Area of Study: Plastic pollution in Marine enviRONMENT

Emmanuel Kudolo embarked on an exciting and daring expedition with Biosfera to the remote, untouched shores of the protected island of Santa Luzia in Cabo Verde. This island, far from human activity, had never been investigated for marine debris—making it the perfect location to uncover the mysteries of ocean pollution. As part of Biosfera’s ongoing battle against marine pollution, Emmanuel and the team ventured into this pristine environment to study the influx of plastic waste that the island’s beaches had never seen before. Cape Verde, positioned at the heart of the North Atlantic Gyre, is uniquely susceptible to the accumulation of marine debris. During this adventurous mission, the team applied a specially developed methodology to track and categorize the debris washing up on the beaches of Santa Luzia. The goal? To understand where the waste is coming from, how often it returns, and what types of materials are most prevalent. This expedition, part of the Darwin 200 initiative, is helping Biosfera strengthen its efforts to combat marine pollution by comparing these untouched beach findings with previous studies from other parts of Cabo Verde. The data gathered will be essential in shaping future conservation strategies, offering invaluable insights to protect the island’s ecosystems and guide actions against ocean plastic pollution.