Oyster/Microplastic Watch Program

The Topsail Aquarium will be establishing the first microplastic watch program in Surf City. As coastal development increases in Surf City, Topsail, and other surrounding coastal towns, all sorts of pollutants are pushed into our waterways. These pollutants directly impact local ecosystem health and in turn the health of NC residents who rely on our waterways for a living. One of the most common pollutants we come across are microplastic which are fragments of 5mm or smaller.

Our watch program

The Topsail Aquarium will be measuring the number of microplastics found in oysters along Surf City and Topsail. Specifically, the number of microplastics in relation to recent coastal development. We project to see a significantly higher number of microplastics per gram of oyster in areas within 500 yards of recent coastal development (<10 years). With this information we aim to spread awareness to loc al Surf City residents, so they have a better idea of where to collect oysters for consumption, avoiding areas with higher microplastic pollutants. If our oysters are healthy, so are we!

Projected finish date: August 2026

What makes oyster so important?

One of the most vital ecosystem health indicators along the East coast are oysters (Crassostrea virginica), these unassuming bivalves are keystone species in Surf City. Oysters are active filter feeders, removing particulates from the water column. This means that those aforementioned microplastics are being uptaken by our oysters, many of which are unable to be expelled. As oysters collect microplastics, and we collect oysters for consumption, local Surf City residents are at risk!