1. PLASTIC OCEAN PROJECT UNC-Wilmington Chapter
HOPE SPOT: HATTERAS
PLASTIC OCEAN PROJECT UNC-Wilmington Chapter

2. TRASH CAN
STREET
RECYCLING CAN

4. Where did it come from?
How did it get here?

5. Let’s look at the Trail of Trash…

6. Refers to many species of free-floating brown algae.
Sargassum
Refers to many species of free-floating brown algae.
The seaweed has round structures are called pneumatocysts- they hold oxygen and help the sargassum float.
Some species are holopelagic- they reproduce and spend their whole lives at sea!
Can form floating mats that stretch for miles- creating critical habitat for other species.
After losing buoyancy, sunken sargassum provides nutrients to detritivores.

7. Trophic levels
Surface
Pelagic
Ocean Floor

8. “Don’t Judge the Ocean by it’s surface”

9. Surface Pelagic Ocean Floor Nursery Habitat:
Young animals find shelter and food as they grow.
Adaptations: Countershading
Example: Sea turtles

10. Surface Pelagic Ocean Floor Migratory Habitat:
Many animals pass through the sargassum along their migratory routes. The sargassum provides an important feeding pit-stop on these long journeys!
Adaptations: Speed!
Examples: Tuna

11. Surface Pelagic Ocean Floor Spawning Habitat:
Animals use the sargassum as a meet-up location for breeding.
Adaptations: Magnetic Navigation
Example: Eels

12. SARGASSO SEA North Atlantic Current Gulf Stream Canary Current
North Equatorial Current

13. Power of currents
Adrift.org.au

14. Stormwater
“Stormwater runoff is generated from rain and snowmelt events that flow over land or impervious surfaces, such as paved streets, parking lots, and building rooftops, and does not soak into the ground.”
“The runoff picks up pollutants like trash, chemicals, oils, and dirt/sediment that can harm our rivers, streams, lakes, and coastal waters.” –EPA (Environmental Protection Agency)

15. STORMWATER DOES NOT GET TREATED!
It goes directly into local waterways!

17. Managing stormwater
Community Involvement!

18. Say No To…

19. SAY YES TO…

20. Impacts of Plastics in our ocean Matching activity

21. WHAT IS HOPE SPOT: HATTERAS?
WHY IS IT IMPORTANT?

22. Hope Spots are areas in the ocean that are important for MARINE life
Hope Spots are areas in the ocean that are important for MARINE life. The Sylvia Earle Alliance and Mission Blue have worked to create dozens of Hope Spots all over the ocean. Through intense advocacy and awareness efforts in these unique places, they fight to create formally protected marine protected areas.

23. WHY CAPE HATTERAS?

24. Home to over 81 pelagic fish species and 5 sea turtle species!
40 miles from the continental slope- making it the closest landmass to the slope!
Home to over 81 pelagic fish species and 5 sea turtle species!
High flux of nutrients from 3 converging currents in the area makes for great biodiversity!
Global sea level rise, dumping of marine debris, and possible off-shoring drilling are hazards to this unique area!

25. Plastic Ocean Project Involvement
We are a group of students, researchers, community members, artists, entrepreneurs, and ocean loving people passionate about protecting the marine environment for our generation and future generations.

26. Plastics to Oil Project
Film Screenings
Off-shore Research
Re-Purposing

27. What you can do! Sign the petition at www.hopespothatteras.org
Spread the word about the beauty and vibrancy of Hatteras!
Share the petition for Hope Spot: Hatteras on social media!
Bonnie Monteleone with Dr. Sylvia Earle

28. Thank you! And Remember… “No water No life. No blue No green.”
-sylvia earle