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Tag: WWF

WWF and SKY launch WasteShark

OUR PARTNERSHIP – WWF and Sky Ocean Rescue have launched an autonomous marine robot in north Devon to help clear Ilfracombe harbour of waste. The WasteShark® will be roaming through distances of up to 5km of water, capturing plastics, microplastics, oils and other pollutants. If used five days a week the WasteShark can collect in excess of 15 tonnes of waste a year, with the plastic recycled to make products.

This is the first time that a WasteShark has been used in the UK, following successful launches in five countries. The WasteShark, which is created by RanMarine Technology, is the world’s first marine robot designed specifically to eat waste and collect data. It is designed to be harmonious with the environment. As it navigates the water the WasteShark emits no carbon, produces no noise or light pollution, and poses no threat to wildlife.

DID YOU KNOW?

Eight million tonnes of plastic are dumped in the oceans each year, with catastrophic consequences for wildlife. 90% of the world’s sea birds have fragments of plastic in their stomachs, while up to 80% of mussels taken from a number of British beaches were found to contain microplastics.

WASTE SHARK IN ACTION

Through our work with Sky Ocean Rescue we are launching the WasteShark, to improve the health of our seas. This includes Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), which, though designated for their environmental importance, face threats from a number of issues, including plastic pollution.

Ilfracombe Harbour is within a MPA that is home to diverse species, it boasts some of UK’s most diverse and incredible wildlife – including grey seals and pink sea fan corals. Collecting waste in the harbour prevents it damaging the immediate area and from being taken out to sea by the tide and threatening the important wildlife in surrounding MPAs.

 

CLEANING UP OUR SEAS

The WasteShark can roam for up to eight hours on one charge. It is programmed with GPS points to ensure that it covers hotspots where waste gathers, and its path can be programmed and monitored remotely. Along with removing waste, the WasteShark can collect important data about the marine environment.

Read the full article by WWF article

Drone ‘shark’ that eats plastic goes live in UK waters

The WasteShark is an autonomous marine drone and is the first designed specifically to eat waste.  Its shape is inspired by the whale shark and it can remove 1kg (2.3lb) of waste per minute and last for eight hours at a time.

The device is making its UK debut in Ilfracombe harbour, in Devon, on Monday, after operating successfully in five countries, including South Africa and United Arab Emirates.

It runs on a by a rechargeable battery and will capture up to 160 litres of waste at a time, including plastics and microplastics.

It can also extract oils and pest plants such as algae and duckweed.

The plastic waste will be turned into pellets that will be used to make products such as kayaks.

Created by RanMarine Technology, the WasteShark is designed to be harmonious with the environment and it causes no harm to wildlife. GPS points are programmed into the drone to ensure that it covers hot-spots where waste gathers. It can also collect important data about the marine environment.

WWF and Sky Ocean Rescue are launching the WasteShark as part of their work to improve Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). These areas include precious habitats and the species within them, and are under serious threat from issues including plastic and pollution.

Ilfracombe harbour lies within the Bideford to Foreland Point MPA, home to a number of important species and diverse habitats, including rocky reefs, honeycomb worms, pink sea fans and the charismatic spiny lobster. The area is also regularly visited by seabirds and cetaceans including the elusive harbour porpoise.

Lundy Island, home to some of the UK’s most diverse and incredible wildlife, including species of conservation importance like grey seals, lies just 12 miles off the coast.

The device is being tested in the UK at Ilfracombe harbour

Jenny Oates, UK SEAS Programme Manager at WWF, said: “The WasteShark will help us fight the waste that enters the harbour, snapping it up before the tide takes it out to sea and it ends up threatening wildlife in other precious marine areas.

“There’s no doubt we need to see major systemic change when it comes to single-use plastic. As we strive to get governments and businesses to commit to turning off the plastic tap, there is an important role for innovative technology to remove it from our seas.”

Read the full article by Sky News article

Sir Robert Syms Opposes Plastic Pollution

Today our Poole MP, Sir Robert Syms, performed the first UK launch of a drone called WasteShark that collects floating plastic and other rubbish so that it can be removed and recycled. Robert used the occasion to give an interview for BBC Radio Solent in which he described the importance of keeping out local waters free of plastic pollution, which can endanger wildlife and spoil Poole Harbour unless we remain vigilant.

The WasteShark drone can either be steered by a handheld joystick or run in autonomous mode, either around a set course or within a set perimeter. It runs silently and safely on rechargeable batteries and includes collision avoidance software. It can hold up to a third of a ton of rubbish before it needs to be emptied and it poses no threat to marine life. At the same time, the drone can serve as a platform for a variety of sensors to measure water quality, temperature and so on.

On behalf of RanMarine Technology, Oliver Cunningham (pictured above) introduced Robert to the WasteShark drone and explained its featured and benefits on BBC Radio Solent before Robert launched the drone into Poole Harbour (picture above). The company vision is that the drones can work steadily in coastal waters worldwide, doing their bit to solve the plastic pollution problem, piece by piece.

The vision is that WasteShark drones can work steadily in urban and coastal waters worldwide, doing their bit to solve the plastic pollution problem, and supporting evidence-based management of Smart Cities.

Read the full article by Poole Conservatives article