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Aquaculture Marine Debris Reduction Project

A collaborative initiative with the Oregon Sea Grant Natural Resource Policy Fellowship.

 

 

 

The Problem

Oyster aquaculture plays a vital role in Oregon’s coastal economy, but it comes with a challenge: marine debris. Specifically, polystyrene docks and floats used in oyster farming often break down and contribute to plastic pollution in our estuaries. As we work towards more sustainable aquaculture practices, it’s essential to address this issue and find effective solutions to reduce marine debris and protect our waterways.

 

From Dock to Debris
How expanded polystyrene (EPS) pollutes the aquatic environment
Stepwise EPS

Project News

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2025

Foam Logos (3)
Cleanup Series

Become a Foam Fighter!

Join us for 4 cleanups targeting polystyrene debris from oyster operations in Yaquina Bay.

Details coming soon!
Screenshot 2024-12-20 at 11.14.58 AM

Download our one-pager

Get an overview of the Aquaculture Marine Debris Reduction Project and its efforts to address polystyrene foam pollution.

This one-pager highlights the project's goals, current initiatives, and the challenges of reducing foam waste in Oregon. 

Read here

Lessons From Up North

Canada's Foam Free Solutions

In Oregon, floating foam docks must be encapsulated to prevent pollution, though enforcement has been inconsistent, and some farms still use non-compliant docks.

Canada, on the other hand, does not have a requirement for foam encapsulation but is actively working toward banning both encapsulated and unencapsulated foam in aquatic environments.

Alongside advocating for a ban, Canada has partnered with government funding agencies to assist in retrofitting foam docks, replacing them with more sustainable materials. This proactive strategy combines regulatory measures with financial incentives, fostering widespread change through collaboration and community-driven efforts for a better Canadian coastline.

Learn more in their recently released short film!