The results
Every year, hundreds of volunteers collect, sort, and quantify the waste that pollutes our aquatic environments. This vital civic engagement is essential—without it, none of this would be possible—and it allows us to build a valuable database that helps us better understand and combat water pollution.
Find all of our results, reports, and annual summaries here: a concrete reflection of what human dedication to the ocean can achieve.
You’ll find the data for the current year here.
Number of collections
This figure reflects the collective efforts made to combat pollution and protect the ocean.
All of this serves as proof that it is possible to take action, each in our own way, and contribute to a shared effort.
228
organized collections
70
Collection drives with data tracking
Number of measurements
Quantifying a problem makes its scale visible.
This data is essential for taking more effective action and amplifying our impact on the ground.
It is a key tool for taking targeted and effective action.
Number of participants
The number of participants demonstrates the scale of the mobilization.
A strong message: the fight against pollution resonates widely and brings people together.
So many committed individuals, ready to take action.
These figures are based on surveys that included quantitative data.
2431
Participants
The Top 10 Types of Waste
Pêche : cordes, cordelettes (Ø < 1cm
Plastic fragments, 2.5–50 cm
Cigarette butts
Polystyrene fragments, 2.5–50 cm
Shellfish farming waste
Bottle caps
Plastic bags and fragments
Food packaging
Snack and candy packaging
Wipes
RETRACE!
Adaptation of the European OSPAR Protocol
The protocol used for RETRACE! surveys is directly based on the European OSPAR protocol, thereby ensuring that all collected data is fully standardized and, above all, comparable across Europe.
The OSPAR surveys, which are based on the Oslo and Paris Conventions on the protection of the marine environment, enable the collection of data on marine litter using a standardized protocol across Europe. This rigorous methodology ensures the consistency and reliability of the data collected in all participating countries.
The data collected under this protocol are directly fed into national and European databases for monitoring macro-debris, particularly within the framework of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD).
By adopting this European standard, RETRACE! ensures that each collection organized contributes effectively to continental environmental monitoring and European policy decisions.
GO FURTHER
Become an OSPAR monitoring referent
Would you like to deepen your commitment to protecting the ocean beyond RETRACE! collections?
Surfrider invites you to take it one step further by becoming a year-round scientific monitoring participant.
For participants interested in taking their involvement to the next level, we offer specialized training courses that will enable you to fully master the European OSPAR protocol. This training will equip you with the skills needed to conduct a rigorous monitoring program throughout the entire year.