Over the past 25 years, efforts to quantify and address garbage patches have intensified. Yet, misconceptions persist about these remote areas, which few have the opportunity to witness firsthand. The scale of the GPGP is often exaggerated, with some envisioning it as a landmass. A study in 2018 estimated that at least 79,000 tons of ocean plastic occupy an area of 1.6 million square kilometers (618,000 square miles) a size equivalent to twice that of Texas or three times that of France. In 2017, a publicity stunt for World Oceans Day contributed to this misconception by proposing to rename the GPGP as "Trash Isles," advocating for its recognition as the world's 196th country. This endeavor, while raising awareness of the plastic crisis, perpetuated myths surrounding the GPGP.

Despite these efforts, the urgency to address garbage patches is dampened by common misconceptions. "Many people remain unaware of the issue, which hinders their engagement in potential solutions," explains Walter Leal, an environmental professor at Manchester Metropolitan University. Without intervention, garbage patches will continue to grow. "In fact, they're expanding as we speak," Leal warns. A conservative estimate suggests a growth rate of 2.5% based on current trends, highlighting the pressing need for action. Plastic pollution in the ocean poses numerous environmental threats, from entangling marine life to being ingested by birds and fish. This pervasive issue has given rise to the "plastisphere," where ecosystems adapt to human-made plastic environments.

Efforts to address garbage patches have been undertaken by organizations like The Ocean Cleanup, founded by Dutch entrepreneur Boyan Slat. Their ambitious endeavor aims to remove 90% of the GPGP's plastic by 2040, utilizing innovative technologies and strategies. While technological solutions hold promise, experts agree that reducing plastic production is paramount in mitigating the proliferation of garbage patches. The upcoming international plastics treaty, slated for negotiation in 2024, offers hope for coordinated global action to tackle plastic pollution at its source. For Captain Moore, the need to curb plastic production is evident. "As plastic production escalates, we move further away from a solution," he emphasizes. "True solutions lie in reducing the volume of plastic being produced."