ALGALITA MARINE RESEARCH FOUNDATION

Algalita Marine Research Foundation (AMRF) is a Long Beach-based non-profit organization dedicated to the protection of the marine environment through research, education and restoration. If you're aware of the plastic mess in the middle of the Pacific Ocean (the Pacific Garbage Patch), it's because of the work of Captain Charles Moore and AMRF.

"Please support the Rowing for the Environment project.  As these daring women row across the Atlantic Ocean, they will be collecting samples for AMRF along their path, allowing us to extend our understanding of the extent of plastic contamination in parts of the Atlantic previously not studied.  We applaud their efforts."

-Marieta Francis, Executive Director

Rowing for a Cause

In addition to being a worthy cause, Algalita understands that as much as 80% of the litter and debris in our oceans originates on land. Team Rowing For The Environment will use media opportunities to establish a connection between our actions on land and the health of our oceans. The team will address our fans and supporters by attempting to promote ways everyone can play a role in improving the environment through their daily choices and actions. 

Algalita is moving full speed ahead on several research projects which will shed light on one of the most under-recognized yet ubiquitous issues facing our planet; plastic debris in our oceans. Algalita's research team is at the forefront of the investigation into plastic pollution in our oceans. With the help of Team Rowing For The Environment, the foundation will be able to obtain samples never before gathered in the mid Atlantic Ocean.  The team is examining both the scope of plastic contamination and the implications this pollution has on the food chain. 

The focus of Algalita's current research to date includes the prevalence and quantification of plastic debris in the North Pacific Sub-tropical Gyre (NPSG), biological impact of plastics on marine life, and the human food chain. The team will examine plastic toxins in the ambient ocean water as well as the large entanglement of debris found off the coast of Hawaii in 2002. 

 Education

Algalita's educations goals are met through our K-12 school programs (including curriculums and/or DVDs set to California's science standards), public outreach, and our unique educational literature. We make presentations, at the local, state, federal, and international levels, covering the topics of marine debris and ocean health. The foundation has also created a series of educational videos. 

Restoration

The definition of restoration is "a return of something to a former, original, normal, or unimpaired condition." While it may be difficult, if not impossible, to be able to restore the world’s oceans to their original, normal or unimpaired condition, Algalita has established a successful restoration project that seeks to return decimated southern California kelp forests to their original condition.

Your membership and donations make a difference! 

The Algalita Marine Research Foundation is an independent research organization funded solely through donations, memberships, and grants.  If you want to help preserve our coastal environment, please support the Algalita Marine Research Foundation.