Registration Opens for ‘Turning the Tide Online’ Virtual Summit to Examine Solutions for Boating Industry Generated Waste, Feb. 25 27

SPRINGFIELD, Va., Dec. 9, 2024 -- Registration is now open for the BoatUS Foundation's "Turning the Tide Online" virtual summit, scheduled for February 25-27, 2025, with a focus on seeking and sharing responsible and sustainable disposal practices of boating-related waste. Early bird pricing of $50 for general admission, $25 for nonprofit and government employees, and $5 for students, is available to attendees who sign up before December 31. Register at BoatUS.org/turningthetide

The three-day summit will give attendees an opportunity to come together to share their thoughts about existing and emerging technologies and best practices for responsible and sustainable disposal of boating-related waste streams. Topics include disposal of fiberglass, shrinkwrap, pyrotechnic flares and fishing gear.

Event participation is open to members of the boating industry, waste stream managers, academics, government officials, as well as individuals and organizations.

Shaun Tomson, a surfing icon, environmentalist, award-winning filmmaker, businessperson, author and former board member/first ambassador of the Surfrider Foundation, which is dedicated to protecting the world's oceans, waves and beaches, will serve as keynote speaker and kick off this event for the BoatUS Foundation.

At the summit,Tomson will speak to his "Surfer's Code" that incorporates 12 simple lessons for riding through life, applying those principles to the challenge of boating waste stream management. Named by Surfer Magazine as one of the 10 greatest surfers of all time and a staunch advocate for ocean conservation, Tomson's high-impact and transformational self-development program will focus on the power of purpose to improve well-being, engagement and performance. Additional conference speakers are expected to be announced later this month.

"Boating-related waste is an issue that affects all communities and this unique summit will spark meaningful conversations to protect our waters for years to come. We hope to uncover best practices in industries such as agriculture, construction, packaging, waste management and recycling, fishing, wind power or any industry that may have an impact on these waste streams," said BoatUS Foundation Director of Outreach Alanna Keating. "We're really looking to advance actionable solutions."

This first-of-its-kind summit is made possible by a four-year, $10 million grant from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Marine Debris Programwith funding provided by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The funding is also fueling a national competitive grant program for the removal of abandoned and derelict vessels (ADVs), and the creation of a first-of-its-kind national database to pinpoint locations of ADVs and track their removal.

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Registration is now open to join the global conversation for sustainable boating-related waste management solutions at the first "Turning the Tide Online" virtual summit, hosted by BoatUS Foundation, to be held Feb. 25-27, 2025. https://bit.ly/3ZKSUVd #cleanwater #cleanwaterways #marinedebris #fishingdebris #ghostnets #wastestreamdiversion

BoatUS Foundationis leading a nationally competitive grant program for the removal of abandoned and derelict vessels throughout coastal and marine areas of the United States, including the Great Lakes, U.S. territories, and Freely Associated States. This project is supported by the NOAA Marine Debris Program with funding provided by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. In an effort to help educate and prevent future ADVs, the Foundation will also create a national ADV database to track the scope of the challenge and measure success, document ADV prevention and removal activities to share with the public, and support a national dialogue and education efforts on boating-related debris disposal. Learn more about the Marine Debris Program by visiting marinedebris.noaa.gov.