Tuesday June 3, 2025
A Virtual Event
This virtual webinar hosted by the University of New Hampshire's, Coastal Response Research Center is made possible through the partnership with NOAA's Office of Response and Restoration (OR&R), Disaster Preparedness Program (DPP) and the Disaster Response Center. This informational webinar session will delve into PPPP/Nurdle response as follow-up to the previous workshop held in 2023.
Final Report
Pre-Production Plastic Pellets (PPPP) Virtual Webinar report - Coastal Response Research Center (released September 2025)
Objectives
- Improve and enhance collaboration among responders and researchers for PPPP incidents;
- Evaluate recent (since 2023 workshop) PPPP case studies for challenges and lessons learned;
- Explore operational response guidelines/recommendations for response to PPPP incidents (e.g., clean up levels, technologies, procedures);
- Review recent research (since 2023 workshop) relevant to PPPP fate and behavior, detection, response, and impacts;
- Discuss next steps.
Agenda
The Zoom link to join this virtual webinar on June 3 is available here>>
Presentations
Background & Webinar Goals, Nancy Kinner, Coastal Response Research Center
Review of PPPP: What is it and Why is it a Problem?, Jessica Conway, NOAA OR&R Marine Debris Program
Topic: Current Response Guidelines
Incident Management (IMO) and CEDRE Response Guidelines – Camille Lacroix, CEDRE
Plastic Pellets Field Guide – Marta Januszewska & Michael Hernandez, OSRL
Topic: Case Studies of PPPP Incidents - Lessons Learned
Pollution response to the Stena Immaculate/Solong Incident (2025) - Lessons Learned – Josh Doran, Oracle Environmental & Jack Shears-Burge, MCA
Spanish Toconao Cargo Ship Spill in Spain (2023: Numerical Modeling and Lessons Learned – Ana J. Abascal, IHCantabria, Environmental Hydraulics Institute of the University of Cantabria
Topic: Modeling & Detection of Spilled PPPP
Strengths and Weaknesses in the Identification of Marine Plastics Spills by Satellite and Drone – Lauren Bierman, University of Plymouth and Plymouth Marine Laboratory (UK)
Topic: Industry Perspectives/Interactions
Exxon PPPP Producer in Gulf Coast (LA) Safety Protocols – John Hale, Exxon (no powerpoint)
Cedre/Industry Interactions – Kevin Tallec, CEDRE
Operation Clean Sweep – Patrick Krieger, Sustainability, Plastics Industry Association
Topic: PPPP Spill Prevention and Response
Developments to Prevent PPPP Spills – Falco Martin, Fauna and Flora
Injury Assessment – Dan Takaki, NOAA OR&R
Clean Up End Points – Pippa Howarth, ITOPF
Topic: Research Updates
Plastic Pellet Research – Jace Tunnell, Harte Research Institute, Texas A&M University, Corpus Christi)
Research on PPPP in the Marine Environment – Paul Walker, SOCOTEC Environmental Science
Closing Comments - Dana Tulis, USCG, Emergency Response, workshop steering committee member
Wrap Up - Troy Baker, NOAA OR&R ARD, CRRC co-director, workshop steering committee member
Resources
International Maritime Organization (IMO) Resource Website
Recommendations for the carriage of plastic pellets by sea
UK/Ireland Response Working Group
Impacts of Mixed Microplastics on Marine Life, ECO 4/29/2025
Regional Seas Convention on pellet loss prevention across the supply chain, OSPAR Action 52: Zero Pellt Loss in the Manufacturing Chain
Resource Library | OSRL (including the Plastics Guide when it is published)
FIDRA Global Nurdle Pollution Map
Wednesday, June 4, 2025
A Virtual Event: Breakout Group Discussion
Scenario-based, small group breakout group discussions will be conducted on June 4th (day 2) 9:00 am - 1:00 pm EST. RSVP's are required for this virtual breakout group event.
Agenda & discussion questions here>>
The Zoom link for breakout session here>>
Focus on Response Actions, breakout groups will discuss:
- How do we determine PPPP trajectories (on water, on shore, buried)? How do we include/access/develop modeling?
- How do we deploy technologies to detect PPPP (both on water and shore)?
- What kinds of assets/technologies are needed for cleanup (both on water and shore)?
- What are the technical gaps to achieving a successful response?
Steering Committee
- Nancy Kinner, Coastal Response Research Center, University of New Hampshire
- Troy Baker, NOAA OR&R Assessment and Restoration Division, Coastal Response Research Center
- Jessica Conway, NOAA OR&R Marine Debris Program
- Lisa DiPinto, Coastal Response Research Center
- Emily Setser, NOAA OR&R Disaster Preparedness Program, Disaster Response Center
- Dan Takaki, NOAA OR&R Assessment and Restoration Division
Dana Tulis, USCG Emergency Management
Questions? Please contact Kathy Mandsager
