Southeast Atlantic Marine Debris Initiative

Jekyll Island Outreach

Posted on February 19, 2013 by sea_mdi

We recently went to Jekyll Island to meet with our Georgia Sea Turtle Center Marine Debris Initiative partner, Jeannie Miller, and attend the Green Screen event put on by EcoFest Film Fesitval, Georgia Sea Grant (partners Jill Gamble and Lisa Liguori) and Jekyll Island (partner Ben Carswell). It was an outstanding event bringing together many people. The event was free and open to the public, so an estimated 800 people attended. SEA-MDI undergraduate assistant, Abby Stern, helped to make the two posters we presented. At the poster session and reception, we were able to talk to the attendees about the Southeast Atlantic Marine Debris Initiative and our useful mobile app to map marine debris, Marine Debris Tracker.

Abby Stern speaking with Surfrider Foundation about our mobile App Marine Debris Tracker

Caitlin speaking about the Georgia Sea Turtle Marine Debris Initiative supported by SEA-MDI

Then we all went in to watch the outstanding movie, Chasing Ice.

Chasing Ice Attendees

The movie was followed by an excellent panel and dialog.

Chasing Ice Discussion Panel

It was a very productive event for SEA-MDI and some of our partners.

Marine Debris Tracker in Action

Posted in Grants and Projects, Outreach | Tagged Chasing Ice, EcoFest Film Festival, Georgia Sea Grant, Georgia Sea Turtle Center, Green Screen, Jekyll Island, Marine Debris Tracker | Comments Off

Georgia Sea Turtle Center Marine Debris Citizen Science Program

Posted on November 13, 2012 by sea_mdi

The mobility of marine and land debris has created a global problem that has local solutions. The Georgia Sea Turtle Center (GSTC) Marine Debris Citizen Science program was created in 2012 and is funded by the Southeast Atlantic Marine Debris Initiative which is part of the NOAA Marine Debris program. Marine Debris Citizen Science participants keep Jekyll Island’s beaches free of marine debris. They help protect sea turtle and shorebird nesting habitats by collecting and bagging debris along stretches of beach. They also record where, when, what and how much debris is picked up using the Marine Debris Tracker application. While on the beach, Marine Debris Citizen Science participants will also have an opportunity to interpret and educate visitors to the coastal area about sea turtle biology and beach ecology.

Check out our Marine Debris Initiative for more information as well as an overview of opportunities available. If you are interested in our Marine Debris Initiative, please contact us at gstcvolunteer@jekyllisland.com.

Citizen Science Marine Debris Trackers

Youth citizen science group

Posted in Grants and Projects, Marine Debris Characterization, Mobile Applications | Tagged Citizen Science, Georgia Sea Turtle Center, Jekyll Island, Marine Debris Tracker, NOAA Marine Debris Program | Comments Off

First boat disposal for Clean Marine Beaufort project and World Oceans Celebration!

Posted on June 8, 2012 by sea_mdi

We love to see citizens incorporated into this art project using marine debris and it is exciting to see how one of the SEA-MDI projects is expanding! Here is the update, courtesy of Amber Von Harten of SC Sea Grant.

Through a partnership with Beaufort County Public Works, the SEA-MDI sponsored Clean Marine Beaufort project , organized by the S.C. Sea Grant Consortium, removed their first recreational boat from the marshes of Beaufort County, SC. Funds from the SEA-MDI project will support the disposal of the boat.

Clean Marine boat removed

The Clean Marine Beaufort project partners are also heading up another project linking marine debris outreach and celebrating our worlds oceans through World Oceans Day Beaufort, SC, a month long celebration in June. Part of this project is to use art as a conduit to get a message put to the community about the impacts of marine debris on the oceans. The art project, in partnership with the Beaufort County Arts Council and ARTworks, will support bringing in a local artist to create a large marine debris sculpture called “Locomocean.” The sculpture will use a waste container, courtesy of Waste Management, as the base for the sculpture and the community will bring the artist pieces of marine debris or recyclables to build into the art piece. Additionally, the recreational boat removed with support from Clean Marine Beaufort will be used in the sculpture as well before disposal. The artist is holding two community art workshops to work with the community on building the sculpture on June 2 and 9 and the sculpture will be finished and revealed at the World Oceans Day Beaufort Festival on June 16 in Beaufort.

