marine debris awareness grant application summary
TRANSCRIPT
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PROJECT SUMMARY
Applicant Organization: Pacific Whale Foundation
Project Title: Informing, educating and involving the public in marine debris awareness and
policy: implementation of tobacco free beaches and parks legislation
Principle Investigators:
Jens Currie, M.Sc., Senior Research Analyst Greg Kaufman, Chief Scientist and
300 Ma’alaea Road, Suite 211 Founder of the Pacific Whale Foundation
Wailuku, HI 96793 [email protected]
Office: 808-856-8338 Cell: 808.283.7704
Cell: 808.990.5544
Project Description:
In April 2014, Maui County passed a tobacco free beaches and parks bill that prohibits the use of
tobacco products, including cigarette smoking, in designated County areas. Environmental
organizations, including Pacific Whale Foundation (PWF), supported the bill as a way to reduce
the amount of cigarette butt litter in the environment, particularly along Maui’s coastlines. More
recently, the state of Hawai‘i passed a similar policy that pertains to State beaches and parks.
Cigarette butts represent the most common type of litter, and a number of coastal municipalities
have passed similar bills to decrease cigarette butt litter.
PWF recently completed a study that found that the passing of a tobacco free beaches bill had
little immediate impact on the amount of tobacco related products found on beaches before and
after the bill was passed. This was in contrast to the ban on plastic grocery bags implemented in
2011, which has had significant impacts, as no plastic bags were recorded in this study.
Implementation of the tobacco free beaches bill relies on the consumer and local enforcement
and is therefore more difficult to implement.
While it may take longer for the bill to achieve its desired results, PWF proposes to implement a
holistic, public awareness campaign from August 2016 to August 2017 that combines legislation
implementation with public outreach and engagement.
Each year PWF hosts the Maui Whale Festival and 36 years these activities have benefitted Maui
County residents, youth, businesses, and visitors in a multitude of ways. This festival has brought
the community together, including the private sector, heightened our tourism activity as an
annual destination, served as an economic engine for the local economy, and spread the message
of protecting the environment and the natural beauty of Maui to all corners of the world. PWF
will utilize the Maui Whale Festival and regular eco-tour operations to educate the public on
marine debris issues and tobacco free parks and beaches legislation. PWF generates needed
proceeds through educational whale watches and ocean eco-tours which help to fund our
research, education and conservation programs. However, these funds alone are not sufficient
for implementation of new marine debris and tobacco awareness campaign.
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Geographic Scope: Maui, Hawaii
Outcomes and Timeline:
PWF hopes to change public attitude and effect behaviors to reduce marine debris, specifically,
the number of cigarette butts on Maui beaches by utilizing PWF’s ability to interact with the
public through various outreach and educational activities.
August 2016- October 2016
Development of a Marketing Strategy- collateral materials to be distributed to hotels,
visitor industry organizations, public notice boards, concierge stations, airport, radio,
newspaper and PSAs and other areas frequented by visitors and the community.
Strengthening and further development of strategic partnerships for collaboration with
these activities and convene meetings to discuss awareness campaign. Confirmed partners
include: (1) Coalition for a Tobacco Free Hawaii, (2) Maui Hotel and Lodging
Associations, (3) Hui Malama Learning Center, (4) Kamehameha Schools.
Invitations will be sent to industry representatives, including the four groups named above
and boaters, fishing industry, watershed groups, youth groups, American Cancer Society,
state and local agencies, and our local university to participate in World Whale Day 2017.
November 2016 – February 2017
Questionnaires will be collected at World Whale Day 2017, additional activities during the
Maui Whale season, and SurveyMonkey to assess and receive feedback from the public
about their understanding of tobacco free beaches legislation.
During whale season naturalist outreach stations are hosted by PWF and located throughout
the southern Maui coastline. These stations frequently reach between 400-600 persons per
station per day.
Attendance at community tabling events
August 2016 – August 2017
Circulate surveys every 2 months to public though project partners and PWF members to
assess change in publics knowledge of marine debris and tobacco free beaches and parks
legislation throughout the proposed public awareness campaign.
