VAOP Achievement Award

Ladies and gentlemen,

The struggle for a better environment is a struggle for us all. The whole society has to become aware of the necessity for drastic change. But in our society we must rely on individuals who take the lead, who show us what has to be done. VAOP wants to acknowledge the importance of these special individuals, without whom progress would slowdown. People who show us what is wrong, but also people who show us solutions. One of these people is Mary T. Crowley. VAOP is proud to honor her with the VAOP Achievement Award.

Researchers from Project Kaisei and the Scripps Environmental Accumulation of Plastic Expedition (SEAPLEX) recently journeyed through the Pacific Ocean collecting samples as they went. They explored the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, a huge collection of garbage floating in the Ocean, which covers some 1,700 miles.

Mary T. Crowley, Project Kaisei co-founder, told BBC: "More than 30 years ago, on my first trip to the North Pacific Gyre I found a few glass ball fishing floats, one net and there were, in four days, perhaps two pieces of floating plastic. Returning now with Project Kaisei the marine debris situation shows a startling change in this same area. In 30 minutes one easily can count up to 400 pieces of plastic on the sea's surface."

The team found a variety of invertebrates living in the debris, including crabs, sea anemones, barnacles, sponges and algae, sparking fears that the plastic may aid the spread of invasive species. The ultimate aim of the project is to develop sound scientific sampling of marine debris, to assess prototype technologies for removing the waste and to gain insight into how future clean-up programs might work.

In Holland we are now on the eve of a large program to collect plastic waste separately in our country. A big enterprise, in which our communities engage knowing that it has to be done, to prevent the global pile of plastic waste to become even bigger. Mary T. Crowley makes us aware for a problem that is literally physically larger than our country. We honor her, to show that she does not discourage us, but in fact inspires us to do what has to be done. Therefore we are proud to present Mary T. Crowley the VAOP Achievement Award.