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EDUCATION AND TRAINING 178 ping industry audiences. The establishment of the MDIOs has accomplished one fundamental government objective, by making information available to not only the general public but also other educators and specific maritime communities. An example of a cooperatively produced project distributed through the MDIOs is a grade-school curriculum, U.S.S. My School, developed by the CMC with Navy funding. Students pretend they are on board an aircraft carrier for a week and must develop plans to manage garbage. Techniques learned through this curriculum can be applied in the students' homes. Sea Grant Activities The MERP effort spawned related work within the National Sea Grant College Program, which funds some 29 programs involving approximately 300 colleges, universities, and marine research institutions. Most programs address marine debris issues through research, outreach, and education (e.g., Liffman, 1987; Louisiana State University Sea Grant Program, 1987, 1989). Annex V activities include beach cleanup efforts, marina recycling programs, and MARPOL information programs. Sea Grant offices produce their own brochures, radio spots, videos, and bibliographies; they also disseminate materials produced by others. Sea Grant's Marine Advisory Service supports several hundred coastal marine extension agents,1 who transfer information and technologies to marine users, especially fishermen and boaters, in most U.S. ports. Among other marine pollution education activities, agents have worked to persuade fishermen in Oregon, New Jersey, and other states to return plastic garbage to port. But there are clearly opportunities for this program to include more Annex V-related activities, particularly in work with commercial and recreational fishermen. Agents also could work with local governments and agencies to reduce littering by beach goers. Efforts Targeting Boaters Through the annual National Safe Boating Week campaign (see sidebar), the Coast Guard taps into 25,000 volunteer coordinators who run local boat safety campaigns, staff booths at boat shows and fairs, develop relationships with the press and local employers, and conduct other types of education and outreach. Since 1989, these activities have involved Annex V materials developed by the CMC. In 1991, the federal government funded the reprinting of existing Annex V educational materials for distribution through the Coast Guard Auxiliary, a group of boat owners who voluntarily help foster boating safety. These packets were 1 There were 284 local agents and university-based specialists in 1992 (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 1993).
