[2] Discovered by NOAA, and publicized by Captain Charles Moore, the patch is estimated to contain 20 times the density of floating debris compared to the global average.

[2] The project aims to study the types, extent, and nature of the debris with a view to identifying the scope of the problem and its effects on the ocean biome as well as ways of capturing, detoxifying, and recycling the material.

As ocean lovers, Mary being a long time sailor, George being a surfer, expert on surfboard design, Author of Essential Surfing, and carries on the work of Project Kaisei by sitting on the boards of the Walter Munk Foundation For The Oceans and the Buckminster Fuller Institute as well as connections to the Gump Research Station For Coral Reefs – Moorea, Tahiti.

Doug Woodring has backgrounds in business, finance, innovative technology and media maintains his passion for open water swimming and paddling racing.

Technologies for remediation or recycling are being evaluated, to potentially create secondary products from the waste, which in turn could help subsidize a larger scale cleanup.

New data on the issue has been collected, and more research and planning need to be done in order to understand the metrics, effectiveness and costs associated with a larger scale cleanup effort.

Andrea Neal, principal investigator on the Kaisei speaking on Tuesday 1 September stated that "Marine debris is the new man-made epidemic.

Findings suggested that the presence of small debris, of a similar size to the existent marine life, could prove an obstacle to cleanup efforts.

The initial feasibility mission aimed to collect 40 tons of debris, using special nets designed not to catch fish, in two passes through the field.

If the initial mission proved the collection and processing technologies to be viable, it was expected that the Kaisei would lead a full scale commercial cleanup voyage with other vessels, becoming operational within 18 months.