My Time in the Lab

Have you ever wondered what happens to those plastic bottles and bags you see on the side of the road while you’re driving? Or have you asked yourself how these items can possibly harm a sea turtle or a fish? This summer in the lab, I am researching these questions and more. My name is Katie Veasey, I am a rising junior at Hamilton College majoring in Environmental Studies, and I became interested in the plastic pollution epidemic at a young age, by participating in COA's Beach Sweeps. As COA’s Marine Science Intern, I will be applying my knowledge of environmental science and chemistry to help determine how much plastic is out there that we are not seeing and the detrimental impacts it has on our marine environment.

Once we discard our plastic, we don't think twice about it. Unfortunately, it never really goes away - whether it's in a landfill, the ocean, or in the stomach of a whale, plastic does not biodegrade. Rather, it photodegrades when it is in the environment. When the plastic is exposed to the sun's rays and is agitated from water movement, it breaks down into smaller and smaller pieces that fish and other marine animals can collect and then consume. Other than being harmful to marine life by being confused as food, plastics carry high concentrations of toxic chemicals called Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) (Frias et al. 2010). These include PCBs, DDTs, and flame retardants- in other words, not anything you want in your food.

 Clean Ocean Action has launched a research initiative to quantify the presence and abundance of these plastics at our beaches along the Jersey Shore. From Sandy Hook to Cape May, we are analyzing sand and water samples, looking for microplastics polluting these ecologically important areas. Further steps in the study include assessing visible microplastics along the coast and documenting microplastics in New Jersey’s low-trophic level coastal fishes, while promoting citizen action. As COA's Marine Science Intern, I am working on analyzing the samples that have already been processed and helping to process the remaining sand samples. I will be working with the Principal Investigators of this study, Catie Tobin of Clean Ocean Action, Beth Sharack of National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and Marine Academy of Science and Technology (MAST) seniors Bobby McLaughlin and Nicolette Runko throughout the summer.

 Follow my blog series throughout the summer for updates from the lab as we discover these microplastics!

Click here for the full overview of our research project: http://cleanoceanaction.org/index.php?id=824

A Heartwarming Internship Reflection from Boston University-Bound Gianna Fischer

Beach Sweeps Intern - Gianna Fischer

From Left to Right: International Intern Axelle Allain, Beach Sweeps
Intern Gianna Fischer, and COAST Intern Macailagh McCue out at sea!

"The closing of this week brings the end of my internship at Clean Ocean Action. My experience with COA these past 4 months has been beyond anything I could have imagined. My time here has not only provided me with an entirely new understanding of some of the issues that trouble coastal communities, but also with an entirely new network of remarkably dedicated and driven people who will continue to inspire me with their passion and intelligence for years to come.

I have had the pleasure of working with the data from this past April’s sweeps, gaining a greater understanding of the pollution that litters New Jersey beaches. I have also had the opportunity to attend a variety of events, such as COA’s bi-annual Student Summit, the annual Back to the Beach Event, press conferences (on the beach!) and environmental rallies.

One of the biggest projects I worked on this summer was the Corporate Beach Sweep Program. I worked with Chelsea and Zach to schedule and run Corporate Sweeps. Working with companies who were dedicated to bettering their communities was wonderful. The people that I met while working with the businesses inspired me to continue to work for a cleaner and better-protected ocean.

Perhaps the most valuable lesson I learned this summer is this: There is no community more closely knit than one who joins together to make the world a better place. My coworkers at Clean Ocean Action have taught me indispensible lessons and have made this internship an experience that I will never forget. I am honored to have worked with a group of such passionate and driven people for an organization that stands up for what is right, regardless of how daunting the fight."

Gianna will enter Boston University’s class of 2017 this fall as a Communications major and intends to pursue a second degree in Marine Biology.

Restore the Shore Intern Reflects on Her Experience with COA

Restore the Shore Intern - Jaime Frungillo

"Unfortunately, my internship with Clean Ocean Action has come to a close. My time spent here has allowed me to apply my background knowledge of marine sciences and research to current coastal issues present in New Jersey and New York.

Most of my work has focused on reviewing and analyzing NJDEP’s water quality data with respect to current and proposed EPA criteria as well as investigating the Floatables Action Plan implementation and reviewing EPA’s surveillance flights data. This work helped with my review of Rutgers University’s Barnegat Bay nutrient study. I have also helped with the 2012 Annual Review.

Through my help with writing scoping comments for the Draft EIS to be completed for Liberty’s proposed Liquefied Natural Gas Port, COA has taught me about liquefied natural gas and energy issues. Although I did not get to participate in many Corporate Sweeps, the two I participated in taught me about New York and New Jersey’s combined sewage system, the ecology and oceanography of the NY Bight, and the decomposition of different materials found on our beaches. The Corporate Sweeps present a great way to get involved with making our beaches cleaner while still learning about the environment. At every Corporate Sweep, I learned something new. It is a great outreach activity and I encourage everyone to get involved!

I am very grateful for the opportunity to have interned with Clean Ocean Action this summer and will bring more knowledge and experience with me back to school in the fall." 

Jaime will complete her Masters in Environmental Management at the Nicholas School of the Environment at Duke University In May 2014.

