Big Blue Bag Empowers Travelers Against Marine Plastic
The HX Foundation has launched the Big Blue Bag initiative in partnership with broadcaster and marine conservationist Monty Halls to tackle marine plastic pollution through citizen science. This new program offers four simple conservation protocols designed to engage guests in collecting vital environmental data during their voyages. Participants can monitor microplastic pollution, document species biodiversity, measure water temperature, and record coastal debris, then upload their findings to Coreo, a global open-access database.
By democratizing data collection, the Big Blue Bag project transforms cruise travelers into active contributors to marine research. Each HX Expeditions ship will carry a kit starting this summer, empowering guests across more than 250 destinations to make consistent observations. The initiative not only helps scientists fill gaps in ocean health data but also educates travelers on the immediate impact of plastic and environmental change in the world’s waterways.
“The Big Blue Bag offers practical and easy-to-follow science that can have an impact on tackling marine and environmental issues which are negatively impacting our rivers, waterways and coastal areas,” said Monty Halls, reflecting on his commitment to hands-on conservation. Halls emphasized that the protocols are accessible to all ages and experience levels, ensuring that families and individuals can participate without specialized training. By fostering a sense of ownership over local environments, the program aims to inspire long-term stewardship.
Once participants collect data, they upload their results via a mobile-friendly interface to Coreo. The centralized platform aggregates submissions from around the world, allowing researchers to track trends in microplastic concentrations, observe shifts in marine biodiversity, and monitor changes in water temperature over time. This crowd-sourced approach supplements traditional oceanographic surveys, offering high-resolution insights into regions that may otherwise be under-sampled.
“For our foundation, supporting projects that help educate and raise awareness about our vital yet vulnerable ecosystems is a core mission,” said Gebhard Rainer, chief executive officer of HX and president of the HX Foundation. “Initiatives like The Big Blue Bag are a powerful tool for both education and action—we believe the power lies in getting people hands-on and active. It removes barriers and inspires individuals to make a meaningful impact.”
Since its inception in 2015, the HX Foundation has donated more than $1.8 million to environmental and community causes worldwide. The Big Blue Bag marks the latest addition to its portfolio of conservation projects, which also includes coastal cleanup campaigns and marine species protection programs. By leveraging the foundation’s resources and HX Expeditions’ global reach, the initiative can scale rapidly and sustain long-term engagement.
Travelers embarking on HX Expeditions cruises will find the Big Blue Bag kit conveniently located on deck, complete with sampling equipment, data sheets, and QR codes linking to instructional videos. Crew members trained in the protocols will offer brief workshops before sailings, ensuring participants feel confident in their data collection methods. The hands-on experience encourages a deeper appreciation for marine ecosystems and underscores the urgency of addressing plastic pollution.
As more guests contribute data, scientists hope to identify pollution hotspots and track the effectiveness of local cleanup efforts. The Coreo database’s open-access policy allows academic institutions, non-profit organizations, and government agencies to analyze the information for research and policy development. By connecting citizen-gathered data with professional studies, the initiative aims to bridge gaps between public awareness and scientific action.
The Big Blue Bag project demonstrates how travel companies can integrate conservation into their guest experience, turning leisure into learning and action. As Monty Halls noted, empowering individuals to witness environmental challenges firsthand is a potent motivator for change. With cruise travelers as citizen scientists, the HX Foundation’s latest initiative sets a new standard for sustainable tourism and marine conservation.
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