The MDP partnered with the California Ocean Protection Council and California Sea Grant to develop the California Ocean Litter Prevention Strategy. Twice a year, California’s marine debris action plan partners meet in workgroups to discuss the Strategy’s action progress, partner updates, and presentations from leaders in California. These bi-annual workgroups provide a venue for regular dialogue and collaboration between organizations supporting actions within the Strategy.

The NOAA MDP California Regional Coordinator, Christy Kehoe, provided updates on the MDP regional initiatives, funding opportunities, and updates on the Strategy’s implementation. Speakers included the California Public Interest Research Group, California Product Stewardship Council, California Sea Grant, San Francisco Estuary Institute, Algalita Foundation, Southern California Coastal Water Research Project, and the Los Angeles County Public Works Ballona Creek Interceptor partnership with the Ocean Clean-up. Marine debris is a cross-sector issue that impacts human and wildlife communities across the state of California. Engaging partners across so many of those sectors is one of the great successes of the Ocean Litter Prevention Strategy. Attendees engaged with community speakers and also shared relevant work in marine debris across California. The next workgroup meetings will take place in February 2024.