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Native Son researching ocean pollution problem
crew of Alguita
Off South Point, Hawaii
crew of Alguita
Pre-departure crew shot
STORY TOOLS 
More from VenturaNative resident Jeff Ernst, who recently graduated from Buena High School in 2004, Ventura College in 2005 and the University of Hawaii (Hilo) last December with a B.A. in Natural and Marine Sciences, is now a crew member on the Ocean Research Vessel Alguita. The ORV Alguita (a 50' sailing catamaran), and its crew of six, left Hilo, HI on January 20th to conduct a winter study of marine pollution that is present in the North Pacific Gyre, where currents rotate and trap trash. Their primary focus is on the alarming increase of plastic pollution and its effect on all levels of marine life. Their research is being used by NOAA, various governments, environmental groups and even our own Channel Islands National Park. The Alguita is due to arrive in Long Beach around 1/20 before leaving 1/27 for a new assignment off Baja California, for the Mexican Government. Their assignment, following Mexico, will be our own Channel Islands National Park. The Alguita posts a fascinating daily interactive blog at http://orvalguita.blogspot.com/search?updated-min=2008-01-01T00%3A00%3A00-08%3A00&updated-max;=2009-01-01T00%3A00%3A00-08%3A00&max-results;=10. The research foundation that runs the ORV Alguita is: Algalita Marine Research Foundation, whose web site is http://www.algalita.org/research.html.
Posted by rwhitnall , Moderator, on February 6, 2008 at 11:34 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Thanks for the post Kent. What a neat adventure for Jeff! I especially liked the crew's blog. It's very cool that they take the time to answer comments and such.
Becca
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