My program works with state, regional, and local partners to develop policies to address several types of marine debris while developing educational materials to promote environmental consciousness among the public about the problem of plastic waste and other litter that finds its way into Virginia's waterways and the ocean. While I've been tasked with helping implement several parts of the Virginia Marine Debris Reduction Plan, my specialty to date has been leading a stakeholder work group to develop recommendations to address abandoned and derelict vessels (ADVs). Much of this effort has focused on the removal of vessels, but more professional training on how to educate and persuade the public to responsibly dispose of vessels in the first place is needed.