Dear members and friends of the environment!

This time, our newsletter is all about the SEEKUH (German for “Seacow”) campaign in Hong Kong during the beginning of this year. With a team of six people, led by Holger Borchert, we presented our concept of “Maritime Garbage Collection”, held many interesting conversations and networked with local environmental initiatives. The assembly of the SEEKUH in a marina on the outskirts of the city as well as the sometimes time-consuming organization of necessary certificates and permits were in the lead-up. Just in time for the big reception in the Hong Kong Maritime Museum, the SEEKUH let its nets to water in front of the city’s skyline. Karin and Michael Röchling, our loyal sponsors, made the long journey to experience the SEEKUH in action. For that we want to thank them very much. We also want to thank the team of Li & Fung, especially Gerard Raymond, President of LF Beauty Limited, for their professional cooperation and their great organization of the reception. In fact, during the weeks in Hong Kong, there were many helping hands to support us, and our idea, for example the gifted forklift and crane operators, with whose help we got SEEKUH seaworthy in just four days. Also a big Thank You to all supporting members of the organisation! At home in Germany, the world of OEOO also continued, as we opened our new office in Kiel in the beginning of the year. A dedicated team on the boot 2018 presented the work of OEOO and our research in the field of micro plastics. We have therefore again had three eventful months, which we look back on. And so it continues.

We wish you all a lovely and possible plastic-free spring. Please stay with us.

Günther Bonin and the team

Our activities

December 2017:

• One Earth – One Ocean e.V. is nominated for the 2018 Ocean Tribute Award
• The Seekuh travels by container ship from Bremerhaven to Hong Kong from late November to mid-January.

January 2018:

• OEOO on the boot 2018 in Düsseldorf: OEOO is showing its microplastic work and are presenting the Microplastic Pollution Map at the joint booth „Love your Ocean“.
• The Seehamster Type 4 is completed for use in Cambodia and approved by TÜV.
• 22.01 .: Ocean Summit in Hong Kong on plastic waste in the seas as part of the Volvo Ocean Race 2017-18, we are there.

February 2018:

• Reception at the Maritime Museum of Hong Kong: Günther presents our concept to over 100 invited guests
• Joint Beach Cleaning with two environmental groups in Hong Kong brings over 30 bags of plastic waste and rubbish. The Seekuh is there.
• 02 .: Bettina Kelm gives her talk „A sea drowns in plastic waste“ in the Café Max II in Feldafing
• Articles in DIE WELT and Welt Online: „Plastic waste – the most dangerous monster of the seas“ on 24.02.18 introduces work of OEOO
• Member of OEOO in Cambodia to discuss the project with the local team

Please find the complete newsletter 03-18 for download here.