect microplastics floating on the surface
The standard for collecting microplastics is to measure the “type” and “number” of plastics with a diameter of 5mm or less collected by pouring 1㎣ of seawater through an 800 micron mesh less than 15cm from the surface. Usually, this device is called a Neuston net, which is towed from a research vessel to collect the plastics. We confirmed that we could obtain almost the same collection results using the non-powered collection device we developed.
We then analyzed the collected microplastics in collaboration with JAMSTEC and presented the results mainly to children. Since we are presenting to children, and rather than giving a technical explanation, we focus on letting them see for themselves how much plastic is floating in the ocean, which to them looks very clean.
All yachts participating in the yacht races we host (Yokohama-Palau Race, Palau-Okinawa Race, Hachijojima Race) are required to collect microplastics. Collection is a condition of participation and if they intentionally do not collect, they will be penalized.
At the awards ceremony for each race, we announce the preliminary results of the analysis of the microplastics collected by the racing boats. At a recent presentation of the analysis results of a previous race, an 8-year-old girl described the plastics that are naturally excreted from the body of fish that humans eat as “good plastics” and those that accumulate in the body as “bad plastics”. In our adult understanding, there was no concept of “good” or “bad” microplastics, but it’s an idea that only a child could come up with. I believe that what we can do is to leave as much of this rich earth and beautiful ocean as possible for the children who will carry the future. We believe that what we sailors can do for these children is to provide them with even the slightest opportunity to “see,” “feel,” and “think.” We are working to convey the importance of sailing culture and marine environmental conservation to children
in the Republic of Palau. We, the Japan Palau Youth Sailing Club, a general incorporated association, are collecting microplastics in order to further strengthen the bonds of friendship and solidarity between Japan and the Republic of Palau.
The Challenge of Testing
Our hope is that, in the future, more nations will recognize the immense value of this testing and the critical insights it can provide toward achieving SDG #14. However, conducting tests in international waters presents significant challenges. We are only permitted to collect water samples on the high seas or within our own Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) without needing prior approval.
We see this race as an exceptional opportunity to conduct vital testing as we navigate through diverse oceanic systems. However, our ability to continue testing is restricted once we enter Japanese waters, where further permissions are required.
Thank you for your interest – HAJIME NITTA
If you’re interested to find out more about this project you can take a look at comprehensive outline in a PDF entitled – Sailing Towrads a Plastic Free Ocean