In addition to Surfrider's
Portland Event,
Newport Chapter of Surfrider Foundation is hosting a Synthetic Sea Event in Newport -
Monday, April 27th, 6:30 pm at the Hatfield Marine Science Center. Junkride is coming to town and we're hosting an event partnering up with
Friends of HMSC, Sea Grant, the Oregon Coast Aquarium and CoastWatch to provide some unique perspective of marine debris issues and the ever-growing North Pacific "Garbage Patch". You may have heard of Anna Cummins and Marcus Eriksen and their
junkraft adventures.
Dr. Marcus Eriksen and Anna Cummins from the Algalita Marine Research Foundation (AMRF) discuss the issue of plastic debris in our oceans and entering the marine food chain. Since 1997, AMRF has studied the accumulation of plastic marine debris in the North Pacific Gyre. Anna and Marcus will share their recent project to build JUNK, a raft from 15,000 bottles that sailed to Hawaii this past summer, and their current JUNKride voyage, cycling from Vancouver to Tijuana to raise awareness about plastic marine debris. Learn how plastics and other debris accumulating in the ocean are impacting marine life, prompting scientists, conservationists and policymakers to take a closer look at the problem. Panel discussion following presentation featuring
Gretchen Ammerman - North Lincoln Sanitary District and recycling expert, Jeff Feldner - Oregon Sea Grant Extension and Marine Debris Action Team rep. for West Coast Governor's Agreement on Ocean Health, and Kim Raum-Suryan - Oregon State University Marine Mammal Institute and entaglement expert.
