Lost Teddy! Fluffy piece?
Here’s an item that is shared for the purposes of lightness and connection. Because, let’s face it, there’s enough dark and heavy out there. Also, maybe, just maybe it will create an opportunity for awareness about marine debris?
See the image below. Could this be the world’s saddest Teddy?
Lost Teddy! Wouldn’t it be remarkable to find out how, where and when s/he ended up in the Ocean?
My dive buddy, Natasha Dickinson, found him/her at bottom of the Ocean in Port Hardy on January 1st. Unlike so much of the debris near the dock, it is unlikely this little guy was mindlessly tossed away (see photos below).
Wouldn’t it be something to find its home and know its story? Would it enhance a sense of connection? Would the story be a catalyst to discussion, engagement and action about the insult to our Oceans that is marine debris?
Via Facebook and Twitter this information is being shared with “#LostTeddy”.
S/he has also been posted on the international Lost Teddy site (yes, there is such a thing).
Teddy is now being cleaned up for potential reuniting with humans.
Update: January 3, 2016 – It’s not a Teddy. I got this clue from that Teddy locating site”That’s Ginger Bell, originally sold by Sears in 2004! Brenda.” Sure enough – looked up a photo and, it’s Ginger Bell.
Photos below show some of the beauty striving to survive among the debris under the Seagate Dock in Port Hardy (the dive where Teddy was found). This “scene” is representative of most docks on our Coast and I am striving to raise awareness about marine debris and how, to me, this is the most stark indicator of the disconnect about the importance of the Ocean to human health. We are all vastly empowered to create positive change, not only by ensuring there is less physical pollution (litter) but by reducing use of carbon and chemicals such as pesticides (thereby reducing temperature change, acidification, toxins); and increasing knowledge and engagement about the importance, beauty and fragility of our Ocean. Reality is, what we do to the Ocean we ultimately . . . do to ourselves.
Shopping carts and plastic . . and anemones. Photo by dive buddy Alexandra Spicer.
Northern Kelp Crabs and Rose Anemone atop a big chunk of plastic. ©Jackie Hildering
Plumose Anemones just under the surface, just above the debris. ©Jackie Hildering; themarinedetective.ca.
Hooded Nudibranch on Eelgrass just under the surface near to mounds of debris. @Jackie Hildering.
A striking example of the beauty among the debris – species trying to survive amongst what most often purposely/ carelessly ends up in the Ocean – an egg mass laid by a Pacific Sea Lemon (nudibranch) where each dot can hatch into a larval nudibranch. Next photo, the nudibranch that likely laid the egg mass beside . . . a beer can. ©Jackie Hildering.
Dive buddies and Giant Pink Star. Left, Natasha Dickinson. Right, Alexandra Spicer. ©Jackie Hildering.
The Marine Detective 
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