In the article, “Boy Genius Boyan Slat’s Giant Ocean Cleanup Machine Is Real”, Schiller (2017) mentioned about the events that lead to the conception and evolution of Boyan Slat’s Ocean Cleanup Machine design, which will start to help rid the ocean of tens of thousands of plastic garbage yearly from 2018. The author reported that the Patch was covered in plastic debris since 1997, and the build-up has worsened since then; thus, it inspired Slat to clean the ocean. His design involves a large boom rooted to the seabed and uses the Pacific’s current to gather the trash into the centre which would then be cleared up by “ocean garbage truck”. However, the project faced different reactions for its large scale concerning its resources and prospects. With all the hype generated by the initiative, Slat has modified his design to be more cost effective and efficient. Through research and development, the improved system consists of a large anchor to suspend the boom in “deep-water layer” and is scaled to contain 50 devices of 0.6 miles each. Therefore, the system does not require excavating the seabed, and it ensures the continuity of the system even when one device ceases to function.

Overall, the article did address the ongoing development of the machine and the creator’s expectation of it. However, it has failed to convince the reader on the design’s efficiency and address its interaction and impact on the marine lives.

Firstly, the article did not state the machine’s capabilities and limitations precisely. Apart from emphasising that the device will clean up as much as 50% of the total debris within five years, it missed out the fact that the machine is only able to pick up the garbage of a centimetre or larger in size or at 3-metres deep.  By removing the larger plastics, it will solve the entanglement issue for the aquatic wildlife and achieve an aesthetic ocean view. However, it does not address the presence of microplastic which causes toxic effects on creatures when ingested and it may indirectly affect human life by fishing and eating the affected fishers. This point is further supported in the article, “I asked 15 ocean plastic pollution experts about the Ocean Cleanup project, and they have concerns” (Shiffman, 2018). Hence, it showed a loophole in the system that may have unknowingly mislead readers into thinking that the machine is 100% foolproof.

Lastly, the article overlooked the environmental impact caused by the design. It is a known fact that with the implementation of such a large-scale system in the home of the aquatic wildlife, there’s bound to be a disruption to nature. In the article, “A massive plastic cleanup project provokes hope and scepticism” (Stein, 2018), it was emphasised that the device would become a “fish-attracting device” whereby small fishes will be attracted to the accumulation of algae on the device, which will bait larger fishes to the area. With the increased of fishes in the area, it will increase the rate of fishing since the system is unable to differentiate between garbage and them. Thus, it results in the possibility of entanglement within the debris and the “ghost nets”. Hence, it is a pressing concern that will cause public uproar if the foundation does not implement any measures to protect the creatures.

Although the project is a great initiative to clear up garbage accumulated over the years, it is not the best solution considering the number of resources used in its development which can alternatively be achieved by clearing the debris that washed up onshore. Ultimately, prevention is better than cure and so the initiative will be more successful if there is implementation at the root causes which is to educate the public and factories to dispose of waste properly.

Bibliography

Southern Fried Science (2018, June 13). I asked 15 ocean plastic pollution experts about the Ocean Cleanup project, and they have concerns. Retrieved, February 05, 2019, from http://www.southernfriedscience.com/i-asked-15-ocean-plastic-pollution-experts-about-the-ocean-cleanup-project-and-they-have-concerns/

PBSO News Hour (2018, October 05). A massive plastic cleanup project provokes hope and scepticism. Retrieved, February 05, 2019, from https://www.pbs.org/newshour/science/a-massive-plastic-cleanup-project-provokes-hope-and-skepticism

KCET (2015, June 04). 6 Reasons That Floating Ocean Plastic Cleanup Gizmo is a Horrible Idea. Retrieved, February 05, 2019, from https://www.kcet.org/redefine/6-reasons-that-floating-ocean-plastic-cleanup-gizmo-is-a-horrible-idea

Kinder (2018, August 14). Boyan Slat’s The Ocean Cleanup might not be the saviour we were hoping for. Retrieved, February 05, 2019, from https://www.kinder-world.org/articles/problems/boyan-slats-the-ocean-cleanup-might-not-be-the-saviour-we-were-hoping-for-19058