World Oceans Day marine debris sculpture

For more information on Clean Marine Beaufort and World Oceans Day Beaufort, SC, see:

https://www.facebook.com/CleanMarineBeaufort

https://www.facebook.com/worldoceansdaybeaufortSC and the list of events for the month of June: https://www.facebook.com/worldoceansdaybeaufortSC/events

An article was written in the Island Packet about the project.

Posted in Grants and Projects, Uncategorized | Tagged ARTworks, Beaufort County, Beaufort County Arts Council, Marine debris art, SC Sea Grant, World Oceans Day | Comments Off

Ribbon cutting for North Carolina Big Sweep Project

Posted on June 5, 2012 by sea_mdi

On May 17, 2012 the kickoff for the SEA-MDI sponsored Tracking Monofilament Line Recycling to Make a Difference for Our Wildlife project occurred with a ceremonial ribbon cutting.

Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

Thursday, May 17, 2012 – 11 a.m.

Southport Marina

Agenda

Welcome

Hank Whitley

Marina Manager, Southport Marina

The Honorable Robert Howard

Mayor, City of Southport

What’s All This Fuss About?

Judy Bolin

President. N.C. Big Sweep

Your Local Big Sweep Connection

Kimberley Thompson

Brunswick County Big Sweep Coordinator, Brunswick County Solid Waste/Recycling Coordinator, and

Keep Brunswick County Beautiful Executive Director

What Is A Clean Marina?

Pat Durrett

Clean Marina Program Coordinator

Cutting The Ribbon

In the photo (from left to right): Pat Durrett (Clean Marina), Judy Bolin (NC Big Sweep), Hank Whitley (Southport Marina), Southport Mayor Robert Howard, Kimberley Thompson (Brunswick County Solid Waste and Recycling), and Alderman Todd Coring.

Fifteen monofilament recycling bins have been placed at marinas and will be recording the line collected. Beyond that, people visiting the marinas are being educated about marine debris and have the opportunity to download the SEA-MDI app Marine Debris Tracker. The sticker below is also placed on the bins.

Posted in Grants and Projects, Marine Debris Characterization | Tagged Clean Marina, Judy Bolin, monofilament line recycling, North Carolina Big Sweep, Southport Marina | Comments Off

Marine Debris Cleanup Locations Released

Posted on June 3, 2012 by sea_mdi

Did you know there are over 1200 locations in the USA removing marine debris from our environment? Do you know how they manage the waste they collect? Explore our map to discover a new option for marine debris waste management or find a local group to join and help! Then use our handy Smartphone app, Marine Debris Tracker, to log what you find.

This database was created and populated by our undergraduate research assistant, Jenna Grygier, and also presented at the University of Georgia’s 2012 Undergraduate Research Conference. She compiled the data from web-based resources with some followup phone calls. the purpose of the database is to examine the waste management practices of each marine debris group and event. But it also serves a resource to the public to find these events and explore waste management options. Know of a cleanup event or group not listed? Please let us know at sea.marine.debris@gmail.com.

Posted in Marine Debris Waste Management | Tagged beach cleanup locations, marine debris cleanup, Marine Debris Tracker, marine debris waste management | Comments Off

Southeast Marine Debris Projects Funded

Posted on May 4, 2012 by sea_mdi

SEA-MDI is excited to fund the following marine debris projects in NC, GA and SC. The projects began March 1, 2012 and will go through February 28, 2013. And there will be one more opportunity for funding, so keep watching for future announcements.

Reading Between the Lines: Marine Debris Education for Children in Georgia, Georgia Marine Extension Service and Georgia Sea Grant College Program
Clean Marine: Debris Free Waterways in Beaufort County, SC, South Carolina Sea Grant Consortium & Extension Program
Fort Pulaski Marine Debris Initiative, Clean Coast and the National Park Service
Georgia Sea Turtle Center Marine Debris Citizen Science and Education Program, Georgia Sea Turtle Center (GSTC)
Plastic Debris on the Georgia Coast, Skidaway Institute of Oceanography and UGA Marine Extension Service
Tracking Monofilament Line Recycling to Make a Difference for Our Wildlife, North Carolina Big Sweep Statewide Headquarters

Congratulations to all of our awardees!

