About the Program
National Marine Sanctuary Program
Marine debris is one of the most pervasive problems plaguing the world’s oceans and waterways, and often presents a serious problem in the form of trash, litter and fishing gear on our beaches. The U.S. system of national marine sanctuaries is not immune to the issue.
Below is a cross-section of projects currently undertaken in the nation’s marine sanctuaries.
Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary - Each year, over 300 volunteers contribute thousands of hours to collection of marine debris from the 65-mile shoreline of Olympic National Park and Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary.
Begun in 1996 as a volunteer initiative to commemorate Earth Day, the Olympic Coast Cleanup has expanded to include cleanups along the entire Pacific Coast of Washington. This outpouring of support for environmental stewardship results annually in removing over 30,000 lbs of plastics, wood, fishing gear, rubber, glass and other flotsam from one of the few designated coastal wilderness areas in the lower 48 states.
The Olympic Coast Cleanup is supported annually by over 30 organizations, including local and tribal governments, non-profit organizations, companies, associations and federal agencies. Visit www.olympiccoast.noaa.gov/AboutUs/news/welcome.html to learn more about marine debris removal programs at the Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary.
The Olympic Coast Derelict Fishing Gear Pilot Project is a multi-level project to assess and remove the derelict fishing gear (DFG) from this sanctuary consists of assessment, education/training, and eventual removal of DFG. The Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary has observed the presence of derelict fishing gear in the course of remotely-operated vehicle surveys of the sanctuary. There is substantial information about widespread derelict gear in this area, some of which has been reported as an imminent threat to marine mammals.
Northwestern Hawaiian Islands - The National Marine Sanctuaries Program (NMSP) is working in conjunction with the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Coral Reef Ecosystem Reserve to designate the reserve as a national marine sanctuary under the National Marine Sanctuaries Act. During this time the NMSP has been a partner with the National Marine Fisheries Service in debris removal programs and activities. Visit the Northwestern/Main Hawaiian Islands Marine Debris Removal Project page to learn more.
Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary - In the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, Adopt-A-Reef, a coastal cleanup, took place April 16-30, 2005. This event was co-sponsored by the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, The Ocean Conservancy and local dive operators. Divers received discounts on boat and gear rental fees. The sanctuary provide clean up equipment so the divers could remove monofilament fishing line as well as trash.
This program is housed within NOAA's Ocean Service.
