This year's overarching conference theme was “data-driven environmental decision-making” for the protection and restoration of the environment. Amy presented a poster highlighting a published collaborative project with the National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science and Loyola University Chicago wherein invasive mussels from Milwaukee Harbor were sampled and analyzed for microplastics and chemical contaminants in conjunction with NOAA's National Mussel Watch Program. Carlie presented a poster highlighting the congressionally mandated (Save Our Seas 2.0 Act) Federal Plan to Address Microfiber Pollution. Carlie's poster focused on actions the U.S. government can take to address the issue. Representatives from 12 federal agencies identified these actions through a series of workshops facilitated by the project lead, Materevolve, in collaboration with the program and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Trash Free Waters Program.

Researching marine debris can help us better understand its distribution, sources, and impacts. These presentations continue the program’s commitment to improve our understanding of the ecological risks associated with marine debris, to reduce the impacts of marine debris, and to coordinate with diverse stakeholders to address this global issue.