Algalita Participates In International GESAMP Conference
Paris, France--June 30, 2010
Algalita Marine Research Foundation (AMRI) board president Bill Francis attended GESAMP [Joint Group of Experts on the Scientific Aspects of Marine Environmental Protection] International Workshop held June 28-30, 2010 in Paris, France. Organized and hosted by UNESCO-IOC (United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization and the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission), the Conference addressed the issue of micro-plastic particles and their transport of persistent, bio-accumulating and toxic substances (PBT’s) in the oceans.
Algalita Marine Research Foundation, a Long Beach non-profit organization founded in 1994 by Long Beach resident, Captain Charles Moore, was invited to attend because of their research on the accumulation of plastic pollution in the ocean. Captain Moore has made numerous voyages through the North Pacific Subtropical Gyre during the last ten years on the ORV Alguita, investigating plastic pollution. The mission of AMRI is the protection of the marine environment and its watersheds through research, education, and restoration.
The Workshop, by invitation only, included non-government organizations, environmental policy makers, PhD researchers, plastic industry representatives from the U.S. and Europe, government officials, representatives from the United Nations Environmental Programme, and UNESCO, itself. Japan, Germany, Belgium, England, the UK, Switzerland, the Netherlands, the United States, Cambodia, Vietnam, Portugal, Brazil, Chile, France, and other countries were represented.
In support of the consensus of participating experts, GESAMP will petition UNESCO-IOC to fund a world-wide assessment of the current scientific information available, including data collected by Algalita Marine Research Institute (www.algalita.org). The purpose of the assessment will be to identify the presence and role of micro-plastic particles polluting our oceans in order to determine what further research should be done.
Note:
GESAMP is an advisory body consisting of specialized experts nominated by Sponsoring Agencies (IMO, FAO, UNESCO-IOC, WMO, WHO, IAEA, UN, UNEP). Its principal task is to provide scientific advice concerning the prevention, reduction and control of the degradation of the marine environment to the Sponsoring Agencies.
UNESCO: United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization (Paris)
IOC: Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission
GESAMP: Joint Group of Experts on the Scientific Aspects of Marine Environmental Protection
FAO: Food and Agriculture Organization
WMO: World Meteorological Organization
IAEA: International Atomic Energy Agency
UNEP: United Nations Environment Programme
IMO: International Maritime Organization
