PPPP Webinar

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Tuesday June 3, 2025​​​​​​​
A Virtual Event for All

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. 

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

     See final agenda here

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

     CEDRE Pellet Response Guide

     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

     Operation Clean Sweep

     Resource Library | OSRL (including the Plastics Guide when it is published)

     FIDRA Nurdle Spill Log

     FIDRA Global Nurdle Pollution Map

    FIDRA Nurdle Hunt

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:

  1. How do we determine PPPP trajectories (on water, on shore, buried)? How do we include/access/develop modeling?
  2. How do we deploy technologies to detect PPPP (both on water and shore)? 
  3. What kinds of assets/technologies are needed for cleanup (both on water and shore)?
  4. 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

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