The purpose of the Washington Marine Debris Action Plan is to provide a strategic framework to facilitate and track actions in support of the identified strategies that prevent and reduce marine debris throughout Washington State, including the Puget Sound, the Northwest Straits, Washington’s Pacific Coast, the Columbia River estuary, and inland sources. The prevention of marine debris is the primary goal of this Action Plan, with a special focus on outreach and education efforts to reduce the influx of marine debris into the environment.

The MDP undertook multiple steps to coordinate the development of the Action Plan, including soliciting partner feedback, one-on-one planning calls, a two-day virtual workshop, and incorporating written comments from partners. Over 50 Washington marine debris stakeholders, representing federal and state governments, tribes, nongovernmental organizations, industry, and academia, provided updates to the 2021 Action Plan and its 169 actions across four goal areas and 20 strategies. 

The overall Action Plan duration is six years (2018–2024). The 2021 Action Plan operational cycle is two years. At the end of an operational cycle, partners will meet at a workshop to update the Action Plan. After six years, the Action Plan will be thoroughly evaluated and modified as needed.

For additional information, contact Andrew.Mason@noaa.gov.