Broadcaster and Marine Conservationist, Monty Halls, has joined forces with the charity arm of global expedition cruise operator, HX Expeditions, to empower people and communities of all ages to participate in simple, impactful actions that protect local beaches, rivers and waterways.
The Big Blue Bag contains four easy-to-follow conservation protocols, allowing users on the ground to collect vital data on marine health including microplastic pollution, species biodiversity, water temperature, and coastal debris.
Following each individual protocol, data can be uploaded to a global, open-access database through Coreo, a specialised app launched May 2o025. The app allows users to contribute to vital research that can then inform conservation efforts in the future and is open to all.
Each HX ship will also carry a Big Blue Bag from this summer, allowing passengers to take part in protocols from the North to the South poles and the over 250 destinations they sail to.
Founder Monty Halls said, “This initiative is about inspiring and educating people, especially the younger generation, to become actively involved in tackling marine environmental issues. 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.”
The Big Blue Bag initiative received funding from the HX Foundation, which offers grant funding to global conservation and plastic pollution projects twice a year. Over 1.68 million EUR have been given in donations since the Foundation started in 2015, which continues to make a positive impact worldwide.
Gebhard Rainer, CEO of HX and President of the HX Foundation said, “We are incredibly proud to collaborate with Monty on The Big Blue Bag project. One of our Foundation’s missions is to support projects that help educate and raise awareness about our vital yet vulnerable ecosystems. 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”.
Janet Marshall, Chair of the Clean Coast Outer Hebrides, the first to receive a free Big Blue Bag said, “Our islands have some of the most beautiful beaches in the world, and our amazing volunteers work really hard to keep them that way. With the Big Blue Bag, we have accessible tools to discover and share more data about the environmental consequences of plastics coming into our shores and make an even bigger difference.”
