The authorities
The Maluku Province and the City of Ambon coordinate permits, vessel mooring, and waste treatment.
Collection starting 02/2027Awareness campaign underwayIndonesia, Moluccas
Ambon: A Bay at the Core of Indonesia's National Strategy
Alongside LPMK and the Indonesian government, the Mobula 10 will collect plastic waste from Ambon Bay. In parallel, we will conduct a 3-year scientific study on mangroves and deploy our awareness programme across all schools on the island.
Start of collection
February 2027, for 3 years
Vessel
Mobula 10
Local partner
LPMK
National framework
Sebasah Programme
Expedition progress: preparation nearly complete
Updated on 14.10.2026
Preparation, underway
08/2025 to 01/2027: national agreements, permits, crew recruitment, school awareness campaigns.
Collection
Starting 02/2027, for 3 years: collection 5 days a week, scientific monitoring with BRIN.
Handover
The Mobula 10 remains an Indonesian public asset, operated by our local partners.
Even before the first collection
An expedition already in action
The initial results of the preparation phase, as of 11.09.2026.
948
students reached by awareness sessions in 6 schools around the bay
1st
international organisation partnered with the national Sebasah programme
4
collection zones defined with the national research agency BRIN
The reality
A bay where plastic accumulates
Situated between an almost enclosed inner bay and an opening to the Banda Sea, Ambon concentrates plastic waste carried by rivers, rainfall, and urban activities.
Preserving this marine ecosystem is now a priority for local authorities, who are actively mobilised to sustainably curb pollution.
In 03/2026, our ambassador Louis Margot (Human Impulse) made a stopover in Ambon and documented the condition of the bay's beaches and rivers.
Louis Margot (Human Impulse) in Ambon Bay, in 03/2026. © Human Impulse and The SeaCleaners
National recognition
A project championed by the Indonesian state
In less than a year, the expedition grew from a local initiative into a public programme recognised at the highest level.
Agreement with the Ministry
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed with the Indonesian Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries establishes our 3-year programme in Ambon, whose progress is now monitored quarterly at the national level.
Sebasah Programme
“A Healthy, Waste-Free Sea”: the national plan launched on 06.08.2025, from source to sea. Our timeline aligns with it through 2029.
ADUPI
The Indonesian plastics recycling association represents us before national authorities.
BRIN, the science
In partnership with the national research agency: mapping accumulation zones, analysing plastics, and monitoring mangroves and reefs.
On the ground
An expedition driven by Ambon
The Governor of the Moluccas and the Mayor of Ambon support the project. On-site, our partner LPMK will operate the vessel with a local crew.
LPMK
Our local partner since 10/2025, bringing over 20 years of experience in coastal management and community development.
Local recycling
The MLA facility in Hutumuri, Ambon's only plastic recycling plant, alongside waste banks such as Ambon Hijau.
Acting at the source
Raising awareness among schools and families
The Mobula 10 will intercept waste in the bay. To prevent it from reaching the water in the first place, we also take action on land, right where it originates.
6 schools, ages 6 to 18
Age-tailored modules evaluated before and after each session: 948 students already reached across 8 sessions.
2 women's groups
Along the Waitomu River and at the Ambon market: waste sorting, composting, household waste reduction, from 09/2026 to 12/2026.
Key milestones
The expedition logbook
06.08.2025
Launch of the national Sebasah programme by the Ministry.
11/2025
Missions to Jakarta and then Ambon, meetings with the Governor and the Mayor.
05/2026
Signing of the Mobula 10 donation agreement with the Ministry.
07 to 09/2026
Initial sessions in schools: 948 students reached.
Early 2027
Arrival of the Mobula 10, inauguration, and first collections.
In full transparency: donating a vessel to an Indonesian ministry involves extensive administrative processes across multiple ministries and customs. While this delayed the launch, it guarantees lasting action embedded in public policy.
In pictures
Plastic in Ambon Bay
Support our expeditions
After Ambon: The Philippines
We only launch an expedition once it is fully funded, and Ambon is. We are already preparing the next one in the Philippines. Your donations today will make it possible.
How your donations are used
- Construction of the next Mobula and its transport
- The local crew and all operating costs related to collection for 3 years
- Sorting and recycling of collected waste
- Raising awareness in schools and coastal communities
Our accounts are audited annually by BDO and our reports are publicly accessible.
Our other expeditions
Other places, the same approach
Pilot expedition, completed
Bali, Indonesia
03/2023 to 01/2024, Mobula 8
30,000 kg
of waste collected, including clean-ups
Our first expedition, studied with Udayana University.
Discover the expedition ›
In progress
Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia
04/2025 to 04/2028, Mobula 8.2
157,934
waste items removed in the first year
With Marine Research Foundation, 7 days a week, and soon the BeBot on beaches.
Discover the expedition ›Coming soon
Philippines
Our next expedition
Join us!
We are looking for a local partner, support from authorities, and patrons to launch this 3-year expedition.
Discover the expedition ›
