Last year, we named 4ocean Foundation as our Environmental grant recipient. The $10,000 in funds were allocated for a specific ocean cleanup in Bali, Indonesia. What follows are the details of their successful mission.
Back to the Ocean [Early November]
“After six months of operating around Menjangan Island, our ocean team finally returned to continue cleaning up plastic waste at sea. All cleanup boats were prepared and ready to operate again as the wind direction began to shift. Around this time of year, we enter the rainy season — a period when ocean currents often bring large amounts of waste from unknown sources. Some of this trash is believed to come from Java or other coastal areas of Bali, gathering in certain current lines we call “pelarusan.”
As usual, the team divided tasks to efficiently locate waste in the open sea. The group decided to head west, where debris is often found. We discovered a large concentration of floating waste near Melaya waters, roughly two kilometers from shore. Without delay, everyone got to work, collecting and sorting the debris from the water surface.”
“The waste collected during this cleanup consisted mostly of household plastics such as water bottles, food packaging, plastic bags, and pieces of styrofoam. In addition, several large logs and branches were found, likely carried out to sea by strong river currents following heavy rains in recent weeks.
Wood debris dominated certain areas, slowing down the sorting process onboard. Despite that, the crew successfully separated most of the plastic waste from the wood without major difficulty. Based on observations in the Melaya waters, there has been a noticeable increase in floating waste compared to the previous weeks, marking the beginning of the west monsoon season.
All crew members expressed their happiness to be back working at sea after several months stationed around Menjangan Island. They understood that the arrival of the rainy season means a sharp increase in ocean waste, but it is also the most crucial time to keep the sea clean.
Although the fieldwork was quite challenging due to the large amount of wood mixed with plastic debris, the entire crew worked with great spirit and teamwork to ensure the cleanup ran smoothly and safely. For the team, this activity is more than just a routine — it’s a responsibility to keep the ocean a livable place for all marine life.”
Dugong + Beach Team Collaboration [Late November]
“Upon arriving at Penginuman Beach, the Dugong team anchored their boat right in the cleanup area. Here, it was evident that the meeting between the sea team and the beach team was a very rare moment.
All team members were working joyfully because they could unite to clean the beach from the overwhelming amount of plastic waste. They helped each other, lifted debris together, and worked without hesitation to keep the beach and ocean clean and safe for marine life. The work energy today felt more alive because everyone moved with the same purpose and the same spirit.”
“The activity also opened our eyes to the fact that fieldwork like this is not just about picking up trash and being done. There is a sense of satisfaction that comes from seeing a shoreline that was once full of plastic become cleaner after all the teams worked together. Even though more trash will likely arrive in the future as the western currents continue to move, at least today we know that what we did truly produced visible results. Everyone went home with clothes full of sand and sweat, but behind the exhaustion there was a sense of pride because we knew the beach could breathe a little easier than when we first arrived.”
Marine Team Response to Seasonal Waste Patterns & Field Testing of Sotok Bamboo [Early December]
“The marine team began operations by surveying open waters using the Dugong vessel, despite increasingly rough wave conditions. The route followed was a routine path known as a seasonal waste accumulation zone influenced by ocean currents. However, throughout the journey, the team observed a significant change in sea conditions. Unstable currents and shifting winds disrupted the usual waste concentration patterns, resulting in the absence of expected floating debris clusters offshore.
During four hours of monitoring, only scattered pieces of waste were found, spread across a wide area with no clear accumulation point. Based on field experience, this condition strongly indicated that the main body of waste had likely been pushed toward the shoreline. This assessment prompted the team to immediately adjust their route toward the nearest coastal area to verify the situation directly.
Upon reaching shallow waters, the team’s assumption was confirmed. Large volumes of waste had already reached the shoreline. Some debris was still floating near the surface, while the rest had been washed ashore and stranded on the sand due to strong winds and waves. At this stage, swift action was critical, as floating waste still carried the risk of being pulled back into the sea if not promptly removed.”
“The full team was then deployed under the coordination of Jarwo and Wahyudi. Tasks were divided into two groups: the first group, consisting of six members, focused on removing waste still in the water using a specialized tool known as Sotok Bamboo; the second group concentrated on cleaning up waste that had accumulated on land. This dual-line approach significantly improved operational efficiency and ensured that no waste returned to the ocean.
Sotok Bamboo is an internal innovation developed by the marine team, based on an idea from Mr. Imron and inspired by traditional tools used by local fishermen to collect vannamei shrimp larvae. Despite its simple design, the tool proved highly effective in shallow-water operations. Its lightweight yet sturdy frame allows operators to lift submerged waste without disturbing sediment, while its extended reach enables rapid collection before incoming waves. Field testing demonstrated that Sotok Bamboo accelerates the cleanup process and reduces the risk of waste re-entering the sea, making it a reliable tool in daily marine operations.”
In the period between November – December, 2025, this project removed 213,428 lbs. of ocean debris.
For reference, that volume of debris is equal to approximately 7 million single-use plastic bottles.
Note: This reporting includes 53 targeted missions. December operations were intermittently affected by severe winter weather, during which one fleet unit required unplanned maintenance and weather-related repairs, resulting in fewer deployment days. Despite these temporary constraints, the Jembrana fleet removed 213,428 pounds of plastic and trash, representing a 5.66% increase in total recovery achieved with fewer missions and demonstrating improvements in operational efficiency over the pilot phase in early 2025.
In addition to the reduction of pollution, the project provided consistent work for 100 local captains and crews, strengthening the surrounding communities.
At The White Feather Foundation, we’re grateful to our partners at 4Ocean Foundation for providing full transparency and meticulous reports on their field team’s results. We’re also thankful to our TWFF members of The Desert Bloom who give to The Environment on a monthly basis and all of our one-time donors who contributed to this specific campaign.
If you’d like to give to support future projects that help The Environment, start here.
To learn more about our partners at 4ocean Foundation, visit their website.
All photos courtesy of 4Ocean Foundation.
So nice to hear some good news! It’s great to see people working together to respect the Earth.