Biologist Brings Her Knowledge to the COA Team

Catie Tobin - Quinnipiac University Class of 2013 - Ocean Advocacy and Education Fellow

My love for science far surpasses any set boundaries. Spending my summers at the Jersey Shore fostered the love I have for the marine environment. Because of this, I developed a strong desire to learn all that I could about this particular environment and thus protect it. Through the course of my studies in both high school and college, I began to better understand the interplay that exists between all organisms and how one change can greatly impact their environment. It was because of this that I decided to major in biology at Quinnipiac University and minor in chemistry, Spanish, and microbiology.

As an undergraduate at Quinnipiac University, my ultimate goal was intertwining my love for advocacy and science, specifically marine biology. Serving as Vice President of the Class of 2013 for my junior and senior year, I learned the importance of reaching out to my peers to learn their opinions and advocate on behalf of them. As a co-leader for my biology research team, I studied the environmental impacts of pollutants, BBP and acetone, on a local fish species. I also was fortunate enough to intern at the Dolphin Communication Project in Stonington, CT where I researched the social behavior and acoustic interchange between a dolphin species under the guidance of Dr. Kathleen Dudzinski. With my love for science and advocacy evident, the Clean Ocean Action allows me to link the two in order to protect the environment that I have so dutifully studied.

In the future, I would love to further my education and obtain my PhD in Marine Biology and Marine Policy. Clean Ocean Action will provide me with the opportunities to continue my learning and support me in my future endeavors. 

Marine Scientist Turned Ocean Advocate

Jaime Frungillo -- Duke University Class of 2014 -- Restore the Shore Intern

Since I was a child, I loved spending time in the water and learning about the ocean and its marine life. My love for it led me to receive a BA in Marine Science at Boston University. Although I have studied marine science since I was eighteen, I have never directly contributed to marine conservation. As a New Jersey native, it is particularly important for me to research the environmental impacts of Superstorm Sandy, as well as educate others about our oceans and how to conserve them. The Restore the Shore Internship with Clean Ocean Action presents an opportunity for me to use my knowledge of marine science, gain valuable experience with public policy and citizen action, and directly participate in Beach Sweeps to remove trash from our beaches.

Currently, I am a first-year Master’s student at Duke University with a concentration in Coastal Environmental Management. Through my coursework and past work experiences, I have training in water quality, marine conservation, and education. I have taken courses in Marine Biogeochemistry and Environmental Toxicology to help understand where pollutants come from, how they end up in the water, and their environmental and social impacts. My time at Duke University has introduced me to public policy, taught me how to promote citizen participation in resource protection, and how to create unique solutions to environmental conflicts. I am happy to join COA in its efforts to raise environmental awareness and to help recovery, restoration, and rebuilding of the New Jersey and New York beaches. 

Superfund Advocate and Hartwick College Grad Joins Clean Ocean Action's Summer Crew

Rebecka Flynn - Cornell University Class of 2014 - Science and Policy Intern

Since I can remember I was always within nature, be it from riding horses competitively, swimming outside, playing softball, going to summer camps; I was always involved with nature in some manner, and it lead to me being very protective of the environment. I would constantly see housing developments built around my house, until finally the mountain that my town is at the foot of was no longer woods filled with wildlife, but instead of filled with townhouses and paved roads. Around this time I became involved more with the environmental movement, and wanting to see it protected and allowed to flourish. I also come from a town, Middlesex, NJ, which has a two superfund sites, one of which is a nuclear site related to the Manhattan project.  The fact that this site was still not cleaned up despite it being from the 1940’s, angered me, and waked something in me that wanted to advocate for the people and give them a voice.

Currently I am in a Masters of Public Administration program at Cornell University with a focus on Environmental Policy. For my undergraduate degrees I went to Hartwick College in Oneonta, NY.  While at Hartwick, I also was the President of the Environmental club on campus, Grassroots, and was on the student-faculty committee dedicated to environmental sustainability and programming on campus.

I wanted to intern at Clean Ocean Action because of the dedication the organization has to ensuring that there are clean oceans for current and future generations. Here at Clean Ocean Action, I am the Science and Policy Research Intern. I am writing position papers for Clean Ocean Action on several different issues ranging from dredging to LNG to clean beaches.   It is something I am passionate about and am excited to come to work every day to help in Clean Ocean Action’s fight against ocean pollution. 

Boston University Bound Student Joins the COAlition

Gianna Fischer- Middletown High School South- Class of 2013

In just a few short weeks as a summer intern at Clean Ocean Action, I have learned so much about some of the most pressing environmental issues that we face on the East Coast. As a high school student, I attended the Marine Academy of Science and Technology for two years, and Middletown High School South for the remaining two years. It was at M.A.S.T. that I discovered my passion for marine science, and since then I have decided to pursue a degree in Communications and Business with a minor in Environmental Studies as a college student at Boston University next year.

It is a dream for me to be able to combine two things I am extremely passionate about: my love for communications and my love for the environment. I believe that many of the world’s problems stem from lack of communication or miscommunication. I think that one of the main issues that should be addressed is lack of knowledge about everyday environmental issues. How can people be expected to put an end to pressing issues, such as ocean pollution, if they do not know how it starts or what the best way to handle it is?

After I graduate college, I hope to become a Public Relations manager. What I mostly look forward to is being able to communicate my knowledge of the environment with some of my clients, with the intention of spreading the word on environmental issues and steps that can be taken to eventually put an end to pollution and other areas of environmental concern.