The waters off First Landing State Park, located on the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay at the Atlantic Ocean,are a major feeding ground for sea turtles. However, First Landing’s location near a major shipping channel in a very populated area make finding marine debris very easy for these turtles. Turtles, who eat jellyfish, often eat plastic bags and broken balloons because the feel the same as jellyfish in the water—dying for the mistake.
In order to help educate the public about the hazards of marine debris and litter, students from the Beach Club at First Colonial High School have presented First Landing State Park with an educational exhibit to be placed in theChesapeake Bay Center.
The “Balloon Turtle” helps show how balloons, plastic bags, and other litter can harm the turtles. Visitors are encouraged to sign a plege cards to stop littering and to pick up marine debris.
This year’s annual “Clean the Bay Day” is Saturday, June 7, 2009 from 9am-12pm. Pre-registration is not required. For more information check http://www.epa.gov/owow/oceans/debris/moreinfo.html