NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher Draws Attention to Plastic Pollution with Juliette the Jellyfish

Weighing in at nearly 250 pounds and reaching 20 feet tall, Juliette the Jellyfish is a junk-filled sculpture that is hard to miss in the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher (NCAFF) conservatory. Sculptor Jill Pitko and Girl Scout Troop 2143 out of Cedar Point North Carolina created Juliette to raise awareness of plastics in the ocean. The troop upcycled plastic milk jugs, juice containers, egg trays, food packaging, water bottles and bags. The massive invertebrate is thought provoking and at times, unsettling.

The North Carolina Aquariums are a division of the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.The mission of the Aquarium is to inspire appreciation and conservation of our aquatic environments. Juliette literally embodies the Aquarium's focus on creating conservation action around eliminating or refusing single-use plastic.

"Single-use plastic is everywhere and there are many opportunities to pause a moment to find an alternative or simply refuse to buy overly packaged products," said Keely Beard, NCAFF green team member. "Juliette is a welcome exhibit at the Aquarium, drawing attention to both the extreme magnitude of plastic pollution and the inspirational work of the next generation to do something about it."

Juliette is a masterpiece in the upcycling genre. The net and long tentacles are woven out of plastic bags and food packaging.

"The giant sea creature captures pollution from our oceans to bring awareness of limiting single-use plastics and protecting ocean animals affected by them through ingestion and entanglement," said Pitko.

Juliette's residency at the Aquarium will run through the end of the year and is included with an Aquarium visit. Online tickets are required to visit the Aquarium at NCAFF Tickets.

About the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher
The North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher is just south of Kure Beach, a short drive from Wilmington on U.S. 421 and less than a mile from the Fort Fisher ferry terminal. The Aquarium is one of three Aquariums and a pier that make up the North Carolina Aquariums, a division of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. The mission of the Aquarium is to inspire appreciation and conservation of our aquatic environments. The Aquarium features a 235-000-gallon sand tiger shark habitat, an albino alligator, a bald eagle, a loggerhead sea turtle habitat and two families of mischievous Asian small-clawed otters.

Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Admission: $15 ages 13-61; $13 children ages 3-12; $14 seniors (62 and older) and military with valid identification; NC EBT card holders: $3. Free admission for children 2 and younger and N.C. Aquarium Society members and N.C. Zoo members. *EBT rate is applicable to a maximum of four tickets.

About the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources
The N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR) manages, promotes, and enhances the things that people love about North Carolina - its diverse arts and culture, rich history, and spectacular natural areas. Through its programs, the department enhances education, stimulates economic development, improves public health, expands accessibility, and strengthens community resiliency.