The Action Plan, a first of its kind for the region, was initially published in May 2021 after extensive outreach and dialogue with stakeholders throughout the  Mid-Atlantic states (Virginia through New York, including Washington, D.C.). The monitoring and evaluation component of the Action Plan calls for a mid-Plan review and evaluation to ‘better understand which objectives, strategies, and actions are well supported and achievable and which may require further assistance and course correction’.

Nearly 40 stakeholders, representing nonprofit organizations; local, state, and federal agencies; academic institutions; and more, worked to review all actions, discuss the implementation status of those actions, and identify opportunities for enhanced collaboration in order to achieve all goals set forth in the Action Plan.

Feedback from the workshop will now undergo a review by the Action Plan community, who will continue regular check-ins to measure progress and find new ways to collaborate.

Marine debris is a transboundary problem across the Mid-Atlantic, shared throughout the region despite vast differences in geographic expanse, communities, state and local governments, legislation, and marine and coastal habitats. However, there is a dedicated marine debris community throughout the region, working hard to prevent marine debris from accumulating, remove debris that has entered the environment, and better understand the environmental and economic impacts of debris across the region. This workshop reflects the continued commitment from partners to reflect on progress throughout the region and identify opportunities for enhanced and strengthened collaboration.