Building off the talks from this session, this panel discussion provides a platform for dialogue and collaboration among ecologists, engineers, chemists, physicists, oceanographers, social scientists, environmental educators, community collaborators, and policymakers.  By bridging disciplines and sectors, including academia, industry, and government, we aim to advance understanding of the Gulf’s unique vulnerabilities and accelerate the development of practical, scalable solutions for reducing microplastic pollution. Through shared knowledge and collective effort, this discussion seeks to chart a path toward a cleaner, more resilient, and sustainable Gulf Coast.