Plastic Free Peninsula is a non-profit founded by teens working to protect the fish and shellfish of Tuckerton, New Jersey from plastic pollution
What does Plastic Free Peninsula do in Tuckerton?
The mission of Plastic Free Peninsula is to reduce the harmful impact of plastic waste on the breeding, sustainability, and consumption of fish and shellfish along New Jersey’s Tuckerton Peninsula. Through the organization of Tuckerton salt marsh clean-ups, the raising of neighborhood awareness of the many forms of plastic pollution, and the support of existing conservation and aquacultural initiatives, Plastic Free Peninsula works to keep the clams of Clamtown clean.
SO WHAT'S THE PROBLEM?
Tuckerton is a historic fishing town on the Jersey Shore whose identity and livelihood have been tied to the rich array of edible marine life within its watershed and off its coast since the 17th century. An analysis of water samples collected by Tuckerton resident Vivian Palmer in 2022 and studied under fluorescent microscopy found evidence of significant levels of microplastic pollution at twelve different locations along Gaunt Point–a salt marsh peninsula marking the convergence of Little Egg Harbor with its sub-bay, Tuckerton Bay. The size of a grain of rice or smaller, microplastics are easily ingested by marine animals, including mollusks like clams, oysters, and scallops that play an integral role in bay filtration and feed directly into the human food chain. (read more)
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HOW DO WE HELP?
Plastic Free Peninsula is the vision of two Philly-area teens who fell hard for Tuckerton when their family stumbled upon it in the fog of the pandemic and decided to make it a second home. Inspired by residents and business owners like Dale Parsons of Parsons Seafood and the Oyster Reef Recovery Project, who have worked for decades to preserve and enrich the health and harvest of Tuckerton waters, Vivian and Henry Palmer wanted to serve the coastal ecosystem too, but in a manner they as teens could measure – one bag of litter at a time!
As the founding hands of PFP, Vivian and Henry are committed to slapping on waders, staving off greenheads, and getting those hands dirty in PFP’s inaugural summer—conducting regular clean-ups of the salt-marsh shores in and around Tuckerton, including the uninhabited coast north of South Green Street, Gaunt Point and Tuckerton Beach, accessible only by watercraft, and that sloping south along Great Bay Boulevard. Check back for updates on what and how much they collect and for plans to expand PFP’s reach through the recruitment of volunteers, once the safety and accessibility of intended service areas are fully assessed.
HOW YOU CAN HELP US
Plastic Free Peninsula relies on the knowledge of neighbors and community stake-holders to keep Clamtown clean. If you know of any areas, either along or off the shores of greater Tuckerton, that are in need of plastic litter remediation, please contact us at [email protected]. We will get there and get to work! We are also delighted to serve Tuckerton residents and business owners living near the water who may require assistance in keeping their properties plastic free. While we are a low-cost operation at the outset, we are a recognized 501(c)(3) organization. We will happily apply any tax-deductible donations towards the purchase of workwear, collection tools and materials, and additional trash and recycling receptacles we are working with the Borough to place. Gifts of any size are greatly appreciated and may be made through the following link:
In a world with more and more trash . . .We think inside the shell
