This is what it's all about.
At the Sail & Explore Association, we combine sailing, science, and education to tackle one of the greatest environmental challenges of our time: plastic pollution in the oceans.
Our expeditions apply first-of-a-kind, long-term microplastic studies in the sub 300 µm size range, a scale often overlooked but critical for understanding how plastics move through marine ecosystems and into the food chain. By focusing on these smaller particles, our work contributes directly to ocean conservation, human health research, and high impact scientific publications that inform global policy and awareness.
Each expedition not only generates new knowledge but also strengthens public understanding of how microplastics affect both marine life and people.
Ocean microplastic sampling 
Microplastics from the Atlantic 
Manta trawl sampling
My project is special because ...
Most research groups studying microplastics stop at surface sampling, but we want to go deeper. By integrating oceanographic data—such as water temperature, salinity, pH, turbidity, chlorophyll content and depth—into our manta trawl sampling, we can develop methodology that dramatically increases the scientific value of our datasets.
This approach will allow us to collect additional important ocean data simultaneously with microplastic trawling, opening the door to future multi-data collection approaches and a much deeper understanding of our oceans. By incorporating more functionality, Sail & Explore will not only expand the importance of our own research but also set a new standard for the field.
Sea multi-sensor 
Chlorophyll sensor
This is what I need backing for.
As a non profit, we rely on the generosity of supporters to make this work possible. To bring this next phase of our research to life, we are counting on your help. And you can count on us to continue to deliver high impact science about our oceans.
100 % of your funding will go towards hardware and software capable of capturing the oceanographic data, and for the design, labor, and testing to deliver a fully functional prototype within six months.
We are contracting with CatchCam to provide the sensors, while we will do the mounting and testing inhouse to deliver the final system in time for our first expedition scheduled for April 2026. With this investment, we can equip our expeditions with the tools to collect richer, more impactful data that will benefit not only marine science but also human health studies and conservation strategies worldwide.
Your support will directly enable us to study and protect the oceans with greater precision and urgency, ensuring that our findings continue to shape solutions for a cleaner, healthier planet.