The deployment of the Neuston net as part of our sailing project presents a unique opportunity to collect a diverse range of seaweed samples for various research purposes. Our primary objective is to contribute to the development of efficient and sustainable methods for producing biofuels and bioplastics from algae, which have the potential to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions and provide renewable alternatives to traditional fossil fuels.

To achieve our goals, we will collaborate with research institutions that specialize in seaweed-based biofuel and bioplastic production. By leveraging the seaweed samples collected using the Neuston net, our partners can analyze the chemical composition of the seaweed, identify species with high lipid and carbohydrate content, and develop innovative extraction technologies to produce biofuels and bioplastics. Through our collective efforts, we can make significant strides towards a more sustainable future and establish valuable opportunities for sponsorships and partnerships in this critical area of study.

A Neuston net will serve to collect Sargassum, a type of seaweed, which will be examined by Dr. Parsons and his team at the Vester Field Station to better understand the role of floating Sargassum in distributing Gambierdiscus dinoflagellates around the Greater Caribbean region. Gambierdiscus species produce toxins that can result in toxic reef fish, which can cause gastrointestinal and neurological symptoms in humans if consumed. By studying this mechanism, we can better understand and mitigate the risk of toxic fish in the region.

With the Neuston net will aid in the research efforts of Dr. Rebecca Helm at Georgetown University. Through photographs of the organisms collected, Dr. Helm can determine the geographic range and presence of key species, such as the Blue Button Jellyfish (Porpita porpita) and By-the-Wind Sailors (Velella velella). These species play a critical role in creating food and shelter for a diverse array of ocean surface species. Studying their distribution and abundance is important for understanding how human activities affect their habitat and ultimately, the health of the entire marine ecosystem. By providing valuable data, the Neuston net can contribute to our understanding of these key species and inform efforts to protect and conserve them.

By collaborating with the Seakeepers society we will also contribute to the Nippon Foundation-GEBCO Seabed 2030 Project through the collection and sharing of depth measurements. This project, launched at the United Nations Ocean Conference in 2017, aims to map the world's ocean floor by 2030, aligning with the UN's Sustainable Development Goal #14 and the Ocean Decade. As the oceans cover over two thirds of our planet and we know more about the surface of Mars than the seafloor, our contributions will provide a valuable dataset covering areas where data is currently sparse, non-existent, or of poor quality.

Through the sharing of routinely measured parameters such as under keel depth and position, we will help identify uncharted features such as seamounts and canyons, verify charted information, and fill the gaps on charts where no data exists. Our efforts will benefit navigational safety, help detect unknown hazards, and aid other mariners and ocean scientists. As Dr. Mathias Jonas, the IHO Secretary-General, says, "Getting to know the ocean is the greatest mapping adventure of our times. Many underwater mountain ranges, volcanoes, and canyons have yet to be discovered and named." Through our project, we hope to contribute to this exciting mapping adventure and help protect and conserve the ocean and its resources.

As we make our way across the Atlantic Ocean, we will conduct daily Secchi disk measurements. The Secchi disk, a plain white disk with a 30 cm diameter, will be lowered vertically into the water and weighted from below to make it sink. The depth at which the disk disappears from sight, known as the Secchi depth, is used as an indicator of the water's clarity. This measurement can be particularly useful in estimating the amount of phytoplankton present in the surface waters of the open ocean, away from estuaries and coasts.

Phytoplankton play a critical role in the marine food chain and account for over 50% of all photosynthesis on Earth. However, climate change is threatening these microscopic organisms, which could have far-reaching consequences for marine ecosystems. A recent study found that global phytoplankton concentrations had decreased by 40% over the last 50 years. Our Secchi disk measurements will provide valuable data to Dr. Richard R. Kirby and his team, who are studying the ongoing changes in phytoplankton populations. By better understanding these changes, we can work to protect and preserve marine ecosystems before it is too late.