We hope you can join this webinar — part of the NOAA Marine Debris Program’s online webinar series, Salvaging Solutions to Abandoned and Derelict Vessels!

Each month’s webinar features experts on a topic related to abandoned and derelict vessels (ADVs). The goal of the series is to share perspectives from across the country on common issues arising from abandoned and derelict vessels, in hopes to help communities better deal with them.

This month's webinar will focus on vessel disposal and recycling. It will be presented by the following specialists:

• Donna Morrow, Director – Center for Marine and Coastal Stewardship, Chesapeake and Coastal Service Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR)
• Evan Ridley, Director of Environmental Programs – Rhode Island Marine Trades Association

Donna has administered the Maryland Clean Marina Initiative for 20 years and, in the past seven years, has branched out into tackling marine debris related issues for the Chesapeake and Coastal Service at Maryland DNR. The overlap of these two roles has led to her work with boat shrinkwrap reduction and recycling. Donna will explain Maryland's shrinkwrap recycling program, which is a partnership between a public agency (DNR) and private sector entities as well as the challenges of dealing with this unique material.

Evan has focused on the development and growth of several sustainability initiatives in the recreational boating industry. This includes the creation and launch of the Rhode Island Fiberglass Vessel Recycling Pilot Project. His research on this topic is distributed within a growing network of international stakeholders and collaborators. In 2020, he was included in Boating Industry’s “40 Under 40.” Evan will explain how the Rhode Island Fiberglass Vessel Recycling Pilot Project works in an effort to establish alternatives to landfilling for end-of-life fiberglass boats and their materials.

Please join us, and mark your calendar for the fourth Wednesday of the month at 3 pm ET/2pm CT/12 pm PT/10 am HT — and feel free to share the series with anyone with an interest in abandoned and derelict vessels!