http://blog.oceanconservancy.org/2014/03/31/searching-for-a-missing-plane-in-an-ocean-of-trash/

Searching for a Missing Plane in an Ocean of Trash
Posted On March 31, 2014 by Nick Mallos

The disappearance of Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 has scientists
worldwide poring over blurry satellite images of remote portions of the
Indian Ocean. While some of these photos may provide promising leads,
others highlight a different problem: There is a lot of ?stuff? in our
ocean that doesn?t belong there.

As a marine debris specialist for Ocean Conservancy, I?ve witnessed the
problem of ocean trash firsthand. I?ve traveled to the North Pacific
Gyre, where large concentrations of plastic debris collect in the middle
of the swirling ocean. I?ve cleaned up trash, from the 2011 Japanese
tsunami, along the coast of Alaska. I?ve also joined thousands of
volunteers in Ocean Conservancy?s annual International Coastal Cleanup.

I do not wish to overshadow the tragedy of the missing Malaysia Airlines
jetliner by placing the focus on marine debris. However, ocean trash is
a topic that is relevant to the ongoing search. Close examination of
marine debris and what we already know will hopefully bring search teams
one step closer to finding the missing plane. Additionally, the false
positives of debris that plague search and rescue operations daily
underscore the fact that marine debris not only threatens ocean
wildlife, habitats and economies; it also jeopardizes maritime
operations and safety.