UMaine receives $3.5M from NOAA Sea Grant to address marine debris
Maine Sea Grant College Program, University of Maine researchers and partners throughout the state will receive funding for three projects that address the prevention and removal of marine debris in the Gulf of Maine. Using Sea Grant’s partnered approach to bring science together with communities for solutions that work, the projects will support transformational research and the creation of local coalitions.
“Marine debris negatively impacts our coastal communities, marine wildlife, and iconic ocean vistas — things we consider special about our state. It will take ingenuity, creativity and collaboration to find impactful solutions, and we are excited to have all three of these projects funded,” said Maine Sea Grant Director, Gayle Zydlewski. “Whether it’s preventing debris from going into the ocean or getting it out, we need to tackle this issue from multiple directions and perspectives. We are fortunate to work with a variety of partners and people, from engineers, social scientists and graduate students at UMaine to high school students, artists and recreational boaters in coastal communities so that we can, together, make a difference in Maine. ”