1. The State of Marine Debris Efforts in North Carolina:
An Assessment
Setting the stage for development of a marine debris reduction, prevention and removal plan for the North Carolina coast.

2. We Collaborate We Advocate We Restore and Protect We Educate We Inform
Mission: To empower coastal residents & visitors from all walks of life to protect and restore the water quality and critically important natural habitats of the NC coast.
Our Approach
We Collaborate
We Advocate
We Restore and Protect
We Educate
We Inform

3. N.C. Coastal Federation Strategy in 2017:
Coastal environment is free of marine debris.
Marine debris takes on many different forms — from bottle caps and balloons to lost crab pots and other fishing gear.
Marine debris is not only unsightly, it is hazardous to fish, wildlife and humans.
With its widespread scope, marine debris is not a problem the federation can face alone.

4. NOAA Funded Projects in North Carolina
AquaDebris: Site restoration and habitat recovery assessment of shellfish aquaculture in North Carolina
Lead: N.C. Coastal Federation
Removal Funding (FY17)
Using Unmanned Aerial Systems to Inform Marine Debris Removal Strategies and Monitor Habitat Recovery in the Rachel Carson Reserve
Lead: N.C. National Estuarine Research Reserve
Removal Funding (FY16)
Developing Fishermen-led Crab Pot Recovery Program in NC
Removal Funding (FY 15)

6. Other Statewide Strategic Marine Debris Efforts:
Florida
Great Lakes
Oregon
Virginia
Hawaii

7. Initial Stakeholders
Lisa Rider – Keep Onslow Beautiful, N.C. Marine Debris Symposium
Gloria Putnam – N.C. Sea Grant
Paula Gillikin – N.C. Coastal Reserve & National Estuarine Research Reserve
Sara Hallas, Rachel Bisesi, Jessica Gray – N.C. Coastal Federation

8. North Carolina Incident Waterway Debris Response Guide:
Comprehensive Guidance Document
By collaborating with local, state, and federal entities active in the region, this guide aims to facilitate a more timely and effective response to waterway debris incidents in North Carolina.

9. General Timeline
Objective 1: Complete an assessment of marine debris in North Carolina
Complete the N.C. assessment this fall, after the NCMDS and survey feedback is evaluated
Objective 2: Develop a coastwide marine debris strategy
Through Strategy workshop planning meetings in early 2018, develop a Coast-wide Marine Debris Reduction Strategy/Plan
Present a draft plan at 2018 NC Marine Debris Symposium to refine this document

10. The State of Marine Debris in North Carolina:
An Assessment
Objective 1: Complete an assessment of the state of marine debris in North Carolina as a pre-cursor to the development of a coast-wide marine debris reduction strategy/plan.
Marine Debris of Concern in North Carolina:
i. Consumer debris
ii. Lost Fishing Gear –Include aquaculture
iii. Abandoned and Derelict vessels – Brunswick Co. adopted an ordinance
iv. Storm debris – Including vegetative debris
v. Unmaintained structures –Docks, bulkheads, etc.

11. The State of Marine Debris in North Carolina:
An Assessment
The goals of this N.C. coast assessment and inventory project are to:
• Understand the problem of marine debris on the N.C. coast
• Understand the types and quantities of marine debris
• Understand the threats from different types of marine debris
• Identify organizations that are involved with all aspects of marine debris
• Assemble a team of stakeholders that will lead the development of a marine debris action plan for North Carolina’s coast

12. Marine Debris Survey
A survey was published on August 14th to gather information in an effort to develop a marine debris reduction strategy for the state.