Operation Tide-Y Up
Operation Tide-Y Up is in response to the overwhelming amount of trash in the ocean, more specifically the Great Pacific Garbage Patch.
There are some existing responses to this, however, some marine biologists argue that the Ocean Cleanup strategy, designed to remove plastic, could harm marine life. The cleanup booms are coated with biocides, and when in the water, they can physically harm marine creatures by trapping plankton and other organisms. For example, zooplankton, a crucial part of the food chain, are often damaged when caught in the cleanup system, posing a threat to the ecosystem.
We planned to create an animal-friendly motorized device to clean up the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. This device will remove trash and microplastics from the ocean without harming the lives of sea animals.
