Washington Marine Debris Action Plan Workshop Shares Statewide Accomplishments and Charts Next 4-Year Course
NOV. 25, 2024 — On October 22-23, the NOAA Marine Debris Program within the Office of Response and Restoration hosted an in-person workshop for participants of the Washington Marine Debris Action Plan.
The inaugural six-year Washington Marine Debris Action Plan provided a comprehensive framework for strategic action to prevent and reduce marine debris throughout Washington, including the Puget Sound, the Northwest Straits, Washington’s Pacific Coast, and Columbia River estuary, and inland sources. As the first edition of the plan draws to a close, partners representing 25 different entities gathered in Port Angeles, Washington to strategically update collaborative goals and strategies that address the marine debris problem throughout the state. Over the course of the two-day workshop, regional partners presented on their accomplishments and recent work to address marine debris as well as participated in marine debris topic-based workgroup discussions. Participants also discussed changes to the 2018-2024 Action Plan and kicked off the process of creating the next iteration of the Washington Marine Debris Action Plan to be published in 2025.