2024 marked the kickoff of the Oregon Aquaculture Marine Debris Project! Over the past three months, we’ve been laying the groundwork for some exciting initiatives in 2025. Here’s a look at what’s been brewing since I joined the Surfrider team and how we’re preparing for the year ahead.
A Personal Transition: From Academia to Nonprofit
For the past decade, my world has revolved around lab work and scientific discovery—something that has always given me an adrenaline rush. But after a while, I realized I wanted to step away from the microscope and see where the science actually leads. How does it impact communities? How does it drive resilience? I used to talk about how my research would eventually help create a predictive indicator for hypoxic events along the coast, something that could help Oregon’s Dungeness crab industry adapt to climate change. But that felt far off, and I wanted to see what marine science could help accomplish right now.
So, I made the leap into nonprofit work and it’s been a whirlwind of fast-paced, on-the-ground action. The adrenaline rush is still there! Transitioning from experiments and data to working with communities, policymakers, and industry leaders has shown me the incredible power of science when it meets action. It’s just as thrilling to see how research can shape solutions and policy.
Above: In November, Surfrider Foundation Senior Policy Manager, Charlie Plybon, took us out on his boat for a field day, where Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Derek Wilson showed us how aging oyster docks are contributing to the breakdown of polystyrene and pollution in Yaquina Bay.
Research and Planning Phase
The past three months have been an exciting mix of learning and planning as I dive into the challenge of tackling polystyrene foam pollution from aquaculture operations in Yaquina Bay. While the intricacies of the aquaculture industry are new to me, my love for seafood and my family’s roots in ranching, restaurants, and produce distribution makes this role feel like a natural fit. It’s been fascinating to explore Oregon’s aquaculture industry—learning about harvesting methods, dock materials, and the regulatory landscape. Through engaging conversations with stakeholders across sectors, I’ve gained valuable insights into the opportunities and infrastructure challenges facing Oregon’s growing seafood market. Looking ahead to 2025, I’m excited to help develop creative solutions for a cleaner, more sustainable oyster industry in Oregon.
Left: Polystyrene docks, wrapped in thin white plastic, start to degrade with weathering, eventually breaking apart and becoming dislodged. Right: Foam found along a walking path next to a local oyster farm, where polystyrene breaks down and contaminates nearby wetlands.
2025 Foam Fighters Cleanup Series
We’re gearing up for our Foam Fighters Cleanup Series in 2025 with the Newport Chapter, an initiative to clear polystyrene foam from the riverbanks and nearby wetlands adjacent to aquaculture operations (shown above). With four cleanups planned and a fun punch card program to keep volunteers coming back, we're excited to build momentum toward a cleaner, foam-free Yaquina Bay.
2025 Friends Don’t Let Friends Eat Foam Campaign
We're also on track to launch our Friends Don’t Let Friends Eat Foam social media campaign after the New Year! This series will shine a spotlight on seafood sustainability and Oregon’s aquaculture farms that avoid using polystyrene foam in their oyster operations. We’ll also encourage consumers to think about where their seafood comes from and make choices that support the coast they want to protect and enjoy.
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A big shoutout to everyone involved in the Oregon Aquaculture Marine Debris Project so far!
I'm excited to keep driving change & making an impact with Surfrider in 2025 -- because the world is our oyster! 🌊🦪
