Santa Barbara Program with SurfRider Foundation
Capt. Dave Robinson leading a discussion of plastics aboard the Derek M Baylis
Our first full day here in Santa Barbara was full of errands, cleaning the boat, and for me, processing the GPS data we collected while recovering debris from the waters off Santa Cruz Island (see yesterdays post). We partnered with the local Surfrider Foundation chapter to take a group of volunteers from a variety of local conservation organizations out on the Baylis for a sail, so we could show them what we are doing, and to hear about their work. In attendance were people from Surfrider Foundation, Santa Barbara Harbor Keepers, Heal our Oceans Together, Project Kaisei, and several others.
Sharing the experience is one of the most satisfying aspects of this work. So there we are, doing 6 Kts with 30 people aboard, and I see plastic in the water… “DEBRIS OFF THE PORT BOW!” I yell, and Martijn grabs the pole net – we are past it too quickly… He marks the spot for the Captain by pointing the net at it, and we do a man-overboard drill, turning the 65′ boat under-sail around. We can see our wake, and Martijn has the spot correct, and we retrieve the 4 sq.cm. piece of plastic. Yes, it is a lot of effort for a little piece of debris, nut it provides a credible image to all who witness and participate, that plastics in the ocean is a big problem, and that there are people willing to do extra-ordinary things to clean it up. I heard someone on the boat comment that “these guys are hardcore” – I look forward to the time when we don’t have to be. More photos at the bottom of this post…
Generations of Ocean Stewarding
We got in just at sunset, and we went straight over to The Santa Barbara Yacht Club building, where our evening program taking place with a slightly larger crowd from the local community. SeaStudios Foundation screened a 20 minute clip from their National Geographic / PBS Film “Strange Days on Planet Earth”, with Edward Norton. The piece was mainly about plastics in the ocean, and it really hits home for me after the week I’ve had living and breathing this issue. Click here for more info on the film.
The ubiquitous plastic bottle
The evening program continued with several short presentations from representatives of the local groups, like SurfRider Foundation and Project Kaisei – then the former Mayor of Pacific Grove, CA, Dan Court spoke to the audience. Dan successfully stewarded a polystyrene ban in Pacific Grove, and was quite active in supporting a similar ban in Monterey, CA. He has been a crew-member on the Derek Baylis with us for the last week, onboard to see this work firsthand, and to support other communities along our route. Dan is quite an amazing speaker, he is encouraging without saying ‘you should’, and he is uplifting and motivating while still reminding you of how hard some of this work can be. My favorite quote from Dan tonight “Vision without action is a daydream and action without vision is a nightmare”. One ironic twist turned teaching tool for Dan, and later Dave Robinson, as one of the sponsors donated bottled water to the event. I couldn’t help take this picture, and think about the dark humor, and sad irony this positive intention set into motion – it does help illustrate just how embedded plastic is in our choices as consumers…
Dave R. with a debris map from previous days' voyage
Dave Robinson then closed the night with a discussion of what we are doing on the Think Beyond Plastics Expedition, and what we can do as individuals to remedy marine debris and fisheries. He stood in front of the map I made, with data collected the day before off Santa Cruz Island, a national park. Very rewarding for me to see that map in front of all those people, with ‘the ink’ still drying…
Dave also reminded us of the constant election being held in the choices that show up for us in restaurants and stores. Dave asks us to think about the vote we cast with our wallets everyday as consumers. Specifically, he reminds us to think about the alternatives to single use plastic bags, cups, straws etc, and polystyrene cups and take-out containers. Some of these alternatives include using a seafood watch card at your restaurant when ordering fish, and carrying your own stainless steel water bottles.
Other photos from the day – click for full size image:
Crew Dinner
Pelicans at Santa Barbara Harbor entrance
What I think all cashiers should ask us! (consumers)
The Derek M. Baylis flying colors
Thanks for posting this story. The more we talk about how plastics in the ocean and in landfills is a problem, the more likely it will be solved.
Keep posting!