2020 – Establishment of Clean Ocean Ensemble
In December 2020, on Shodoshima Island in Japan, our founder Yuki Egawa and a group of passionate former JICA volunteers in the environmental field officially established Clean Ocean Ensemble as an NPO.
This marked the start of our grand mission to develop innovative solutions to the marine debris problem and create a future without marine debris.
2021 – Executing and Learning from Existing Activities
We carried out nearly all existing marine debris activities already in place in Japan and learned a great deal from them.
However, we keenly realized that these existing methods alone had their limitations, and thus decided to explore a new approach, including looking into overseas examples.
2022 – Pilot Technology and Initial Cleanup Activities
We developed our first low-cost marine debris collection device—a floating barrier system made from readily available materials—and conducted pilot cleanup activities along the Shodoshima coastline.
We created and tested prototypes No.1 through No.3 of the collection device; however, the offshore collection device demonstration ended in failure.
2023 – Laying the Groundwork for Greater Impact & Starting Resource Recovery Partnerships
We developed and operated collection devices No.4 through No.6, successfully demonstrating for the first time an offshore collection device that identified and captured drifting marine debris routes.
At the same time, we began considering citizen science data collection involving local fishers, devising the concept of a “Marine Debris MAP” to accumulate information about debris at the point of collection.
We also launched partnerships with three companies for material-specific resource recovery, and by the end of 2023 we had collected over 1,000 kg of marine debris in total.
2024 – Marine Debris MAP Release, River Collection Device Release & Mozambique Offshore Collection Device Testing Begins
We released a prototype of the Marine Debris MAP, making the app and web-based map publicly available, and issued our first “Collection Support Certificate.”
We began development and operation of debris collection devices for rivers and initiated testing of offshore collection devices in Mozambique.
By the end of 2024, we had collected over 2,000 kg of marine debris in total and formed new resource recovery partnerships with three more companies (focused on cans, lures, and fishing rods).
2025 – Organizational Growth, Further Evolution of the Marine Debris MAP, and Preparation for Advancing River Collection Devices
We will significantly update our system and operations so that our river collection devices can be deployed in additional areas.
We will integrate AI into the Marine Debris MAP, elevating our analysis accuracy to the next level.
We will also implement a linkage with a blockchain-based marine debris collection credit issuance system, expanding our user base.
We will establish a new partnership with a company handling marine PET bottles and publish our research findings in an academic paper. Through establishing a Kobe office and other initiatives, we will enhance our organization’s expertise and influence overall.
2026 – Strengthening International Collaboration
Building on the know-how we gain in 2025, we will pursue partnerships with overseas pioneers in the marine debris field and launch full-scale collaborative cleanup projects primarily in Asia, Africa, and South America.
We will expand collaboration with local NPOs and companies, deploying both river and ocean collection device operation models.
Using a multi-lingual Marine Debris MAP, we will analyze collected data to allocate resources strategically in highly polluted regions.
We will visualize the journey of collected debris from pickup to recycling through a linked tracking system.
We will deepen our alliances with international assistance programs and environmental funds to expand support in finance, human resources, and technology.
2027 – Smart Technology, Large-Scale Demonstrations & Deployment of Seafloor Collection Devices
We will enhance next-generation debris collection systems using fishing methods and AI, continuing large-scale demonstrations.
We will succeed in developing a seafloor debris collection device in Japan’s Seto Inland Sea, extending our collection efforts to the seabed.
By tracking marine debris, we will refine our analysis of marine energy. Based on that data, we will strengthen systems that predict weather changes and ocean currents, recommending optimal collection points and timing.
We will expand joint development with emerging countries and island regions, promoting global adoption of low-cost, high-efficiency cleanup devices.
2028 – Successful Development of Deep-Sea Debris Collection Devices
We will succeed in developing a deep-sea debris collection device targeting waters deeper than the seafloor zone, and begin test operations.
We will reinforce pressure-resistance and remote-control technology to enable sustainable cleanup in deeper waters.
By combining these efforts with long-term observation data, we will work to minimize environmental impact on deep-sea ecosystems.
2029 – Major Advances in Deep-Sea Debris Collection Devices
Drawing on extensive data and successful projects accumulated worldwide, marine debris collection technology will undergo a significant leap.
We will employ new AI capable of learning real-time changes in weather and ocean currents, along with devices using highly durable materials, which will greatly boost cleanup efficiency.
Our collection devices will autonomously coordinate with each other, creating a broad and efficient collection network.
We will further strengthen our use of natural energy sources to reduce environmental impact and significantly extend operating times.
We will also enhance collaboration with onshore recycling centers to accelerate and automate the entire process from collection to recycling.
2030 – Working Toward a Society with Zero Marine Debris
We will set a goal on our Marine Debris MAP for quantified annual marine debris collection to exceed the amount entering the ocean annually (estimated at 20,000 to 60,000 tons in Japan).
We will launch large-scale campaigns globally, accelerating the societal transition toward zero marine debris.
We will quantitatively assess our progress and focus resources on areas not meeting targets.
We will operate a circular model that covers everything from waste reduction to collection to resource recovery.
We will deepen collaboration with international goals, driving the final push to leave clean oceans for future generations.
2050 – Striving for Global Marine Debris Offset
Working collaboratively with the world, we will achieve the collection of over 8 million tons of debris per year—matching or surpassing the amount estimated to flow into the oceans—and elevate the concept of marine debris offset to a global standard.
We will establish a framework for humanity at large to collectively reduce the total volume of marine debris, providing a long-term vision for protecting the oceans and preserving their safety and abundance for future generations.
At the same time, by accurately reporting our collection status, we will help prevent new marine debris and contribute to reducing single-use plastic in business practices.
Through these efforts, we will accomplish global annual marine debris offset, achieving “collected amount > inflow amount × years,” continuously drawing down overall marine debris and moving ever closer to a long-term goal of zero.