FIFISH
Understanding Blue Technology in the Marine Environment
Blue Technology - We facilitate the sale and distribution of blue technology devices designed to clean our oceans, beaches, and waterways.
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FIFISH Overview
What is the FIFISH?
FIFISH is a sort of brand of underwater drones which were developed by QYSEA. They are used for multiple purposes and are very helpful in collecting information about underwater environments.
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They include advanced camera technology to capture clear images underwater, which assist with exploration and research.
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They are able to move in any direction, including up and down, which offers special flexibility compared to other drones.
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They are especially designed to be portable, which helps the user transport and deploy them without requiring assistance.
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Some forms of FIFISH are able to videostream underwater, which helps capture data in real time.
All of these features make FIFISH useful for many things, such as marine research, search and rescue operations, and even filmmaking!
What is the program?
This global volunteer-based initiative unites citizens, enhances clean-up efforts, and makes them into fun, collaborative efforts that build community and actionable environmental stewardship.
How does this program work?
Seaside’s website now features an interactive Experience Builder page offering accessible participant registration, a GIS map displaying teams around the world, a data form connected to the GIS map, and an interactive dashboard where you can explore various metrics of all the participants.
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The T.R.A.S.H Community Cleanup program is open to individuals, groups, clubs, teams, and families. Participants can easily join a team or register a new team by “adopting” an area (park, neighborhood, block, school, beach, river, harbor, etc.) through the Adoption Form, where their team’s pin will be displayed on the GIS map.
Teams agree to perform at least one clean-up every two months and commit to an extended period of time. However, Seaside will conduct constant outreach to encourage participants and teams to adopt a more frequent cleanup cadence.
Once a cleanup is completed, team leaders will submit their Progress Report through Experience Builder. This form includes information such as who the participants and “Team Leaders” are, weight and amount of trash collected, interesting and engaging photos of them during the cleanup, and an open response section where people can write any additional information such as the weirdest item found or the most type of an item collected. Participants will be required to submit a Progress Report each time they complete a cleanup. To further help Seaside Sustainability collect data and complete waste audits, participants have the option of submitting their data to the T.R.A.S.H Community Cleanup Little Green Light Form. This is not mandatory- but it is highly encouraged!
The engaging and interactive T.R.A.S.H Community Cleanup Experience Builder will display team pictures, team information like team leaders and members, adoption area, contact information, as well as collected trash amounts and weights, and debris inventories from each team. Teams can choose to add as much content as they desire!
There is no registration fee to participate! Volunteers can elect to purchase essential materials in whatever quantities through our T.R.A.S.H Community Cleanup order form, such as Seaside vests, grabbers, gloves, and bags.
How to participate:
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Decide what area(s) you wish to adopt.
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Check Seaside Sustainability’s StoryMap to see if your potential area is available. If your preferred area is already adopted, you can always create or join a cleanup team that previously claimed the area. Select your block and fill out the Adoption Application form.
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Always check with your local policies and guidelines when deciding to partake.
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Ask for permission and or advise local government/proper people about adoption plans.
How to participate:
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Decide what area(s) you wish to adopt.
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Check Seaside Sustainability’s Experience Builder to see if your potential area is available. If your preferred area is already adopted, you can always join a cleanup team that previously claimed the area. Select your block and fill out the Application Form.
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Always check with your local policies and guidelines when deciding to partake.
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Ask for permission and or advise local government/proper people about adoption plans.
*While we can provide essential safety protocols, it is crucial for all volunteers to always practice their best judgment and discretion as each cleanup event will present its own set of unique challenges and circumstances. Remember, being flexible, vigilant, and looking out for your neighbors will ensure a better experience for everyone!*
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Use the buddy system, and let someone know the location you will be cleaning up. Always stay together by working in teams of at least two
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Adult supervision is required if youth are involved in clean-ups
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Unless it is a service animal or an emotional support animal, please refrain from bringing your pets to cleanups
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Only perform clean-ups during daylight hours
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Gear up appropriately for the weather and environment - use sturdy gloves, closed-toe shoes, long apparel, and safety vests to stay visible and protected
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Refrain from wearing music headsets or other distractions to remain alert and ready to respond to traffic
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Stay hydrated to avoid overexertion, sunburn, heat exhaustion, and dehydration
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Wear and reapply sunscreen diligently to prevent skin irritation
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Each group should have access to a first-aid kit, as well as know the nearest hospital and know how to get there in an emergency
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Please face oncoming traffic at all times. Stay alert and be prepared to move in case of an emergency
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Avoid holes or other obstacles; stay off steep slopes
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Be mindful of native wildlife; keep a safe distance - do not touch or pick up dead animals, or attempt to move injured animals
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Watch out for bees, wasps, poisonous plants, and other potential natural hazards. Always look before stepping!