Posted in Grants and Projects | Tagged funding opportunity, Georgia Marine Extension Service, Georgia Sea Grant, Georgia Sea Turtle Center, grant, marine debris, North Carolina, North Carolina Big Sweep, SC Sea Grant, Skidaway Institute of Oceanography, South Carolina | Comments Off

Proposals under review

Posted on January 22, 2012 by sea_mdi

Thanks for all the interest in the 2011-2012 SEA-MDI marine debris funding opportunity, which is now closed. The proposals are under review and once the grants are awarded, we will post the awardees here, so check back later!

Posted in Funding opportunitiy | Tagged funding opportunity, grant | Comments Off

Funding Opportunity for Marine Debris!

Posted on December 20, 2011 by sea_mdi

The Southeast Atlantic Marine Debris Initiative (SEA-MDI), in partnership with NOAA’s Marine Debris Program, is pleased to announce our 2011 Funding Opportunity for projects addressing marine debris issues in GA, SC, and NC. Deadline for proposals is 5 p.m. EST on Thursday, January 20, 2012. Awards will be funded for one year and may range from $5,000 to $10,000 with a total of $30,000 available in funding for this solicitation. This competitive funding opportunity is open to investigators in GA, SC, and NC. All work must be completed in these states (or in coastal waters of these states). Scale of projects may range from local to regional within those states. Details are available at our SEA-MDI website: http://sea-mdi.engr.uga.edu/?page_id=204). Questions may be directed to Christine Laporte (Project Coordinator, claporte@uga.edu), or Jenna Jambeck (Principal Investigator, jjambeck@uga.edu, office 706.542.6454).

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged funding opportunity, Georgia, grant, marine debris, North Carolina, South Carolina | Comments Off

Another Marine Debris App from the Southeast Region!

Posted on October 10, 2011 by sea_mdi

This app was designed for use in South Carolina waters by Dylan Murphy, a masters of environmental studies graduate student at College of Charleston, SC, as part of his thesis, “Adoption of new Technology for the Improvement of a Citizen Science Project: Clean Marine Smartphone App.”

Dylan gave us the inside scoop on the new App

What does this app do?

The Clean Marine app is for reporting debris that is too large for you to pick up by yourself, such as an oil drum or an abandoned vessel. Simply install and tell the app what kind of debris you are looking at using my friendly and attractive user interface. Clean Marine will grab your gps coordinates and take a picture for you. All of this information is packaged and sent to SCDHEC to be added to a database of marine debris. This lets the governing bodies know the quantity and quality of debris in their region so they can better prioritize where funds are going.

If you are not currently connected to the internet when you spot the debris, your data will be saved and sent when your phone is back online. This app also allows you to manually enter information about a piece of marine debris if you have spotted something and gps’ed it when you didn’t have your cell on you.

Who is it designed for and who should use it?

While this was designed to go along with SCDHEC’s Clean Marine program (http://www.scdhec.gov/cleanmarine) and is aimed towards SC coastal residents, I encourage anyone who is on the water to use this application when they see large marine debris and I will make sure your data gets to the proper authorities for your region. In addition, this will let me know how I should progress with development and expansion of the app.

How do I get it?

Find this app in the Android Market from your Android phone, tablet or computer by clicking (http://market.android.com/details?id=mobsci.cleanmarine) or by searching for “clean marine” or “marine debris”. Also coming soon from the Amazon AppStore.

Acknowledgements

This app was made possible with the assistance of Amber Von Harten & Elizabeth Vernon Bell of the SC Sea Grant Consortium (http://www.scseagrant.org/), Lundie Spence of the Centers for Ocean Sciences Education Excellence: SouthEast (http://www.cosee-se.org/), Curtis Joyner of the SC Department of Health & Environmental Control: Ocean & Coastal Resource Management (http://www.scdhec.gov/environment/ocrm/), and Mary Conley of The Nature Conservancy (http://www.nature.org/ourinitiatives/regions/northamerica/unitedstates/southcarolina/index.htm)

We are excited to have a sister app to Marine Debris Tracker and think everyone should check out this app as well! Congrats on your thesis, Dylan and best of luck in your future endeavors!

-SEA-MDI

Posted in Mobile Applications | Tagged Android, Android Market, Clean Marine, COSEE-SE, Dylan Murphy, marine debris, Mobile Apps, SC DHEC, SC Sea Grant, South Carolina, The Nature Conservancy | Comments Off

People are buzzing about Marine Debris Tracker…

Posted on September 8, 2011 by sea_mdi

See the official Press Releases from NOAA and UGA, as well as articles and mentions from others. Highlights include a mention from TreeHugger and the NYT in their greenblog!