About the Program
Quantifying Marine Debris in the Eastern Tropical Pacific Ocean
Pacific Region; 2006
This project placed two seabird observers aboard each of two NOAA research vessels that conducted cetacean and ecosystem assessment surveys in the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean in the fall of 2006. These observers collected data on distribution and abundance of marine debris, concurrently with data on seabirds. Both types of data are ideally quantified along a transect line using strip transect methods. This methodology has been in place aboard these cruises since 1988 and well-established protocols, data entry and edit programs, as well as highly trained observers are used.
The outcome are a comprehensive data set documenting distribution and abundance of marine debris for a tropical oceanic area which includes the territorial waters of 12 foreign nations (including U.S. waters off southern California and around the main Hawaiian Islands), the high seas, and three major surface currents. Past surveys indicate that the density of marine debris in this region varies spatially and is relatively high in shelf or nearshore waters of most countries (U.S. included) and convergence zones such as the Equatorial Front.
This program is housed within NOAA Fisheries' Southwest Fisheries Science Center and is funded through NOAA's Ocean Service, Office of Response & Restoration, Marine Debris Program.
