VENICE, Calif. – Kolossal is a Venice nonprofit that has implemented one of the first underwater drones ever made.

“Its super easy to use, quite literally plug and play…so you just turn these knobs over here," said Matt Mulrennan, founder of Kolossal, an ocean exploration and conservation group. 

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Mulrennan and his group received a grant from National Geographic for the drone.

Recently, they deployed the drone to explore under the Venice Pier to try to document plastic pollution, as well as assess the marine life living under the pier.

Established in 2016, the grassroots organization wants to show that ocean exploration isn’t exclusively reserved for the select few.

The oceans are the lifeblood of Earth, and the Pacific Ocean is the largest living feature on our planet. It covers more than 70 percent of the planet's surface, drives weather, regulates temperatures, and ultimately, supports all living organisms.

As disruptors of traditional models of research, Kolossal hopes to inspire others to protect the oceans. They recently finished a short film aimed at raising awareness of two state bills focused on reducing waste.

“Groups like Kolossal are out there raising awareness, I hate to say it but at the end of the day, legislators, members of congress only act when there is strong public galvanization, half the time," said California State Senator Ben Allen. "I hate to say it but it really does take popular public pressure to push our leaders to do what is necessary.”

So what have they found?

“These piers are filled with marine life, and unfortunately plastic pollution as well,” Mulrennan said.

With more than 80 percent of the Pacific Ocean still unexplored, the underwater world is literally their oyster and Kolossal is just beginning to uncover what lies beneath.