Newport & Aquidneck Island
A groundbreaking partnership with Clean Ocean Access deploying 4 Marina Trash Skimmers across Aquidneck Island, removing over 30,000 lbs of debris from Narragansett Bay.
The Challenge
Narragansett Bay, one of New England's most ecologically important estuaries, faced a growing marine debris crisis. Aquidneck Island, home to Newport and its world-renowned sailing community, was seeing increasing amounts of plastic waste and debris flowing through its harbors and into the open waters of the bay. Studies revealed that 60-70% of the debris was single-use plastic, highlighting a systemic pollution problem that manual cleanup efforts alone could not solve.
Clean Ocean Access (COA), a nonprofit directed by Dave McLaughlin, had been working to address marine debris through volunteer cleanup events and community education. But they recognized the need for a more consistent, automated solution that could work around the clock, complementing their volunteer programs and providing data to drive awareness and policy change.
The Solution
In August 2016, Clean Ocean Access partnered with KECO to install the first 2 Marina Trash Skimmer units at Perrotti Park in Newport Harbor. The results were immediate and dramatic: in the first 4 months alone, the 2 units collected 6,000 lbs of debris from the harbor waters.
Buoyed by these results, COA secured a $66,370 grant from 11th Hour Racing in 2017 to expand the program with 2 additional units. The new skimmers were deployed at Melville Marina in Portsmouth (at New England Boatworks) and at Sail Newport at Fort Adams State Park, bringing the total to 4 Marina Trash Skimmers operating across Aquidneck Island.
- August 2016: First 2 units installed at Perrotti Park, Newport Harbor, collecting 6,000 lbs in 4 months
- 2017: $66,370 grant from 11th Hour Racing funded 2 additional units at Melville Marina and Sail Newport
- 166 site visits conducted for debris monitoring and community science data collection
- Partnerships with City of Newport, Sail Newport, RI DEM, New England Boatworks, and 11th Hour Racing
The Results
The 4 Marina Trash Skimmers across Aquidneck Island have stopped over 30,000 lbs of trash from leaving Narragansett Bay, with more than 27,000 individual items documented through the community science program. In 2018 alone, the skimmers removed 5,885 lbs and 4,223 individual items. Analysis confirmed that 60-70% of collected debris was single-use plastic, providing critical data for advocacy efforts.
Beyond debris collection, the program educated 959 individuals through site visits, school programs, and community events. The program received media coverage from Newport Buzz, Soundings Magazine, ecoRI News, and 11th Hour Racing. It has become a replicable model demonstrating how technology, nonprofit leadership, and community engagement can combine to address the marine debris crisis at a local level.
The skimmer is the last line of defense for our oceans, and each installation allows for open, positive and forward-thinking conversation of how to solve the local and global problem of litter and marine debris. Marine debris is a time sensitive issue impacting ocean health and is a solvable problem that starts with smart choices on land.Dave McLaughlin, Executive Director, Clean Ocean Access
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