Information will be provided to youth (K-12) through our education programs such as the
Keiki Whale Watches and Ocean Camp. (Approximately 1900 participants from Maui
schools annually.)
Our Volunteering on Vacation program can further support our efforts through beach
clean-ups.
Work with current partners in developing opportunities relay conservation messages to the
public.
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PROJECT NARRATIVE
1.0 DESCRIPTION
The overall goal of this project is to raise awareness and provide educational materials on the
issues surrounding marine debris with a focus on tobacco products. To achieve this, Pacific
Whale Foundation (PWF) will use its public platforms to implement a robust public outreach
strategy. These methods include presentation and distribution of educational materials: (1) at
three strategically placed naturalist information stations; (2) on all eco-tour cruises; (3) all keiki
whale watches and ocean camps; (4) at community tabling events; (5) PWF’s annual whale
festival including world whale day.
Marine debris is a serious concern for coastal communities across the world. Not only does
marine debris pose considerable threat to marine life, biodiversity, and ecosystems, but
additionally impacts human health, safety, and local and national economies. (Sheavly and
Register, 2007; Gregory, 2009; Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (SCBD),
2012). Marine debris can further translate into loss of tourism revenue and recreation value, as
well as affect coastal industries such as shipping and commercial fishing (Sheavly and Register,
2007; SCBD, 2012). Overall, plastics, which include cigarette butts, are considered the most
common type of marine debris, with recent studies estimating the amount of plastic currently in
the ocean at 5.25 trillion particles (Eriksen et al., 2014). Buoyant, lightweight, and slow to
degrade, plastics have the ability to travel thousands of miles on ocean currents and can be
deposited even on remote, uninhabited shorelines (Slip and Burton, 1991; Barnes, 2002;
Morishige et al., 2007).
Cigarette butts constitute a large portion of plastic waste, with an estimated 4.5 trillion butts
discarded per year globally (Mackay et al., 2006; Hamady et al., 2013). Discarded cigarette butts
leach chemicals, including arsenic, nicotine, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and heavy
metals, into nearby environments. These chemicals collectively referred to as leachates can be
toxic to organisms residing within the immediate habitat (Slaughter et al., 2011).
In addition to driving ocean-based tourism and the economy, Maui's nearshore habitat
contains extensive coral reef systems that are home to various species of marine life including
the endangered Hawaiian monk seal, the threatened Hawaiian green sea turtle, and endangered
breeding and mating humpback whales. The reduction of debris, including cigarette butts, from
these areas is crucial for the well-being of the surrounding ecosystems, and the following
benefits and positive environmental consequences can be expected:
Healthier coastal and marine ecosystems.
A reduction in coastal and ocean debris.
Enhanced understanding of conservation measures/policies intended to protect living
marine resources.
Beautification of beaches.
Improved economies derived from tourism, recreation, and fishing.
Safer beach conditions for human users.
Improved education and outreach about less understood marine debris issues.
Implementation of the tobacco free beaches and parks policy relies heavily on local
enforcement along with a shift in well-established social norms. Pacific Whale Foundation
proposes to utilize an innovative holistic education and outreach approach to effectively
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implement the new policy encouraging behavioral change. This approach will combine
legislation implementation through public outreach and education as well as industry
engagement through enhanced understanding of marine debris and human behavior. These
activities include:
a) Outreach Stations: PWF will incorporate material on marine debris and legislation
awareness campaign at three naturalist outreach stations located along Maui’s coast:
Papawai Point and Wailea Beach (December to April) and Ulua Beach Park (year-round).
