Puerto Cook and Vancouver – and microplastics

After a great evening in Puerto Parry where we invited the Argentine Navy crew of 4 over for dinner, we set out in the morning for Puerto Cook. It had been cloudy all morning, but as Maddi steered us into Cook, the sun started to peak out. Isla de los Estados has mountains in the middle and then less steep terrain on either side. Puerto Cook is at the eastern edge of the mountainous bit. The sun the started to peak out reflected off the white grey rocky peaks that rise above the grassy green scrub and trees below. A bird flew over head, which we have been trying to ID for most of the trip – looks like it is a type of Caracara

We got to the head of the fjord and attached ourselves to the buoy in the bay, had a good lunch, then set out for shore to cross the island. This is the narrowest point on the island (and a suspected old fault according to geologists). Abby decided to haul her bulk sampling equipment up and over to the other side. We had noted that usually we do a beach clean up there and it seems to be a collecting spot for trash due to wind, waves and currents, so it could be an interesting spot to sample from. It would be the first time to test the set up from the shore as opposed to from the deck of the boat. It seemed to work ok, minus the large amount of micro-kelp that entered the system meaning we could only pump 14 liters as opposed to the desired 20l before the filter got clogged with kelp debris. As Abby was sampling, the rest of the crew were wandering the beach collecting trash.

Once the bulk and grab samples were taken, all data logged, all 6 of us headed up and around a promontory for a better view of the south coast. On that other side were fairly fresh whale bones and baleen – we are not expert enough to say exactly what type, but it did not seem overly large due to the vertebrae and rib bones we found. In addition we continued to clean up this coast. Abby got herself up in the bushes and next thing we knew plastic bottles were flying out of the bushes left and right. In addition to the bottles, Abby earthed up a nearly new hard hat, a perfectly good plastic mug, a large plastic crate for veggies, a bucket, and we found 2 Styrofoam buoys. Quite a find, which we then hauled back across the island.

Once back on the beach facing puerto Cook, Abby did another bulk sample and a “blank” to be able to check and confirm that the system itself does not introduce plastics. We then piled back into the boat for some much earned happy hour – turns out we have cheese fiends onboard! Plus fede introduced everyone to the game of Rummy Tiles! A success. And diner of Pad Thai followed by a dessert screening of Paul NIcklin’s TED talk rounded out the day.

-Laura