Ocean Science Radio

Plastics have contaminated our oceans, from microplastic to big honking pieces. Vicky and Andrew chat with someone who swam across the ocean to draw awareness to the issue and a woman who is launching a (hopefully) growing effort to remove unclaimed nets from the Pacific. We spoke with Ben Lecomte and the Vortex Swim team as they made their landing in San Francisco. The 51-year-old became the first person to swim 1,753 miles across the Pacific Ocean, through the Pacific Garbage patch. The voyage was to draw attention to the  issue and damage of plastic pollution. Also interviewed was Mary Crowley, founder of the Ocean Voyages Institute. The crew removed roughly 40 tons of derelict fishing gear and has plans to collect another 400 tons in the next year.   Additional music, "Amazing Plan" and "Secret of Tiki Island," by Keven MacLeod (https://incompetech.com)