Naturalists manning the stations will teach the public about issues surrounding marine
debris and provide education outreach materials relating to this campaign.
b) Educational Eco-Tours: PWF will display and share information on marine debris issues
and legislation carrying out the proposed awareness campaign on all eco-tour vessels
departing daily from Lahaina and Ma’alaea Harbors.
c) PWF Ocean Stores: PWF will display educational information on proposed marine debris
and legislation awareness campaign at ocean stores in Ma’alaea and Lahaina.
d) Keiki Whale Watches: PWF will incorporate proposed marine debris and legislation
awareness campaign into its “keiki” whale watches and ocean camps.
e) Project Partners: PWF will work with project partners to develop awareness campaigns
that align with the partnering organization’s members and activities.
f) Printed Materials - Brochures, Factsheets, and Signs: PWF will design and develop
informational materials in multiple languages to be shared with the general public year-
round, as well as during the Maui Whale Festival, to effectively share the proposed marine
debris and legislation awareness campaign.
g) Social Media and Email: PWF will use its social media accounts and members listserv to
share and encourage informational exchange and interactions with its followers/members
on the proposed public awareness campaign.
h) Displays and Exhibits: PWF will develop exhibits, posters, and informational displays to
distribute to project partners and during key events at the Maui Whale Festival.
i) Public Service Announcements (PSAs): To target visitors to Maui beyond PWF guests,
short messages, audio and/or video will be shared with local media that relay the proposed
marine debris and legislation awareness campaign.
j) Curriculum Development (Ocean Camp): PWF will develop new curriculum for their
ocean camp program, which will raise awareness on issues surrounding marine debris and
proposed campaign.
k) Debris Removal Activities: PWF will incorporate monthly naturalist-led beach clean-ups
into its current citizen scientist Volunteer-On-Vacation program to include an educational
and outreach focus around the proposed awareness campaign. Volunteers will be given a
presentation before each clean up detailing information on the proposed marine debris and
legislation awareness campaign.
l) Press Releases: PWF will write press releases to help expand audience reach and share the
proposed marine debris and legislation awareness message.
2.0 ISSUE AND AREA OF CONCERN
In April 2014, Maui County passed a tobacco free beaches and parks bill (Maui County,
Ordinance 4120, Bill 24, 2014) that prohibits the use of tobacco products, including cigarette
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smoking, in designated County areas. Environmental organizations, including PWF, supported
the bill as a way to reduce the amount of cigarette butt litter in the environment, particularly
along Maui’s coastlines. More recently, the state of Hawai‘i passed a similar policy that pertains
to State beaches and parks. Cigarette butts represent the most common type of litter, and a
number of coastal municipalities have passed similar bills to decrease cigarette butt litter.
In a recent study, however, PWF found that the passing of a “tobacco free beaches” bill had
little immediate impact on the amount of tobacco-related products found on Maui’s beaches,
both before and after the bill was passed (Blickley et al., 2016). This was in contrast to the ban
on plastic grocery bags implemented in 2011, which has had significant impacts as no plastic
bags were recorded in this study. Implementation of the “tobacco free beaches” bill will rely on
informing and educating the public on the harm cigarette butts pose to the marine environment
which, in conjunction with law enforcement, should see a reduction in cigarette butts.
A number of the collected debris items (cigarette butts, straws, and fishing line) have local
origins and contribute significantly to local debris loads. A reduction in the debris loads of these
items requires the implementation of local, community-based mitigation strategies that serve to
remove debris, increase public awareness, involve local businesses, improve public education,
and guide future policies.
3.0 TARGET AUDIENCE
Effectively carrying out the proposed educational message will require an all-encompassing
approach engaging all age groups of the public and various sectors of the industry. Pacific Whale
Foundation is uniquely situated to carry out the proposed message utilizing its current programs
and activities. The proposed campaign will effectively reach the following target audiences:
a) Tourists and Residents: PWF’s marine naturalists are stationed at three locations along
Maui’s coasts designed to engage the public. Naturalists answer any questions on marine
life, local geography, and natural history as well as provide reference materials for
additional reading. Incorporation of the proposed marine debris and legislation awareness
campaign into each station has the potential to reach approximately 146,000 people/year.
PWF operates up to nine eco-tour vessels daily out of Lahaina and Ma’alaea
Harbors. Tours are based on more than three decades of marine research and ecotourism
experience and each vessel has a university educated marine naturalist onboard.
Incorporation of the proposed marine debris and legislation awareness campaign into the
educational material aboard PWF Eco-Adventure vessels has the potential to reach
approximately 250,000 people/year.