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In parks and natural areas, follow all posted signage, stay on trails, and limit activities to areas open to the public
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Do not pick up or disturb natural objects, such as leaves, nests, or eggs
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Do not interact with hazardous items (i.e. condoms, broken glass, syringes, weapons, etc.) that could cause injury unless you have the proper equipment and training to do so
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Volunteers should not try to lift anything too heavy – when in doubt, don’t try it!
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Do not remove anything you are uncomfortable with
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If you find bottles while cleaning up and they have liquid inside, do not dump them out, as it could be harmful to the environment. Keep it closed and sealed
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If you clean up a local beach or waterway, be mindful of the current conditions (such as high tide, sneaker wave warnings, etc.), and be careful near the water's edge
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Alcoholic beverages and intoxicated participants are always prohibited during clean-ups
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Please avoid any fenced-off areas due to safety and trespassing guidelines, and do not enter any unhoused encampments or remove items that may be part of an encampment
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Please check the air quality in your area and if it is unhealthy, reschedule your cleanup for another day!
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Have fun and remember, safety first!
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Plastic is harmful because…
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It can take decades to centuries to decompose depending on the type of plastic in question. Most photodegradable plastics (broken down by light) turn into microplastics (North Atlantic Garbage Patch – North Atlantic Ocean - Atlas Obscura)
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They can serve as transportation for invasive species entering new regions (Subías-Baratau, Arnau et al., 2022)
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Photo: Oregon State University, License CC-BY-SA
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The most common items found by the international coastal cleanup 2020 from order to most to least common are: food wrappers, cigarette butts, plastic bottles, plastic bottle caps, straws and stirrers, plastic cups and plates, plastic grocery bags, takeout containers, plastic lids, other plastic bags
Photo: Seaside Sustainability
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Photo: Matt McIntosh/NOAA
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Most valuable trash found in the Gulf of Maine: (source: Marine debris field guide)
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Explosive shock tubing: Thin, plastic tubing (usually yellow) of any length, used to conduct underwater blasting work in the Boston Harbor dredging project.
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Hooksett disks: Round, white plastic biofilters released into the Merrimack River from an NH wastewater treatment plant in 2011. May be found whole or in pieces.
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Lobster trap ID tags: Rigid plastic bands in various colors, each stamped with unique information (year of issue, license #, state, fishing zone).
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Eel Trap Entrance Cones & Barrels: Black, tapered, plastic cones fitted into barrel traps.
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Photo: Rik Bennett
Photo: Center of Coastal Studies
Photo: Blue Ocean Society
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Due to the circulation of currents, more marine debris washes up on some beaches compared to others. These heavily littered beaches are known as catcher beaches (source: NOAA).
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Demand plastic-free alternatives
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Say no to single-use plastics (bags, straws, cutlery, water bottles, etc.)
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Reduce your carbon footprint
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Turn off the lights
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Ride a bike and use public transport rather than driving a car
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Eat sustainably caught wild seafood (less CO2 than land-based proteins)
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Avoid ocean-harming products
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Avoid products that are directly linked to harming endangered/threatened species
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Don't purchase souvenir shells/other animals, or products containing shark squalane
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Eat sustainable seafood
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Add small, oily fish to diets
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Refer to top chefs for sustainable recipes
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Vote on ocean issues
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Elect public officials who support sustainable ocean policies
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Do your research
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Contact representatives and lawmakers
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It’s up to constituents like you to make lawmakers aware of the crisis facing marine habitats
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Explore the oceans
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“People protect what they love” - Jacques-Yves Cousteau
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Leave nothing behind
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Make sure to clean up after yourself when enjoying the beaches/outdoors
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Share your ocean heroics with friends, family, and coworkers
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Spread the word on petitions, share facts, and join the conversations on social media
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Join groups that want to save the oceans
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Example: Oceana, they have protected over 4 million square miles of ocean
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