2023 Mid-Atlantic Marine Debris Summit

The 2023 Mid-Atlantic Marine Debris Summit was hosted by the Marine Debris Work Group on Dec. 6 and 7 at the Roland E. Powell Convention Center in Ocean City, Maryland. The free event gathered over 100 stakeholders from across the Mid-Atlantic region and beyond, and featured a comprehensive agenda spanning diverse topics such as microplastics research, coastal storm debris response, community engagement initiatives, large-scale removal projects, capture technologies, and marine debris policy. Keynote speakers, panel discussions, breakout sessions, and a poster presentation session enriched the dialogue on marine debris management strategies.

Summit Goal:

The 2023 Mid-Atlantic Marine Debris Summit brought together Mid-Atlantic regional entities working on marine debris (including litter that becomes marine debris) – including state and federal agencies, tribes, non-profit organizations, academia, and other groups – to identify opportunities to incorporate diversity, equity and inclusion into marine debris efforts, coordination between groups, discuss current and emerging marine debris fields, and highlight solutions to marine debris prevention and reduction.

Summit Objectives:

  • Foster meaningful coordination among stakeholders, encourage interdisciplinary collaboration, and strengthen partnerships
  • Incorporate and emphasize diversity, equity, inclusion, justice, and accessibility principles throughout the summit agenda and experience
  • Identify barriers to progress, and opportunities for improvement across  Mid-Atlantic marine debris cross-sector initiatives
  • Provide a platform for sharing current research, emerging trends, innovative approaches, and highlighting best practices and successful solutions

 

DAY 1 VIDEOS

Opening Remarks, Keynote Address, and Morning Panel:

Microplastics & Nanoplastics: Implications on the Environment, Humans, and Wildlife

 

 

  • Moderator: Will Isenberg
  • MARCO Executive Director: Avalon Bristow
  • Maryland Department of Natural Resources Assistant Secretary of Aquatic Resources: Kristen Fidler
  • Keynote Speaker: Yugonda Sample-Jones

PANELISTS

  • Christine Knauss (University of Maryland) – Impacts of Microplastics Ingestion on Oyster Larvae and Implications for Restoration Efforts.
  • Todd Thoman(University of Delaware) – Transport of marine microplastic debris in Delaware coastal waters and implications for buoyant zooplankton
  • Carol Adrianne Smith (Morgan State University) – The high content of degraded microplastics and volatile organic contaminants (VOCs) found in the Chrysaora chesapeakei of the Chesapeake Bay, MD, and its relationship to the aquatic food web. Authors: Carol Adrianne Sauls-Smith, Natalie Drichko, Chunlei Fan, Samuel Mandal, Saroj Pramanik*
  • Britta Baechler (Associate Directory Ocean Plastics Research, Ocean Conservancy) –Microplastics in the U.S.: Public knowledge, concerns and food exposure from commonly-consumed protein products
  • Hayden Boettcher (University of Delaware)- Effects of Polyethylene Terephthalate Microfibers on Mud Crab Panopeus herbstii Throughout Larval Development
  • Bob Murphy (TetraTech) – Development of an Ecological Risk Conceptual Model for Microplastics and Striped Bass in the Potomac River Estuary

 

Coastal Storm Debris-Preparing for and Responding to Marine Debris Generated During Natural Disasters

 

 

  • John Gallagher (Director of Hydrographic Operations, Maryland DNR) – Hydrographic Operations Debris Removal Efforts Due to 2018 Post Storm Impacts
  • Kathleen Bergin (Program Manager for Field Operations, DNREC Division of Watershed Stewardship – Case Study: Hurricane Sandy and the continued impacts of marine debris in Delaware
  • William A. Burket, Jr.(Senior Director, MIRT and Business Continuity Virginia Port Authority) – Assessing Debris within the waterways of the Commonwealth of VA after severe weather

 

Community Engagement Initiatives in Marine Debris

 

 

  • Laura Jean Checki – Education and Public Outreach (EPO): What we do here means everything there
  • Diana Burich (NY & NJ Sea Grant)-Community Science to Address Microplastic Pollution in Environmentally Underserved Urban Watershed Communities in New Jersey and New York
  • Johanna Guardado (Programs Coordinator Defensores de la Cuenca) & Nancy Morales – La Academia de Defensores

DAY 2 VIDEOS

Marine Debris Reduction: Large Scale Removal Projects

 

 

  • Karen Wilson (Executive Director, Lynnhaven River NOW) – Forget Bringing Regional Partners Together to Remove AdVs and Forge a New Statewide Approach
  • Alanna Keating – Boat U.S. Foundation
  • Ward Slacum, Jr. (Executive Director, Oyster Recovery Partnership) – Use of VIMS Survey Data, Watermen’s Perspective, and successful removal projects in MD
  • Brittany Haywood (Delaware Sea Grant) – Derelict Crab Pots in Delaware’s Inland Bays
  • Steve Evert (Director for Stockton University’s Marine Field Station) – 10 years of DFG removals in New Jersey coastal bays – the keys to success depend on fisher involvement.
  • Renee Sanders (VIMS)– Nationwide Fishing Trap, Removal, Assessment, and Prevention (TRAP) Program.

Marine Debris Prevention Campaigns & Capture Technology

 

 

  • Trey Sherard (Anacostia RiverKeeper) –Trash Capture Technologies in the Anacostia River Watershed
  • Marina Feeser & Mandi Wells (OC Surfrider & Ocean Friendly Restaurants)
  • Dr. Christy Tyler (Rochester Institute of Technology) – Mitigation of stormwater debris in the Great Lakes.

 

Marine Debris Policy

 

 

  • Robin Dunbar (PhD Candidate) – Policy Approaches to Marine Debris Removal: A Qualitative Study of Virginia’s Elizabeth River
  • Dr. Nancy Lauer & Michelle Nowlin, J.D. (Duke University )– Data Driven, Local Policy for Reducing Marine Debris
  • Abdulai Fofanah (NYC Dept. of Environmental Protection) – Addressing Trash in the City of New York’s Stormwater
  • Zach Huntington (Exec. Director, Clean Virginia Waterways) – Using Voter Surveys to Inform Public Policy & Education Campaigns
  • Steve Raabe (OpinionWorks) – Current Project: CBSM Barriers Assessment and Policy Analysis for 3 Marine Debris Types
  • Claudia Davis (Campaign Associate, Oceana) – Working with the Business Community to pass New York City’s “Skip the Stuff” Bill
  • Maryland State Senator Malcom Augustine – Extended Producer Responsibility for Packaging Materials Legislation in Maryland
View Detailed Agenda with Speaker Bios and Presentation Descriptions

Thank you to this year’s Mid-Atlantic Marine Debris Summit Sponsors!