Each year PWF hosts the Maui Whale Festival, and for 36 years these activities
have benefitted Maui County residents, youth, businesses, and visitors in a multitude of
ways. The festival is designed to bring the community together, including the private
sector, heighten our tourism activity as an annual destination, serve as an economic
engine for the local economy, and spread the message of protecting the environment and
the natural beauty of Maui. Incorporation of the proposed marine debris and legislation
awareness campaign to Maui’s 2017 Whale Festival has the potential to reach
approximately 18,000 people.
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PWF’s partnership with the Maui Hotel and Lodging association will be used to
disseminate materials from the proposed public awareness campaign to its membership
database containing approximately 20,000 individuals/associations.
PWF has recently partnered with Oceanic Time Warner cable and they have
requested 5 public service announcements (PSAs) to be broadcast on their stations. One
such PSA will contain the proposed public awareness campaign to be distributed to all
their viewers. Please note, this partnership is still being negotiated, as such, this
deliverable is likely but cannot be guaranteed.
PWF will also ensure appropriate community tabling events are attended to
further carry out the message and engage local members of the public.
b) K-12 Students: PWF hosts keiki whale watches and ocean camps designed to educate
students by providing learning based fieldtrips for Maui’s schools. Incorporation of the
proposed marine debris and legislation awareness campaign into curriculum could reach
approximately 1900 students/year.
c) PWF Members: PWF’s Facebook page has approximately 265,000 followers, and is
utilized as a platform for sharing relevant information about PWF’s mission to audiences
throughout the world. This page will be used to share the proposed marine debris and
legislation awareness message with its followers.
PWF has a listserv of approximately 83,000 individuals from all over the world
who have opted to receive regular updates from the foundation. PWF will use this
resource to share the proposed marine debris and legislation awareness campaign.
d) Project Partners: Coalition for a Tobacco Free Hawaii – will work with youth and the
local community to share the proposed marine debris and legislation awareness
campaign. Maui Hotel and Lodging Association – will share the proposed marine debris
and legislation awareness campaign with its membership database, which includes local
hotels and accommodations. Maui Hui Malama Learning Center and Kamehameha
Schools – will host classes to educate youth on the proposed marine debris and legislation
awareness campaign.
4.0 OBJECTIVES AND GOALS
Long Term Objectives and Goals
Educate the public on issues relating to marine debris and the tobacco free beaches and parks
bill. To effectively implement change, the public must first understand the need for a reduction
in marine debris through education of threats and issues. Through optimization of existing
programs, PWF will be able to develop a large scale outreach program directed at tourists and
residents utilizing Maui’s ocean resources. Removal of cigarette butts from Maui’s parks and
beaches is supported through regulations and policy, which in conjunction with the proposed
outreach campaign has the potential to affect change.
Reduce the amount of marine debris and cigarette butts on Maui’s coasts. The majority of marine
debris campaigns focus on “end-of-pipe” solutions, which often fail to address the underlying
cause. Through the proposed education and public awareness campaign, PWF hopes to change
the public’s perception on items that can become marine debris and promote implementation of
preventative practices.
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Short Term Objectives and Goals
Provide the public with access to information on current marine debris issues and the newly
implemented “tobacco free beaches and parks” bill. This will be done through development of
educational materials which are to be distributed to hotels, visitor industry organizations, public
notice boards, and concierge stations.
Assess the public’s understanding of marine debris threat and knowledge of the “tobacco free
beaches and parks” bill by issuing of questionnaire.
Expand citizen scientist led beach clean-up efforts through promotion of PWF’s Volunteer On
Vacation program raise awareness of marine debris and tobacco free beaches and parks
regulations.
5.0 OUTCOME MEASURES
Project outcome will be measured utilizing two methods:
(i) Questionnaire
A questionnaire will be administered during Maui Whale Festival events including World
Whale Day in February 2016 designed to assess the public’s understanding of marine
debris, particularly the tobacco free beaches and parks bill, regardless of if this proposal is
approved. If approved, the same questionnaire will be re-administered during world whale
day in February 2017 and results will be compared to the 2016 survey. To encourage public
participation, individuals who complete the survey will be entered to win a free
whalewatch with PWF Eco-Adventures. The questionnaire will be designed using only
closed-ended questions to allow for objective evaluation of participants’ responses before
and after the public awareness campaign. In addition to sharing a hard copy at Maui Whale
Festival events, an electronic survey will be generated using SurveyMonkey and shared
with PWF members following the same timeline mentioned previously. A copy of the
questionnaire has been submitted with the supplementary information.
