Plastic Ocean Project to Reveal Findings from Recent Bermuda Expedition at 3rd Annual For the Ocean Gala

Plastic Ocean Project to Reveal Findings from Recent Bermuda Expedition at 3rd Annual For the Ocean Gala

WILMINGTON, NC-April 29, 2024-Local nonprofit, Plastic Ocean Project, aka POP, returned this month from a 10-day research expedition in the North Atlantic Ocean leaving from Bermuda. POP’s expedition team included 3 staff members, 2 UNCW students and 1 high school student. They were aboard the R/V Atlantic Explorer, a 171-foot-long UNOL research vessel. This project was in conjunction with Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute’s Ocean Flux Program, the longest running open ocean research in the world. This was the fifth year POP has collaborated with this program, sampling over 700 miles off the coast of North Carolina collecting micro plastics using a surface sampling device.

POP’s director, Bonnie Monteleone explained, “When it comes to plastic debris in the ocean, there are assumptions that ocean plastics are unique to the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. However, in our research in the North Atlantic Ocean gyre revealed serious accumulations of plastic in a marine nursery detrimental to fish stocks, marine mammals, and sea turtles. This is a worldwide problem which affects us all. POP actively seeks solutions and collaborates with environmental scientists and marine biologists around the globe.

Details and footage from the trip will be showcased at the nonprofit’s upcoming “For the Ocean Gala” which will be this Saturday evening, May 4th from 7-10:30pm at the Aloft Wilmington at Coastline Center. WECT-TV6 anchor, Jon Evans is the official emcee. Attendees can look forward to a cocktail hour, a live and silent auction, hors d’oeuvres and dessert. Organizers from the upcoming Trash’n Fash’n show will preview a few designs and NYC DJ Chesco FiFi aka, “The Sicilianaire,” will end the night with a “downtown dance party.” Proceeds from the gala help fund the nonprofit’s initiatives, which include its Trees4Trash program, free internships for college and high school students, Ocean Friendly Establishments, educational outreach, research and its documentary film projects. POP’s short film, 356, which was filmed off the NC coast has now been accepted into 16 film festivals, including several international ones.