The North Pacific Gyre and the Pacific Garbage Patch are featured on CNN tonight. The North Pacific Gyre and the Pacific Garbage Patch sections are two times the size of the U.S. mainland.

The Gyre is filled with waste sucked in by currents the run clockwise in between North America and Japan. Mary Crowley is part of a team investigating the Gyre.

She’s been to the area 30 years ago. Today she calls it a “dump”. Her effort, Project Kaisei, seeks to examine the harm of the dump. “The pieces of plastic that get broken down get ingested by sea birds, marine animals and fish” she tells CNN.

Hence the concern is not just the harm to seas but also the ecosystems that dwell within. The Project hopes to return in 2010 to seek more solutions as the Gyre continues to grow. She says many countries are involved in the Project and she hopes all forces can solve the problem together.