A Community Engaged Intern with USC Sea Grant examined marine debris release through data collection and comparison of marine debris type, location, abundance and size. The intern focused on identifying the sources of pollution and on the impacts of marine debris on the coastline. To illustrate the results, the intern created a StoryMap and shared it with community members, beachgoers and local leaders. These efforts resulted in the City of Oceanside approving the Marine Reduction Resolution and the “Skip the Stuff” ordinance in August 2021, which require that restaurants only distribute single-use plastics to their customers by request only, thus reducing the amount of single-use plastic waste.
Photo Credit: Daniela Loera, USC Sea Grant
Alt Text: Map of the Southern California coast where pollution sources were identified from an interactive StoryMap shared with community members.