(ii) Tracking participants
To quantify the total number of individuals reached by the public awareness campaign,
PWF will track the number of participants from August 2016 – August 2017 that are
involved in the following outreach events/activities: (1) three naturalist information
stations; (2) all PWF Eco-Adventures cruises (3) all keiki whalewatches and ocean camps;
(4) all community tabling events; (5) PWF’s annual World Whale Day.
(iii) Tracking behavioral changes
To assess the public’s behavioral changes as they relate to the proposed public awareness
campaign PWF will issue a survey every 2 months. The survey will be designed using only
closed-ended questions to allow for objective evaluation of participants’ responses before
during and after the public awareness campaign. Questions will be adapted from the
attached World Whale Day questionnaire to specifically target changes in the public’s
perspective resulting from the proposed public awareness campaign.
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(iv) Student portfolio
Student portfolios will be created with project partners Kamehameha Schools and Maui
Hui Malama learning center to assess the development of knowledge from the proposed
awareness campaign. Critical thinking exercises will be used to determine how the
proposed awareness campaign can implement behavioral change in students.
(v) Tracking debris removal efforts
PWF’s citizen scientist Volunteer-On-Vacation program will be used to document the type
and number of debris items, including cigarette butts, collected during the proposed
awareness campaign. A sample datasheet, containing a list of beaches that have been
cleaned in the past by citizen scientists, has been submitted as supplementary information.
6.0 PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION TIMELINE WITH MIELESTONES
This public awareness campaign will initially be run for a 12 month period (August 2016 –
August 2017), after which the outcomes will be assessed and the established public awareness
campaign will be maintained within the daily operations of PWF.
Table 1: Marine Debris Public Awareness Campaign Timeline
Milestones
August 2016 – August 2017
1st Qtr 2
nd Qtr 3
rd Qtr 4
th Qtr
Develop marketing strategy and create collateral materials X
Discuss strategies with established partners X
Invite key industry as well as state and local agencies to world whale day X
Incorporate materials into existing curriculum for keiki whale watches
and ocean camp X
Develop opportunities to relay marine debris awareness message through
partners X X X
Complete second questionnaire X
Re-focus initial campaign if necessary based on questionnaire outcome X
Circulate surveys to assess behavioral change X X X X
Provide educational materials at three outreach stations X X X
Attend community tabling events X X X
Teach youth (K-12) about marine debris prevention through ocean camp
and whale watches X X X
Incorporate beach clean-ups into volunteer on vacation program X X X X
7.0 ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE
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The focus of proposed activities is to raise awareness on issues relating to marine debris, with an
emphasis on the recently implemented “tobacco free beaches and parks” policy. Increasing
knowledge and encouraging behavioral change has the potential for indirect environmental
benefits, through increased understanding of marine debris issues and threats. The activities
outlined in this proposal are not known to cause adverse environmental impact. With the
exception of beach clean-up, activities do not involve direct interactions or alterations with the
environment. Activities taking place outside, such as presentations or outreach events, are held in
places regularly frequented by the general public and will be conducted in accordance with
applicable laws for site use.
8.0 ORGANIZATION STRUCTURE
Pacific Whale Foundation is a non-profit organization founded in 1980 with a mission to protect
our oceans through science and advocacy. If funded, the research department at PWF will have
oversight responsibility for this grant. Within PWF, the research department is responsible for
disseminating the foundation’s education and conservation messages from recent scientific
findings including those generated from their research projects. The senior research analyst
works closely with the chief scientist to ensure their research provides the scientific information
needed to substantiate the need for protection and legislation relevant to PWF’s mission. Results
from PWF’s research are shared with the (1) lead staff coordinator for dissemination to all
marine naturalists who interact with and educate the public; and (2) youth education specialist
for incorporation into curriculum used to teach the young minds that will be tomorrow’s voters
and decision makers.
