EcoWB Joins Global Partnership on Marine Litter
April 5, 2021

In March 2021, EcoWB became a member organization of the Global Partnership on Marine Litter (GPML) which came out of the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development in 2012, bringing together those engaged in preventing marine litter to protect the marine environment, human well-being, and fauna. This stakeholder network provides a platform for learning, sharing, and research, as well as development of policies and regional efforts and agreements.

With a mission of supporting communities to not only address environmental issues, but also human health and ecology, this is an opportunity for EcoWB to learn more about this topic through their mailing list and webinars and weave this component into the projects that we support. We are currently exploring the possibility of engaging in projects that address marine litter.

What is Marine Debris Litter?

Marine litter is an issue affecting waterways around the world, with approximately 80 percent coming from land-based sources (e.g., manufacturing, litter, poor solid waste management, etc.) and 20 percent from water-based sources (e.g., aquaculture, fishing, and shipping). This is not only an environmental issue; it also has economic and human health costs that need to be addressed.

The marine litter problem is only increasing, and there is concern that there may be more plastic in the oceans than fish by the year 2050. There are floating islands of plastic at the ocean’s surface, and it also is making its way to the depths of the oceans, fragmenting into smaller pieces that are found in substrate and beaches, as well as into seabirds, fish, turtles, and whales. Impacted fish and shellfish are now in our food supply. Animals are becoming entangled in ghost nets and plastic 6-pack rings. Corals are being broken and smothered. Ship propellers are catching nets and fishing lines. River banks, estuaries, and beaches are polluted and require continuous cleanup. And tourism is being affected by the aesthetics of this waste.

Developing Project Concepts

Two of our partners on the Mulegé Sustainable Fisheries Project—La Fundación Hagamos Mas por Santa Rosalía (FHMSR) and the Instituto Tecnológico Superior de Mulegé (ITESME)—have expressed interest in collaborating with EcoWB on a marine debris education and abatement project in the Gulf of California, where massive amounts of litter, including various forms of plastic, has accumulated. EcoWB is looking for volunteers to work with FHMSR, ITESME, and local fishermen to develop a plan to clean up local beaches, educate local residents, and reduce the amount of “throw-away” items that end up in the Gulf of California. The project would initially take place in Santa Rosalia and surrounding communities and, if successful, be replicated in other areas. The long-term goal is to work with other communities and NGOs throughout the region to promote a “litter-free” Gulf.

We are also currently developing a collaboration with 4P Shore and Seas, a French NGO, to assess microplastic pollution on beaches. 4P Shore and Seas has conducted some work in France utilizing participative research protocols, including beach transects and cleanups to raise awareness and engage citizens, and hopes to expand their activities in collaboration with EcoWB. We look forward to sharing details in the near future.

 

For more information

If you are interested in this general topic, or have specific marine litter projects or ideas that EcoWB can help you implement, please contact EcoWB’s volunteer GPML point person Rebekah Padgett at rpadgett7@gmail.com. Details about the GPML can be found at https://www.unenvironment.org/explore-topics/oceans-seas/what-we-do/addressing-land-based-pollution/global-partnership-marine. 

 

Managing the Mangroves of Jiquilisco Bay: Science, Collaboration, and Community

November 5, 2025
Since 2023 EcoWB has been contributing its technical expertise to a multi-phase restoration initiative led by Asociación Mangle and the Mangrove Action Project in El Salvador’s Jiquilisco Bay, one of Central America’s largest and most diverse mangrove ecosystems. Together, these organizations and our technical collaborators aim to conserve, restore, and sustainably manage this globally significant ecosystem that supports biodiversity and local livelihoods. Its mangroves are globally important in sequestering carbon to mitigate the effects of climate change. Jiquilisco Bay, located on the Pacific coast of southeastern El Salvador, is a place of exceptional natural richness and ecological importance. Recognized as both a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and a Ramsar Wetland of International Importance, it is home to one of Central America’s largest and most diverse mangrove forests, covering more than 20,000 hectares. These mangroves form the heart of the Jiquilisco Bay Biosphere Reserve, which spans around 400 km². It includes a mosaic of bays, channels, sandy beaches, islands, freshwater lagoons, and coastal forests. The reserve stretches along 50 kilometers of coastline between the Lempa River and the Jucuarán mountain range. The mangroves of Jiquilisco Bay—dominated by red, black, white, and buttonwood mangrove species—play a vital role in keeping the coast alive and protected. They reduce erosion, lessen storm impacts, and filter pollutants, acting as natural shields for coastal communities. Beneath their tangled roots, they are habitat for an astonishing variety of life, including fish, crabs, and sea turtles, such as the hawksbill, green, olive ridley, and leatherback, which are at risk of extinction. Above the water line they are vital for birds and other terrestrial animals. Beyond their ecological value, these mangroves are deeply connected to local communities, supporting fisheries, providing food and materials, and sustaining livelihoods. The project’s first phase focused on understanding trends in mangrove distribution and some of the factors influencing their health. Using Landsat satellite data and advanced machine learning techniques, EcoWB helped develop high-resolution maps of mangrove cover spanning three decades. This analysis identified key influences on mangrove viability, such as proximity to agriculture, urban expansion, elevation, soil conditions, and temperature. Building on that foundation, EcoWB supported a detailed assessment of mangrove cover changes and corresponding health and analysis of canopy height and aboveground biomass during a ten-year period (2016–2025) using Sentinel satellite and LiDAR data. The height and biomass (plant material) can be related to health, age, species composition, and site characteristics. The study underscored the need for continued protection, hydrological restoration, and community stewardship to strengthen ecosystem resilience. EcoWB is now helping translate that information into action through the creation of an open-source, interactive web platform. This tool will enable Asociación Mangle, the Mangrove Action Project, NGOs, government agencies, and local communities to visualize mangrove health trends and help identify priority conservation and restoration areas. Through knowledge transfer, EcoWB and its partners aim to empower local communities to make informed, science-based decisions for the long-term management of Jiquilisco Bay. This initiative demonstrates how collaboration, innovation, and community leadership can come together to safeguard one of Central America’s most vital coastal ecosystems. By combining cutting-edge science with local knowledge, EcoWB and its partners are helping ensure that Jiquilisco Bay’s mangroves—and the communities that depend on them—continue to thrive for generations to come. 

Supporting Those in Need During Uncertain Times

By Becky Muston • June 4, 2025
As a volunteer-supported ecological assistance organization, EcoWB contributes to the vital work of the international aid community—supporting humanitarian and conservation efforts where ecological expertise can make a meaningful difference. In recent months, critical funding and staffing for international aid once provided through U.S. government programs have been withdrawn. The effects are already visible: environmental and humanitarian programs paused, local teams let go, and progress at risk of stalling. Among the efforts most affected are those tackling biodiversity loss, habitat degradation, water pollution, and climate change—areas where EcoWB has long provided professional expertise and hands-on project support. In response, we’re actively looking for opportunities to support projects that need ecological guidance or technical capacity to keep going. With our global network of skilled volunteers, we’re well placed to step in where others no longer can. If you know of places, partners, or organizations where environmental needs are going unmet—or if you're looking to make a meaningful impact— we’d love to hear from you . We also encourage those with the means to do so to take a moment: research the organizations struggling on the frontlines, see where funding may have been cut, and consider offering your support. Now more than ever, action matters—whether it’s donating, volunteering, or simply amplifying the work that still needs doing.