Back in the fall PREP was contacted by our EPA partners at the Trash Free Waters program about starting a project in the Piscataqua Region watershed (working with both NH and ME partners and communities) to address the problem of aquatic trash and marine debris. As the National Estuary Program for NH and southern ME – PREP was able to gather stakeholders who are involved in aquatic trash and marine debris work in our region to participate in the effort. It has been an opportunity to learn about multiple programs addressing aquatic trash and marine debris, and a chance to brainstorm together creative potential solutions to the problem.

Although aquatic trash and marine debris continues to be an issue on our coasts and along our waterbodies, we are so fortunate to have a group of enthusiastic experts who are interested in tackling the problem from multiple angles. Groups like Blue Ocean Society for Marine Conservation have been cleaning beaches along the Atlantic coast since 2001 – including monthly cleanups at Jenness Beach in Rye, NH. They’ve engaged thousands – if not more – of citizens in the stewardship of our coastal resources. The group is also engaging restaurants and consumers in the Skip the Straw campaign to promote a reduction in single use plastics. Gabriela Bradt, from UNH Cooperative Extension and NH Sea Grant, in partnership with Blue Ocean Society worked to locate and remove derelict fishing gear from the coast with the help of NH Fish and Game and Maine Marine Patrol, as well as from the shores of the Isles of Shoals. She is also spearheading a microplastics study for a number of beaches along the Atlantic coast. Recently PREP and Nature Groupie partnered with the US Fish and Wildlife Service at the Great Bay National Wildlife Refuge to conduct two cleanups (in 2016 and 2017) as part of the Ocean Conservancy’s International Coastal Cleanup.  And Melissa Paly, the Great Bay Piscataqua Waterkeeper has been working with companies to conduct kayak cleanups along the shores of the Great Bay Estuary. It is clear there has been no shortage of efforts to remove debris from our waterbodies, but the Trash Free Waters program aims to think beyond cleanups, and to brainstorm ideas for stopping this debris at the source. 

Our meeting on March 1 gathered a range of stakeholders from the groups mentioned above, as well as community leaders, watershed groups (like the Acton Wakefield Watersheds Alliance), regional planning commissions, and more to think about ways to reduce single use plastics, address growing concerns related to pet waste and the implications on water quality, and derelict fishing gear. After a rich discussion the group identified around 12 potential projects. Our next step is to think through each of the projects and develop 2-3 work plans to hit the ground running. We are hoping to meet again in April and continue the conversation and planning.

PREP is honored to be apart of a group of people dedicated to addressing aquatic trash and marine debris at the source and to continue coordinating cleanup efforts across our region. Stay tuned for more from the group later this spring! And if you’d like to be involved please contact Abigail.Lyon@unh.edu.