Mission

​EDUCATING THE YOUTH AND COMMUNITY ABOUT MARINE DEBRIS THROUGH HANDS-ON FIELD RESEARCH EXPERIENCE, LOCALLY IN CALIFORNIA AND INTERNATIONALLY. 

Ocean Debris Management Initiative arose from the need for scientific research, education and outreach due to the rising problems caused by ocean debris.
​
ODMI was created by an undergraduate marine science researcher. The summer of the its founding, researchers collaborated with One People One Reef and Bluecology and set out on a research expedition to the Federated States of Micronesia, researchers and students were appalled by the amount of trash that covered the coastlines. Even uninhabited islands were affected by anthropogenic waste. While in Micronesia, a growing connection with the community was developing and knew they deserved a better waste management system, plan and immediate solutions. So our team began to wonder how could we-in the United States- help the people on these remote islands.

After banding together with fellow marine scientists, ocean lovers, surfers and scuba divers, ODMI began to get it’s footing. We have created a large citizen-science research and educational program. Since our team mostly consisted of students, we understand the importance of education and investing in the future.

We began reaching out to high schools and middle schools to teach the youth about marine debris and how their trash could one day possibly litter the beaches of Micronesia (many of them have never even heard of the country!). Our team at ODMI also understands the value of hands-on experience, so we began to guide the children to completing real scientific research with our team on local beaches.

This brings us up to date on the life of Ocean Debris Management Initiative. We will continue to fight for clean beaches and healthy oceans here in Monterey County and Santa Cruz County so far partnering with, LiMPETS, Camp SEA Lab and the Monterey Bay Aquarium. We have partnered with One People One Reef , Bluecology when working in the remote islands of Micronesia.
​
Battling marine debris around the world is our goal and it’s everybody’s responsibility. So help take on this challenge

Fuller Gerbl
Chief Executive Officer

Photo: Connor Greenwood

Researcher’s conducting marine debris surveys on the island of Mog Mog, led by Fuller Gerbl and Connor Greenwood.

Help us to keep our beach clean for generations to come!