Barnacle-encrusted dolls, a message in a bottle, and a giant mermaid: Photos show the bizarre beach debris headed to auction in Texas

Gabbi ShawMay 19, 2023, 20:44 IST

One of the baby dolls that washed up.Jace Tunnell/Mission-Aransas National Estuarine Research Reserve

Every year, the Mission-Aransas Reserve in Texas holds an auction to sell debris found on its beaches.
Everything from creepy baby dolls — so many creepy baby dolls — to mermaids and glass bottles wash up.

You might have heard about the absurd number of dolls that washed up on a Texas beach last year.

And, in case you're concerned about what happens to them, don't worry — they'll soon be finding homes.

Once again, the Mission-Aransas Reserve is auctioning off the dolls and other debris found along its 40-mile stretch of beach. This year's auction will take place on Saturday, May 20.

Here's what's for sale this year, from a message in a bottle and a giant mermaid to multiple baby dolls covered in barnacles.

Every year, the Mission-Aransas Reserve in Port Aransas, Texas, auctions off debris that washes up on its beach to raise funds.

A mask.Jace Tunnell/Mission-Aransas National Estuarine Research Reserve

"When we find interesting items during the survey, we bring them back and pile them up for selling in the annual auction to help raise money for the sea turtles," Jace Tunnell, director of the Mission-Aransas Reserve, told the Houston Chronicle.

A baby doll.Jace Tunnell/Mission-Aransas National Estuarine Research Reserve

"When we find interesting items during the survey, we bring them back and pile them up for selling in the annual auction to help raise money for the sea turtles," Jace Tunnell, director of the Mission-Aransas Reserve, told the Houston Chronicle.

You might have heard of this beach before — the baby dolls have previously made the news because they frequently wash up along the shore.

One of the baby dolls that washed up.Jace Tunnell/Mission-Aransas National Estuarine Research Reserve

In fact, John Oliver bought dozens of these dolls last summer because he was so disturbed by them.

Another abandoned doll.Jace Tunnell/Mission-Aransas National Estuarine Research Reserve

According to Smithsonian Magazine, Texas receives so much litter because it's part of a loop current, "a warm-water flow that travels up from the Caribbean and into the gulf."

This doll looks a bit more beat up.Jace Tunnell/Mission-Aransas National Estuarine Research Reserve

According to Smithsonian Magazine, Texas receives so much litter because it's part of a loop current, "a warm-water flow that travels up from the Caribbean and into the gulf."

"We believe the dolls are from countries that put their trash in rivers or directly into the ocean and then get caught up in the ocean currents that push the dolls up on the Texas coast," Tunnell told Insider.

Off with your head.Jace Tunnell/Mission-Aransas National Estuarine Research Reserve

"We believe the dolls are from countries that put their trash in rivers or directly into the ocean and then get caught up in the ocean currents that push the dolls up on the Texas coast," Tunnell told Insider.

Even though the dolls are the most famous debris for sale, they're not the only items up for auction on Saturday, May 20.

This is a duck decoy for hunting.Jace Tunnell/Mission-Aransas National Estuarine Research Reserve

There are less creepy dolls, like this monkey.

He comes with a banana.Jace Tunnell/Mission-Aransas National Estuarine Research Reserve

Or maybe you want to purchase this Rick Sanchez doll from "Rick and Morty."

Rick from "Rick and Morty."Jace Tunnell/Mission-Aransas National Estuarine Research Reserve

This mermaid might not be practical, but it could be a great addition to your lawn.

This mermaid is missing the bottom of her tail.Jace Tunnell/Mission-Aransas National Estuarine Research Reserve

Some of the debris is inexplicable, this like mannequin head with blue eyeshadow and neon-yellow lipstick.

A mannequin head.Jace Tunnell/Mission-Aransas National Estuarine Research Reserve

And some of it is sort of beautiful, like this blue bottle.

Sea glass.Jace Tunnell/Mission-Aransas National Estuarine Research Reserve

The clean-up crew has even found a message in a bottle.

A message in a bottle.Jace Tunnell/Mission-Aransas National Estuarine Research Reserve

A waterproof camera was also found — time will tell if the film can be developed.

A waterproof camera.Jace Tunnell/Mission-Aransas National Estuarine Research Reserve

All this could be yours if you stop by Roberts Point Park in Port Aransas, Texas, on Saturday, May 20, at 10 a.m.

A water gun.Jace Tunnell/Mission-Aransas National Estuarine Research Reserve

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Barnacle-encrusted dolls, a message in a bottle, and a giant mermaid: Photos show the bizarre beach debris headed to auction in Texas

Every year, the Mission-Aransas Reserve in Port Aransas, Texas, auctions off debris that washes up on its beach to raise funds.

"When we find interesting items during the survey, we bring them back and pile them up for selling in the annual auction to help raise money for the sea turtles," Jace Tunnell, director of the Mission-Aransas Reserve, told the Houston Chronicle.

You might have heard of this beach before — the baby dolls have previously made the news because they frequently wash up along the shore.

In fact, John Oliver bought dozens of these dolls last summer because he was so disturbed by them.

According to Smithsonian Magazine, Texas receives so much litter because it's part of a loop current, "a warm-water flow that travels up from the Caribbean and into the gulf."

"We believe the dolls are from countries that put their trash in rivers or directly into the ocean and then get caught up in the ocean currents that push the dolls up on the Texas coast," Tunnell told Insider.

Even though the dolls are the most famous debris for sale, they're not the only items up for auction on Saturday, May 20.

There are less creepy dolls, like this monkey.

Or maybe you want to purchase this Rick Sanchez doll from "Rick and Morty."

This mermaid might not be practical, but it could be a great addition to your lawn.

Some of the debris is inexplicable, this like mannequin head with blue eyeshadow and neon-yellow lipstick.

And some of it is sort of beautiful, like this blue bottle.

The clean-up crew has even found a message in a bottle.

A waterproof camera was also found — time will tell if the film can be developed.

All this could be yours if you stop by Roberts Point Park in Port Aransas, Texas, on Saturday, May 20, at 10 a.m.