Center For Marine Debris Research

Hawai’i is an unfortunate hotspot for the global environmental crisis of plastic marine debris. Standardized scientific measurements are vital to investigate potential threats, document actual impacts, and to unlock solutions to this marine debris crisis. Immediate answers are needed to an incredibly wide range of basic and applied questions. The Center for Marine Debris Research (CMDR) takes on the responsibility of developing quality scientific methods and state-of-the-art technology for chemistry and exposure studies here in Hawai’i. CMDR is a partnership of Hawaii Pacific University's College of Natural and Computational Sciences (HPU CNCS), including the faculty and students in the Masters of Science in Marine Science, and the National Institute of Standards and Technology’s (NIST) Chemical Sciences Division. CMDR develops and applies optimal methods to investigate the sources, transport, fate, and impacts of plastic marine debris. CMDR also disseminates this knowledge to inform management and stimulate ocean stewardship. The ultimate goal of all activities of the CMDR is a trash-free ocean. To this end, the CMDR's objectives are to: • Bring together scientists to develop standards and collaborations. • Train the next generation of marine debris scientists and advocates. • Stimulate public awareness and engagement in marine debris reduction. • Provide policymakers with scientific data to underpin marine debris legislation.