Vet to row round coastline for plastics research
Hannah Davies says microplastics are making their way into our food systems
- Published
A Surrey vet is to collect data on microplastic pollution as part of a team rowing around the British coastline.
Hannah Davies, senior lecturer in veterinary clinical practice at the University of Surrey, will be part of a crew of six taking part in the GB Row Challenge.
They will row non-stop and unsupported for 2,000 miles around the British coastline on a journey that could last 40-45 days.
The team hopes to build the first-ever complete picture of the state of the UK coastal waters.
The GB Row Challenge team will set off from London on 9 June
They will be collecting data on microplastic (pieces of plastic less than 5mm across) and underwater man-made noise pollution, species biodiversity, water temperature and salinity.
Ms Davies said: “It is important that we learn more about the state of our oceans and the impact climate change and pollution are having.
"The damage is already becoming apparent, with microplastics having made their way into our food systems and noise pollution potentially being responsible for the increasing number of whale pods being disrupted and stranded on beaches during their migration.
“The more we know, the more we can do to preserve aquatic life and environments under the sea."
The team, made up of Patrick Deacon (skipper), Adam Ravenscroft, Joe Benson, Hannah Davies, Lia Evans and Daisy Lucker, will depart from Tower Bridge on 9 June.
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