About the Program
Marine Debris Monitoring and Education
A west coast partnership with at sea surveys and educators to use seabirds as indicators of plastic pollution.
Pacific Region; 2006
Background | Project Scope | Results
Background
Currently the Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuary conducts monthly surveys in Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuary to assess the distribution and abundance of marine birds and mammals relative to long-term changes in ocean conditions, seasons, biological productivity, and human use patterns. Although ocean-based debris is commonly noted during these surveys, there has been no attempt to collect data on the quantity and seasonal abundance of this debris.
Project Scope
This project monitored debris in the Cordell Bank, Gulf of the Farallones and Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary during at-sea surveys and expanded these surveys to include Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary and Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary. The long-term goal of this effort is coordinate with the NOAA Marine Debris Program and Gulf of the Farallones National Marine Sanctuary to have all data compiled into a multi-sanctuary database for on-line availability and querying by National Marine Sanctuary personnel, HAZMAT response teams, and the general public. The information gathered from at sea monitoring is being incorporated into a Plastic Pollution Prevention Education Program and will strengthen and expand the innovative public outreach education programs initiated in 2005.
Results
This project enhanced coastal clean-up efforts and increased awareness of the critical need to prevent plastic-pollution. They reached approximately 50-80 teachers through a local teacher workshop and presentations at the California Science Teacher Association conference, 100’s of public participants in volunteer beach-cleanup efforts, and 300 docents who communicate with visitors on beaches on a daily basis.
This program is housed within NOAA's Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuary and is funded through NOAA's Ocean Service, Office of Response & Restoration, Marine Debris Program.
