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North Carolina Marine Debris Symposium

SEPTEMBER 30, 2016--On September 12-14, the NOAA Marine Debris Program's Southeast Regional Coordinator, Sarah Latshaw, and Planning and Preparedness Specialist, Jessica Conway, attended the fourth annual North Carolina Marine Debris Symposium (NCMDS) at Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina.


The symposium built on the success of the previous three symposiums, bringing together those engaged and interested in addressing marine debris issues in North Carolina. Participants were immersed in marine debris issues through presentations, panel discussions, volunteer clean-up events, a posters session, and networking opportunities. Sessions centered on waste reduction and recycling, solid waste infrastructure improvements, effective outreach, current research efforts, and policy discussions.

Sarah Latshaw presented on the Marine Debris Program, sharing regional updates and funding opportunities. Jessica Conway discussed the completion of the North Carolina Incident Waterway Debris Response Guide and provided copies of the document for interested participants.

During their visit to Wrightsville Beach for the symposium, Sarah and Jessica also had the opportunity to tour a recycling center that uses a constructed wetland for wastewater treatment, as well as to explore a life-sized inflatable whale classroom used in a prevention project funded by the Marine Debris Program to teach kids about the impacts of marine debris on wildlife.

The NCMDS was supported by the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation, NOAA Marine Debris Program, The Plastic Ocean Project, Blockade Runner, Keep North Carolina Beautiful, Carolina Recycling Association, and University of North Carolina Wilmington.

For more information, contact Sarah.Latshaw@noaa.gov or Jessica.Conway@noaa.gov.

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Giant inflatable whale with person standing next to it.
Southeast Regional Coordinator, Sarah Latshaw, with a life-sized inflatable whale. (NOAA)
Presenter addressing a room of people seated at tables.
Presentation at the North Carolina Marine Debris Symposium. (NOAA)
Last updated Tuesday, November 8, 2022 1:49pm PST