Posted on September 14, 2026
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New York, NY – The North American Marine Environment Protection Association (NAMEPA) is proud to announce the recipients of the 2026 Marine Environment Protection (MEP) Awards, recognizing individuals and organizations whose leadership, innovation, and commitment are making a meaningful impact on the protection of the marine environment.
For nearly two decades, NAMEPA’s MEP Awards have honored leaders across the maritime community who are taking action to protect our oceans and waterways. This year’s recipients represent the breadth of that commitment, bringing together leaders from industry, education, ports, nonprofit organizations, and the maritime community whose work is helping shape a safer, stronger, and more environmentally responsible future for maritime.
2026 Marine Environment Protection Award Recipients
- Environmental Innovation Award: Carbon Capture Machine
- Carbon Capture Machine is being recognized for its innovative CO₂ capture technology, which converts vessel emissions into stable mineral products and offers a practical pathway for reducing emissions and protecting the marine environment.
- Maritime Industry Award: ABS and Resolve Marine
- ABS is being recognized for its leadership in advancing marine environment protection through innovative technologies and technical expertise that support cleaner and more sustainable maritime operations.
- Resolve Marine is being recognized for more than 40 years of marine environment protection, including the recovery of more than 96,000 tons of debris across 17 countries in 2025 and innovative ecosystem restoration efforts.
- Sustainability Award: Carnival Corporation
- Carnival Corporation is being recognized for its commitment to marine environment protection through mangrove restoration, wetland preservation, waste reduction, and coastal cleanup efforts at Celebration Key.
- Port Award: Port of San Diego
- The Port of San Diego is being recognized for sustained leadership in protecting and restoring San Diego Bay through clean maritime initiatives, habitat restoration, environmental education, and community partnerships, including 80% completion of its Maritime Clean Air Strategy objectives, a $2.9 million investment in habitat-friendly shoreline projects, and environmental education reaching approximately 500,000 students.
- Lifetime Achievement Award: Joe Hughes, The American P&I Club
- Honored for his distinguished career in the commercial maritime industry, but also for his unfettered support of NAMEPA as both a Board member and, for the past 10 years, its Chairman.
- Individual Award: Vice Admiral Gautier
- Vice Admiral Peter Gautier is being recognized for 37 years of leadership in the U.S. Coast Guard, with a distinguished career advancing marine environmental prevention, preparedness, and response, including leadership during the Deepwater Horizon response and major national and maritime security operations.
- Maritime Academies, Harbor Schools, Universities Award: Marimed Foundation
- The Marimed Foundation is being recognized for its innovative approach to maritime education, providing free hands-on training aboard a wind-powered vessel while equipping the next generation of mariners with essential skills and a strong commitment to protecting the marine environment.
- Non-Profit Environmental Award: New England Science and Sailing (NESS)
- New England Science & Sailing Foundation (NESS) is being recognized for 25 years of advancing marine environmental education through hands-on, ocean-based learning, serving more than 50,000 students, partnering with 117+ schools and community organizations, and awarding $9 million in scholarships to expand access to marine education.
- Government, Federal, State or Local Environmental Organization: Victoria Island Waterways
- The Victoria Island Waterways Safety Committee (VIWSC) is being recognized for its innovative, community-driven approach to marine environment protection, bringing together Inuit knowledge, local communities, science, and government to promote responsible marine transportation and protect Arctic ecosystems and livelihoods.
“Each year, the NAMEPA Board of Directors are challenged to vote on the merits of the Marine Environment Protection Award submissions, and each year it gets more difficult as the scope and commitment to this goal is being met and exceeded” stated NAMEPA Co-Founder and CEO Carleen Lyden Walker. “This year exceeded the requirements and made voting more of a “Solomon-like” decision as the merits of all were extraordinary!”
The awardees will be celebrated at NAMEPA’s Annual Conference & Awards Dinner on October 29, 2026, in New York City. The event will bring together maritime executives, industry leaders, educators, and students for an evening of recognition, connection, and meaningful dialogue around the future of maritime and the shared responsibility to protect our marine environment.
For more information on NAMEPA and the 2026 MEP Awards, visit the 2026 NAMEPA Annual Conference and Awards Dinner
About NAMEPA
The North American Marine Environment Protection Association (NAMEPA) is a maritime industry-led organization preserving the marine environment by promoting resilient maritime industry best practices and educating seafarers, students and the public about the need and strategies for protecting global ocean, lake and river resources. For more information www.namepa.net
