APRIL 15, 2024 — In a few weeks time, spill response community professionals from around the nation and the world will gather at the 2024 International Oil Spill Conference (IOSC 2024), to be held May 13-16 in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Current Issue
APRIL 15, 2024 — Following a competitive review process, the NOAA Marine Debris Program and National Marine Sanctuary Foundation are pleased to announce the 12 recipients of the Ocean Odyssey Fiscal Year 2024 Marine Debris Awards for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Justice, and Accessibility (DEIJA).
APRIL 15, 2024 — On August 31, 2023, while monitoring an active hawksbill and green sea turtle nesting beach, the Puerto Rico Department of Natural and Environmental Resources (PRDNER) found and reported a 40-foot drug runner sailboat modified to operate as a semi-submersible (low profile vessel) grounded on Mona Island, Puerto Rico.
APRIL 15, 2024 — On April 8, 2024, the U.S. Department of Justice proposed a settlement to restore natural resources impacted by the Flint Hills Dock #5 oil spill. Per the consent decree, the responsible party will pay $427,000 for restoration and future costs, plus $162,213 of remaining trustee assessment costs, and a $400,000 Clean Water Act civil penalty.
APRIL, 15, 2024 - On March 26, OR&R’s Scientific Support and Regional Preparedness Coordinator William Whitmore shared emergency preparedness and response information during a presentation at the National Hurricane Conference in Orlando, Florida.
APRIL 15, 2024 — From April 2-3, Texas and federal trustees met at the South Texas Ecotourism Center in Laguna Vista, Texas for the bi-annual Natural Resource Damage Assessment (NRDA) Texas Trustee Summit. Trustees included members from NOAA, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Department of Interior, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, Texas Office of Attorney General, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, and Texas General Land Office.
APRIL 15, 2024 — From March 8-10, finalists of the 2023-2024 Great Lakes AquaHacking Challenge and its Water Issue Leaders convened in Traverse City, Michigan for a water innovation expedition. Haley Dalian, Great Lakes Regional Coordinator for the NOAA Marine Debris Program, within OR&R, serves as one of two Water Issue Leaders for the Microplastics topic.
APRIL 15, 2024 — On April 8, the NOAA Marine Debris Program, within OR&R, participated in a derelict fishing gear processing day organized by Stockton University as part of their FY22/23 Inflation Reduction Act award. Participating in the gear processing event were Stockton University researchers and staff, roughly 20 undergraduate students, several commercial crabbers, and a member of Senator Cory Booker’s staff. Marine Debris Program Deputy Director MaryLee Haughwout and Mid-Atlantic Regional Coordinator Katie Morgan also participated.