8.1 PROJECT STAFF
Resumes of all project staff listed below have been included as supplemental materials.
Principal Investigators:
Jens Currie, M.Sc., Senior Research Analyst, Pacific Whale Foundation
Jens has completed a B.Sc. Honors and M.Sc. in Biology at Memorial University of
Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. He currently manages Maui research projects at
Pacific Whale Foundation. Previously he has worked for Fisheries and Oceans Canada as a
physical scientist completing ecosystem based modeling and as a marine biologist
researching community dependence on estuarine ecosystem goods and services in developing
regions of South Africa. He has substantial experience in project management, including
successful grant applications and projects. He has a strong passion for understanding impacts
of marine debris and linking physical observations to observed biological changes.
Jens will act as lead PI and work closely with the chief scientist, Greg Kaufman to ensure
effective project management.
Greg Kaufman, Chief Scientist and Founder, Pacific Whale Foundation
Greg founded Pacific Whale Foundation in 1980 and committed the organization to
educating the public, from a scientific perspective, about the marine environment. Greg
oversees all research projects conducted by Pacific Whale Foundation in Maui, Australia, and
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Ecuador. He has substantial experience in public education and outreach, introducing
countless programs to Maui residents and tourists, encouraging interest in marine science to
all ages of the public. Greg pioneered several educational and outreach programs,
recognizing the public’s role in implementing protective laws and policies.
Greg will work closely with the main PI, Jens Currie, to ensure education and outreach
messages are effectively presented and communicated to all audiences.
Co-Investigators
Robyn Ehrlich, Youth Education Specialist, Pacific Whale Foundation
Robyn has five years of teaching and outreach experience within various organizations and
schools where she worked with students and adults of all ages. Robyn is the youth education
specialist at Pacific Whale Foundation and previously worked as a teacher at Kihei Charter
School. She has substantial experience in curriculum development and implementation with a
focus on educational outreach planning.
Robin will develop new curriculum with the proposed marine debris and legislation
awareness campaign for Pacific Whale Foundation’s youth educational programs, which
include Keiki Whale Watches and Ocean Camps.
Morgan Wittmer, Operations Manager/Staff Director, Pacific Whale Foundation
Morgan has five years of outreach and education experience as a marine naturalist and is
currently supervisor for all vessel/education staff. She holds a B.Sc. from the University of
Colorado and an M.Sc. in Biology from Florida Atlantic University. She has substantial
experience in effectively communicating education and conservation messages to all ages of
the public.
Morgan will ensure the proposed marine debris and legislation awareness campaign is
effectively communicated all vessel and outreach staff running Pacific Whale Foundation
Eco-Adventure’s eco-tours and outreach stations.
Jill Wirt, Naturalist, Pacific Whale Foundation
Jill has three years of conservation and educational experience and is a marine naturalist at
Pacific Whale Foundation. She holds and B.Sc. in Environmental Studies from the San Diego
State University. She has a strong passion for conservation and education, with a particular
interest in marine debris. She worked with Pacific Whale Foundation’s research and
conservation department on their study quantifying drivers and trends of Maui’s coastal
debris, the results of which form the foundation of this proposal.
Jill will work with Morgan to ensure effective delivery of the proposed marine debris and
legislation awareness campaign to all passengers on Pacific Whale Foundation Eco-
Adventure’s eco-tours. She will also help with community tabling events and Maui Whale
Festival activities as they relate to this proposal.
Project Partners
Coalition for a Tobacco-Free Hawaii - Letter of support attached.
The Maui Hotel and Lodging Associations – Letter of support attached.
Maui Hui Malama Learning Center – Letter of support attached.
Kamehameha Schools – Letter of support attached
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If funded, PWF will continue to solicit more organizations to help with the proposed
outreach campaign.
9.0 COMMUNICATION PLAN
Table 3: Communication Plan of Project Deliverables
Deliverable/Description Delivery Frequency Communication Method
Project Kickoff – Inform public of
project and expected deliverables
August 2016 Sharing project details through social media, PSAs,
and press release.
Project Plan – Discuss project
implementation with staff and
partners
August 2016
(continued as needed)
Sit-down discussion.
