RESEARCH AND PUBLICATIONS
Teams of academics and other partners are leading marine debris research that answers questions about marine debris types, impacts, and solutions in the Mid-Atlantic. Research papers, reports, and other technical publications are available below.
To assess the ecological and economic impacts of derelict blue crab pots in the Chesapeake Bay, a diverse team of researchers from CSS-Dynamac, Inc.; Versar, Inc.; the Virginia Institute of Marine Science; and Global Science & Technology, Inc. recently completed a comprehensive Bay-wide assessment as part of a project funded by the NOAA Marine Debris Program. In addition to the Chesapeake Bay assessment, the team also created a Guiding Framework for derelict fishing gear assessments, which can be applied to other fisheries and/or regions interested in conducting similar studies.

Microplastics in the Chesapeake Bay and its Watershed: State of the Knowledge, Data Gaps, and Relationship to Management Goals" The Scientific and Technical Advisory Committee (STAC) Workshop Report, April 24-25, 2019, Woodbridge, VA (STAC Publication 19-006)

Marine debris is a pervasive pollution problem that impacts all corners of the globe. Sometimes, debris ends up in places that require innovative thinking in order to remove. Check out some of these projects that implemented unique or developed best management practices for removing debris from the environment.