The Virginia CZM program identifies coastal policy issues that cut across jurisdictions and develops recommendations. Marine debris is one of those issues. 

Marine debris, especially plastics, is of local, regional, national, and global concern. It has become one of the most widespread pollution problems in the world’s oceans and waterways, impacting wildlife, human health and safety, habitats, and economies.

As much as 80 percent of marine debris comes from land-based sources, such as plastic bags and food containers. Abandoned or derelict vessels, fishing gear, and other water-based sources also significantly contribute to the problem.

In Virginia, the most problematic and abundant types of debris are: cigarette butts; food and beverage containers; plastic bags; fishing gear (commercial and recreational) and balloons. 

Current Virginia Marine Debris Reduction Plan 

2021-2025 Virginia Marine Debris Reduction Plan

This plan is a roadmap for working together on sustained approaches to reduce the flow of plastic and other litter. 

Virginia CZM published the plan with input from many partners, including a Leadership Team.

The plan revolves around major goals to reduce consumer debris, derelict fishing gear, microplastics and abandoned/derelict vessels. This format aligns with NOAA’s 2021-2026 Mid-Atlantic Regional Marine Debris Action Plan, which includes Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Virginia, and Washington, D.C. 

Video Overview of the Virginia Marine Debris Reduction Plan - (full video; 5:40)

Consumer Debris, including Single-Use Plastic (section; 1:38)
Derelict Fishing Gear, and aquaculture-related debris (section: 1:22)
Microplastics and Microfibers (section; 1:45)
Abandoned and Derelict Vessels (section; 1:24)

Virginia CZM is currently working with its partners on a revision of the Virginia Marine Debris Reduction Plan.  The 2026-2030 plan will be released in 2025. 

Background: First Plan in Virginia and on East Coast

In October 2014, Virginia became the first state on the east coast to publish a Marine Debris Reduction Plan.

The 2014-2020 plan grew out of the program’s 2010 Coastal Needs Assessment, where marine debris ranked as a high priority. It was developed by a Leadership Team, led by the Virginia CZM Program and its grantee, Clean Virginia Waterways. The team included representatives from government, academia, nonprofit organizations, businesses, experts in marine debris issues, and other stakeholders. Publication of a marine debris reduction plan was an important goal of the Virginia CZM Program’s FY 2011-2015 Ocean Management Strategy.

2014-2020 Virginia Marine Debris Reduction Plan -
Virginia's first plan was organized around five themes: 

1. Influencing individual behavior change
2. Increasing collaboration among partners and projects to prevent and remove litter and marine debris
3. Increasing knowledge of marine debris
4. Identifying and securing funding
5. Informing changes in laws and policies to reduce the sources of marine debris

Outcomes of the 2014-2020 Virginia Marine Debris Reduction Plan 

Acknowledging that policies and laws are often effective ways to change behavior and reduce the sources of marine debris, the program encourages its statewide partners to share data with decision makers so they can craft evidence-based actions. A fact sheet compiling the results of research on balloon litter in Virginia, conveyed to legislators, was considered instrumental in the Virginia General Assembly’s decision to ban the intentional release of balloons in Virginia.

To promote and facilitate communication and collaboration, the Virginia CZM Program helped establish the Virginia Plastic Pollution Prevention Network (VPPPN - http://www.vaplasticpollutionpreventionnetwork.org/) and the Virginia Abandoned & Derelict Vessel Work Group. This work group has brought together the US Coast Guard, Navy, local and state governments, law enforcement, marina managers and other stakeholders to discuss for the first time the many environmental, economic and human safety (navigational) impacts and solutions to abandoned and derelict vessels.

The Virginia CZM Program focuses on the use of Community-based Social Marketing to reduce consumer debris, including design and implementation of campaigns to target behaviors that will reduce balloon litter and encourage the use of alternatives to balloon releases - www.preventballoonlitter.org and JoyfulSendoff.org.  

Download Virginia Marine Debris Reduction Plan Summary and Look Ahead. This 2016 publication provides a brief update of accomplishments.

Visit Clean Virginia Waterways for more information about Virginia's marine debris reduction efforts.

Learn more about Virginia's participation in the annual International Coastal Cleanup - and how to lead or join a clean-up.

Virginia Marine Debris Response Guide
The purpose of this guide, published by Virginia CZM's partner the NOAA Marine Debris Program, is to improve preparedness for response and recovery operations following an acute waterway debris incident in coastal Virginia.

Contact Ryan Green, Tim.Green@deq.virginia.gov, for more information about the program’s growing involvement in ocean health and management issues as a founding member of the Mid-Atlantic Regional Council on the Ocean (MARCO).