Throughout the Mid-Atlantic, including Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Virginia, and the District of Columbia, numerous organizations work to address marine debris through education, prevention, removal, response, and research efforts. The 2021 Mid-Atlantic Marine Debris Action Plan (Action Plan) establishes a comprehensive framework for strategic action to help reduce the impacts of marine debris on the Mid-Atlantic and its coasts, people, and wildlife.

The MDP undertook multiple steps to coordinate the development of the Action Plan, including: collaborating with the Mid-Atlantic community through one-on-one feedback calls; engaging through regionally specific events, forums, and channels; aligning with state and watershed marine debris plans; reviewing marine debris data sources; holding virtual workshops; and providing opportunities for written partner feedback to prioritize and finalize the actions. 

In total, more than 150 participants were engaged in developing the Action Plan, and 96 partners committed to a total of 54 actions. The Action Plan also incorporates the principles of justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion as core values across all goals.

The Action Plan encompasses work that will be undertaken in the next five years (2021-2026), and participants will provide annual updates on the status of actions. Going forward, the MDP will support partners’ actions by assisting with tasks where possible, tracking progress, identifying gaps and potential solutions, and sharing relevant news and resources.

For additional information, please contact Christy.Kehoe@noaa.gov.