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These videos are available for purchase from the the Algalita Marine Research Foundation (AMRF) website. Go there now.
The Synthetic Sea Story
The Synthetic Sea Story is the latest on the issue of marine debris studies conducted by the Algalita Marine Research Foundation. Key researchers are interviewed, including Dr Anthony Andrady, the leading authority on how plastic breaks down in the marine environment. Ways to combat the plastic plague through education are discussed.
Chapters include: parameters of plastic, the latest Pacific Gyre voyage, California coast considerations, the endocrine disruption problem on ocean food webs, and closes with series of initial solutions humans can employ.
Purchase a copy of The Synthetic Sea Story.
Our Synthetic Sea
Watch a preview of Synthetic Sea.
Our Synthetic Sea traces the groundbreaking research conducted by the Algalita Marine Research Foundation (AMRF) regarding the exponential buildup of “non-biodegradable” plastic debris in the world’s ocean. The program documents AMRF research and sampling from Hawaii, the North Central Pacific Gyre, and the California Coastline.
Our Synthetic Sea employs scientific papers and interviews with concerned scientists to reveal why toxic, estrogenic plastic debris is a serious, chronic threat to marine food webs.
Purchase a copy of Our Synthetic Sea from AMRF
Synthetic Sea (Short version)
Watch a preview of Synthetic Sea (short version).
Documentary that explores a scientific investigation regarding the "explosive increase" of plastic debris in the world’s ocean. Synthetic Sea depicts how this plastic menace is negatively impacting sea life in increasingly alarming ways. Read more about this research [click here].
Purchase a copy of Synthetic Sea from AMRF.
Giant Sea Bass
Anecdotal evidence suggests that Giant Sea Bass (stereolepis gigas) is making a significant comeback after nearly becoming extinct. Giant Sea Bass behavior includes forming summer spawning aggregations in known locations and mostly in shallow waters. Therefore it was easy to target these giant fish by skin divers and fisherman. Dr Michael Domieir, of the Pfleger Institute of Environmental Research, is California’s principal investigator of the Giant Sea Bass. His findings paint a picture of unsuccessful reproduction due, he believes, to endocrine disruption, since these fish feed on the bottom where heavy metals like PCBs and DDT have infiltrated the food web. We see the adults. But where are the babies? It is a good question that remains to be answered.
Purchase a copy of Giant Sea Bass from AMRF
Plastic Debris, Rivers to Sea
This recently-released DVD describes the land-based sources of plastic debris and trash in the marine environment. This informative presentation describes the results of recent research, public and private responses in California, and new actions that provide hope that marine debris can be stopped.
Purchase a copy of Plastic Debris, Rivers to Sea from AMRF
Watershed Initiative
(21.1 MB, 10 minutes)
Watch the Watershed Initiative video
AMRF is working to mitigate the impact of the built environment from the natural watershed environment.
Mexico Initiative: Science without Borders
(7 MB, 3 minutes, 22 seconds)
Watch the Science without Borders video
In Mexico Algalita is working with a number of scientific organization working to help both wetland and marine environments.
Kelp Forest
(7.3 MB, 3 minutes, 29 seconds)
Gordon Lehman of Coastal Marine Technologies continues research on restoration of the endangered Giant Kelp beds off the Southern California Coast and continues development of his educational kelp sporing equipment.