The BoatUS Foundation “Turning the Tide Online” virtual summit, Feb. 25-27, hopes to seek out more sustainable boating-related waste stream solutions, such as finding better solutions for end-of-life and derelict fiberglass boats. TowBoatUS Fort Lauderdale
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Surfing icon, environmentalist, award-winning filmmaker and “Code Method” author Shaun Tomson to serve as keynote speaker at the “Turning the Tide Online” virtual summit, Feb. 25-27.
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SPRINGFIELD, VA., Jan. 28, 2024 -- New speakers have been announced for the BoatUS Foundation’s “Turning the Tide Online” Virtual Summit, scheduled for February 25-27, 2025. “Turning the Tide Online” will be an engaging online experience for virtual attendees who will have access to on-demand content and live presentations on topics ranging from The Rhode Island Fiberglass Vessel Recycling Program to Durable Material Waste Stream Upcycling.

The three-day summit will cover the following General Sessions: Building on Past Success & Other Waste Streams, Established Programs in Fiberglass Recycling & Shrinkwrap Recycling, and Emerging Programs & Marinas and Sustainable Waste Management. Attendees will hear from 30 non-profit, government, recycling and academic leaders each with their own presentation on abandoned and derelict vessels (ADVs) and boating-related marine waste management solutions. Registrants will also have an opportunity to analyze, discuss and reflect at the end of each day with fellow virtual summit attendees. Ten featured Turning the Tide Speakers include:

Shaun Tomson - Environmentalist, World Champion Surfer, Author, Motivational Speaker 

Chloé Dubois - Executive Director, Ocean Legacy Foundation 

Jennifer Lynch - Biologist, National Institute of Standards and Technology 

Troy Wood - Program Manager, Derelict Vessel Removal Program, Aquatic Resources Division Washington State Department of Natural Resources 

Brian Dursi - Executive Director, Rhode Island Marine Trade Association  

Donna Morrow - Program Manager, Center for Marine and Coastal Stewardship, Maryland Department of Natural Resources 

Tracey Coe - Coordinator, Ohio Department of Natural Resources 

Sarah Orlando - Program Manager, Ohio Clean Marinas, Ohio Sea Grant 

David Morgan - Chief Strategy Officer, Carbon Rivers 

Wie Yusuf - Professor, Strom College of Business at Old Dominion University  

“Boating-related waste is an issue that affects all communities and this unique summit will spark meaningful conversations to protect our waters for years to come,” said BoatUS Foundation Director of Outreach Alanna Keating. “We hope to share best practices and innovative ideas in addressing waste streams like fiberglass. Our goal of this exciting agenda of inspiring speakers will lead to greater collaboration and actionable next steps to move the industry forward.”

This first-of-its-kind summit is made possible by a four-year, $10 million grant from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Marine Debris Program with funding provided by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The funding is also fueling a national competitive grant program for the removal of abandoned and derelict vessels (ADVs), and the creation of a first-of-its-kind national database to pinpoint locations of ADVs and track their removal. 

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Speakers have been announced for a global conversation on sustainable boating-related waste management solutions at the first “Turning the Tide Online” virtual summit, hosted by BoatUS Foundation, to be held Feb. 25-27, 2025.  https://bit.ly/4jsyAzX  #cleanwater #cleanwaterways #marinedebris #fishingdebris #ghostnets #wastestreamdiversion

About the BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water:

BoatUS Foundation is leading a nationally competitive grant program for the removal sof abandoned and derelict vessels throughout coastal and marine areas of the United States, including the Great Lakes, U.S. territories, and Freely Associated States. This project is supported by the NOAA Marine Debris Program with funding provided by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. In an effort to help educate and prevent future ADVs, the Foundation will also create a national ADV database to track the scope of the challenge and measure success, document ADV prevention and removal activities to share with the public, and support a national dialogue and education efforts on boating-related debris disposal. Learn more about the Marine Debris Program by visiting marinedebris.noaa.gov.