Project activities – Inform people of
project activities
As needed Share upcoming events through social media, PWF
website, outreach stations, and distribute printed
materials.
Project Accomplishments – Update
public on achieved milestones
As needed Share accomplishments through social media, PWF
website, outreach stations, and press releases.
Project Closeout – Summarize
project findings and outcomes
August 2017 Final document to be shared with partners, PWF
members, and any interested parties.
REFERENCES
Barnes, D.K.A., 2002. Invasions by marine life on plastic debris. Nature 416, 808-809.
Blickley, L.C., Currie, J.C., Kaufman, G.D. 2016. Trends and drivers of debris accumulation on
Maui shorelines: Implications for local mitigation strategies. Marine Pollution Bulletin
105: 292–298.
Eriksson, C., Burton, H., Fitch, S., Schulz, M., Van den Hoff, J., 2013. Daily accumulation rates
of marine debris on sub-Antarctic island beaches. Mar. Pollut. Bull. 66, 199-208.
Gregory, M.R., 2009. Environmental implications of plastic debris in marine settings -
entanglement, ingestion, smothering, hangers-on, hitch-hiking and alien invasions.
Philos. Trans. R. Soc. Lond. B. 364, 2013-2025.
Hamady, D., Rajasaygar, S., Ahmad, A.H. et al. 2013. Turning cigarette butt waste into an
alternative control tool against an insecticide-resistant mosquito vector. Acta tropica
128.3, 584-590.
Mackay, J., Eriksen, M., Shafey, O., 2006. The Tobacco Atlas, 2nd ed. American Cancer
Society, Brighton, UK.
Morishige, C., Donohue, M.J., Flint, E., Swenson, C., Woolaway, C., 2007. Factors affecting
marine debris deposition at French Frigate Shoals, Northwestern Hawaiian Island Marine
National Monument, 1990-2006. Mar. Pollut. Bull. 54, 1162-1169.
Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (SCBD) and the Scientific and Technical
Advisory Panel—GEF, 2012. Impacts of marine debris on biodiversity: current status and
potential solutions. Technical Series No. 67, 61.
Sheavly, S.B., Register, K.M., 2007. Marine debris & plastics: environmental concerns, sources,
impacts and solutions. J. Polym. Environ. 15, 301-305.
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Slaughter, E., Gersberg, R.M., Watanabe, K., Rudolph, J., Stransky, C., and Novotny, T.E. 2011.
Toxicity of cigarette butts, and their chemical components, to marine and freshwater fish.
Tobacco Control 20. Suppl 1. 25-29.
Slip, D.J., Burton, H.R., 1991. Accumulation of fishing debris, plastic litter, and other artefacts,
on Heard and Macquarie Islands in the Southern Ocean. Environ. Conserv. 18, 249-254.
DATA SHARING PLAN
The grant proposal entitled, Informing, Educating, and Involving the Public in Marine Debris
Awareness and Policy, implemented by Pacific Whale Foundation (PWF) if funded, will
generate information on the public’s understanding of marine debris issues and how this relates
to the newly implemented tobacco free beaches and parks legislation. The general public will be
surveyed before during and after the public awareness campaign. The survey will provide
information on the efficacy of the proposed marine debris awareness campaign, by assessing
participant’s basic knowledge, through answering of five questions as outlined in project
proposal, before and after public outreach campaign.
Data will also be collected on the total number of participants reached during the proposed
public awareness campaign. The number of participants attending naturalist stations, eco-tour
cruises, keiki whale watches and ocean camps, community tabling events, beach clean-ups and
PWF’s annual world whale day will be recorded regularly to track attendance. Metrics on the
total number of beaches cleaned and the amount and type of debris removed will also be
recorded.
Data will be managed by the Research Department at PWF and initially collected on printed
datasheets and later transferred to electronic spreadsheets for storage and analysis. The collected
data and results of subsequent analyses will be available to the public upon request starting
September 2017. Contact Jens Currie at [email protected] for more information or to
make a data request. In the past, we have shared similar data through the PWF website, outreach
events, scientific committee reports, and peer-reviewed publications.